JD Vance and Tim Walz Spar as Nov. 5th Draws Near

Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Republican and Democratic nominees for Vice President, respectively, went head-to-head in their first — and likely only — debate ahead of the rapidly approaching and highly anticipated 2024 presidential election.

The debate, which was held in New York City on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 9 p.m., was moderated by CBS News contributors Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.

Topics of discussion for the evening ranged from abortion access and healthcare availability to gun violence prevention and preservation of democracy.

Vance and Walz received two minutes to respond to each question and two minutes per rebuttal, with additional time to clarify positions being provided at the discretion of the moderators.

Common themes included Vance and Walz each placing blame on the policies and actions of the other’s running mate on various issues. Additionally, Vance brought up his challenging upbringing, while Walz mentioned successes in Minnesota during his tenure as governor.

The night began with discussion of unrest in the Middle East, specifically escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Vance stated that “it is up to Israel what they think they need to do to keep their country safe,” with Walz agreeing that Israel’s rights to defend itself and retrieve hostages were “fundamental.”

The next topic was climate change, which O’Donnell connected to Hurricane Helene, which at the time had directly caused more than 160 fatalities and hundreds of disappearances.

Vance voiced support for investment in domestic energy production and suggested carbon emissions were largely responsible, criticizing Harris’s policies leading to reliance on foreign energy. Walz countered by pointing to advances in natural gas, oil, and clean energy production, including the establishment of a massive solar manufacturing plant in Minnesota.

During the next topic, the Mexico–United States border crisis, Vance expressed a need to “stop the bleeding,” prioritize deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, and address the related fentanyl crisis. Walz expressed support for a bill but disapproved of trying to “dehumanize and villainize other human beings,” such as Haitian migrants in Ohio.

Around this time, Vance accused the moderators of fact-checking him despite both campaigns agreeing not to allow this, resulting in the only instance of the candidates’ microphones being cut off in the entire debate, which lasted about one hour and 40 minutes.

On the subject of abortion, Vance acknowledged that the issue had been a setback for Republicans and recommended allowing states to determine how much access should be provided, if any. Walz disagreed with the matter being “determined on geography,” noting multiple anecdotes of young women having to travel across states to receive abortions, and supported leaving the decision up to women and their doctors.

Addressing school shootings, Vance acknowledged that numerous children will experience “this terrible epidemic of gun violence,” but argued for focusing on increasing security in schools, saying most of these acts are committed with illegally obtained firearms.

Walz, referring to the issue as the “biggest nightmare” for many parents watching the debate, revealed that his 17-year-old son had experienced a shooting at a community center. Although Walz agreed with Vance that mental health can be a factor, he disapproved of using it as a “scapegoat,” saying that “sometimes, it just is the guns.”

Subsequent topics included addressing a housing shortage and high housing crisis, lowering energy prices, and securing access to health insurance, especially for Americans with pre-existing conditions.

As the debate neared its end, Vance insisted the true “threat to democracy” was “the threat of censorship,” which has caused division between Americans over political disagreements. Vance also touted bipartisan endorsements from former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, both Independents.

Walz, on the other hand, highlighted the violence against police officers during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack, as well as a threat of violence against his own residence on the same day, concluding that “a president’s words matter” and “democracy is bigger than winning an election.”

Both candidates used closing remarks to remind viewers about key issues such as abortion and the economy, and along with the moderators, encouraged everyone to “get out and vote.”

According to the media analytics company Nielsen, the debate was watched by more than 43 million viewers. Polls by CNN, CBS News, and Politico found that Americans were nearly equally divided on who won the debate, with each margin of difference being no more than 2%.

Additionally, polls from the BBC and CBS News found that voters found the tone of the debate “generally positive,” especially in comparison to the first and only presidential debate between Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, which took place in Philadelphia on Sept. 10 and was moderated by ABC News.

Both debates can be viewed in their entirety on YouTube, courtesy of multiple publications. Voters will decide their next president, vice president, and various other elected officials on Election Day, Nov. 5.