Answer 1: Lift and drag in a climb are less than in level flight at the same speed.
Answer 2: Yes, with qualifications. The normal drag curves are for level flight and therefore based on one specific weight/lift. In a climb lift is less than in level flight so the speeds taken from the level flight curves are no longer accurate. At small angles of climb the error is small, but as climb angle increases from zero Vimd and best rate of climb speeds reduce, reaching zero in a vertical climb
Dick
Edit for typo