Vance Pitches Republican Megadonors on Eve of Debate

Senator JD Vance addressed some of the party’s biggest donors at a private sit-down before the American Opportunity Alliance.

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Senator JD Vance campaigning in mid-September in Eau Claire, Wis.

Senator JD Vance of Ohio took a break from debate preparation on Monday evening to make a direct pitch to the Republican Party’s billionaire class.

Appearing in a private dining room at the French restaurant Le Bernardin in Midtown Manhattan, Mr. Vance addressed some of the party’s biggest donors at a private sit-down before the American Opportunity Alliance, according to five people briefed on his remarks. Mr. Vance was interviewed by Reihan Salam, the head of the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the event was private.

The American Opportunity Alliance, a Wall Street-heavy crowd, includes some major Republican donors who are not yet backing former President Donald J. Trump and his running mate, Mr. Vance. Others, like Paul Singer, a leader of the group, are on board. Mr. Vance received some credit from some members for having shown up before a group that disagrees with some of his positions on the economy and foreign policy.

He spoke a bit about the vice-presidential debate, which is what brought him to New York this week. He was asked how he would be able to keep a straight face when engaging with Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, his Democratic opponent on Tuesday night, the people said. Mr. Vance pointed out Mr. Walz’s penchant for gesticulating, and said he would try to keep the focus on issues like the border, which Mr. Vance sees as a major liability for the Harris-Walz ticket, the people said.

Mr. Vance at one point joked that if he did well on Tuesday evening, it would be thanks to his wife, Usha, who joined the meeting. If he did poorly, he said the fault would be his alone, recalled one of the people.

Mr. Vance was asked how the ticket could build a broad coalition and appeal to more moderate Republicans, such as backers of Nikki Haley and Mitt Romney, two people said. Mr. Vance expressed a desire to win them back and asked for help. At multiple points, Mr. Vance acknowledged that some of his positions were probably not popular in the room, the people said.

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