Even amid the profound rancor and deep consequence of this political moment, it’s possible for Republicans and Democrats to exchange viewpoints with civility.

That was my main takeaway from Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate between Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN). While Vance seemed the stronger and more poised of the candidates, both men showed that personal insults and acrimony need not define an election. Considering the venom that defines hard-line supporters in both the Republican and Democratic parties today, the civility on display here deserves recognition. More importantly, its purveyors deserve credit.