This week on Race to the White House, Brendon O’Connor, Tom Switzer and Emma Lancaster look at the first and only 2016 vice-presidential debate. Although it was anticipated by social media to be a “vanilla thrilla”, the debate turned out to be spicier than expected and both Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence delivered some knockout one-liners.

But despite their efforts, do vice-presidential debates actually swing elections?

Also on the agenda: Donald Trump’s troublesome finances. His campaign has been hammered after the publication of documents in the New York Times that suggested he may have been able to escape paying income tax for nearly two decades.

Trump has based his campaign on his business success and high net worth, so will his run for the White House take a hit?

The Race to the White House podcast is a collaboration between the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, 2ser 107.3 and The Conversation.

Emma Lancaster is a multi-platform journalist, and is the producer of The Wire on 2ser 107.3. If you have questions about the podcast or have any suggestions about what we should discuss, contact Emma on Emma@2ser.com.

2ser 107.3 is a community radio station jointly owned by Macquarie University and the University of Technology, Sydney.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.