***The debate was watched by the author and reported on based on said viewing.
On Oct. 1, 2024, vice presidential candidates Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, and JD Vance, Ohio Senator, debated in New York City, hosted by CBS News. The debate began at 9 p.m. and lasted until 10:47 p.m. CBS noted that they reserve the right to mute the microphones. Like the presidential debate, there was no live audience in the studio. Prior to the start of the debate, NBC News speculated on the debate. They listed abortion, immigration and the economy as the top issues facing voters.
The debate opened on the issue of increasing conflict in the Middle East, particularly in regards to Iran’s recent attack on Israel. Walz began by emphasizing both Israel’s right to defend itself and the need to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He immediately targeted Trump’s age and Vance’s own comments about Trump’s fitness for office, saying that stable leadership is needed to address foreign policy. Walz favored maintaining strong alliances and traditional foreign policy, particularly focusing on how the U.S. handles dictators. Vance strayed from the topic and began Iran nuclear deal with a lengthy introduction detailing his background and highlighting his roots being raised by a single parent and working hard to get where he is now, stating that under Trump, the “American Dream” would once again be achievable. Vance, similar to his running mate Donald Trump in the presidential debate, pointed out how under Trump, there were less global conflicts, claiming that Trump had established “effective deterrence.” He, according to NBC, misleadingly claimed that the Biden administration unfroze “$100 billion” worth of assets to Iran, empowering them to be able to attack Israel, a U.S. ally. The unfreezing of assets was part of thebrokered by the Obama administration in 2015 in order to prevent Iran from developing its own nuclear program, as noted by AP News. When asked about whether or not he would support a pre-emptive strike on Iran by Israel, Vance stated that he would leave it up to the Israeli government to decide. Walz pointed out that Trump had exited the Iran nuclear deal and criticized Trump’s responses to foreign issues, as he “tweeted” about Iran shooting down an American aircraft and downplayed the claims of U.S. soldiers that they had traumatic brain injuries after a nearby Iranian missile strike as “headaches,” which was further discussed in a Washington Post article.
The candidates were next questioned on Hurricane Helene, which has devastated parts of the Southeastern U.S, as well as potential responses to climate change and climate effects on storm severity. Vance again touched on his supposed Appalachian roots, citing a need for a strong federal response and touting his support for clean air and water initiatives. He called concerns about carbon emissions “weird science,” according to NBC, and suggested that a better U.S. response for climate change would be to strengthen domestic energy production and manufacturing, falsely claiming that the U.S. has the “cleanest economy in the entire world” and emphasized a need for more natural gas production, according to NBC News. Vance falsely claimed that Biden administration policies were responsible for raising energy prices. Walz showed support for a state-based response, with the federal government providing funds to the state governments to address recovery and disaster relief. He criticized Trump for calling climate change a “hoax,” and NBC noted that Vance responded by suggesting Harris doesn’t believe in climate change either, despite there being no evidence that is true. Walz also criticized Trump inviting oil industry executives to his Mar-a-Lago home in order to suggest that he would dismantle pollution regulations from the Biden administration and suggesting that the executives raise $1 billion for his campaign. Walz highlighted Biden era administration clean energy policies under the Inflation Reduction Act and the jobs it created for the economy, although slightly exaggerating the estimated figure, as well as efforts to “weather proof” vulnerable areas, as reported by NBC. He pointed out the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act on the economy, such as the all-time high domestic clean and traditional energy production.
Immigration, a key issue among voters, sparked arguments regarding the fentanyl crisis and responses. Vance directly blamed Harris for the fentanyl crisis and touted false immigration statistics, despite there not being evidence for this in accordance with Fact Check.org. Walz responded by pointing out that, in Vance’s home state of Ohio, deaths from fentanyl use, as also reported by CBS, have dropped over the last 12 months. Vance criticized the Biden administration for suspending deportation policies and claimed that a Trump administration would “build the wall,” referencing the border wall Donald Trump promised in his 2016 presidential campaign, and carry out “mass deportations,” but dodged questions regarding the specifics of this plan. Walz criticized the villainization of immigrants, citing hostilities towards Haitian immigrants in Springfield, OH, after claims from Trump falsely claimed that immigrants were “eating resident’s pets,” according to NBC. He also criticized Trump opposing a bipartisan immigration bill in order to make it an issue for his platform, saying that Trump had a four year term and did not manage to close the border in that time. Walz, in regards to the bill, called for all people to be treated with dignity by making a rare reference to his religion and citing the gospel of Matthew: “To the least amongst us, you do unto me (25:40).” He praised Harris for her record of prosecuting transnational gangs and crimes. When asked about family separation policies, Vance misleadingly, as reported by CBS, claimed that Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) had “lost” 320,000 children under Harris, but did not provide any notable goals or policies regarding family separation. The section ended with both candidates arguing and Vance attempting to speak over the moderators, resulting in mics being muted.
The economy is another issue that is on the top of voter’s lists. Walz again focused on Harris’ policy goals to uplift the middle class through housing down payment assistance and tax credits, as well as to increase domestic manufacturing jobs. He criticized Trump for providing tax cuts to the wealthy, creating a large trade deficit between the U.S. and China, and falsely claimed that Trump had paid “no” taxes in 15 years, although Trump did not pay any federal tax in 2020 according to a House Ways and Means Committee report. Walz showed support for the right to collective bargaining and progressive income tax. Both Vance and Walz expressed support for preventing jobs from being sent overseas. Vance promoted American self-reliance and criticized Harris for increased inflation and cost of living under the Biden administration, claiming that under Trump, Americans had higher take home pay. When asked about the Wharton School’s estimates that Harris’ plan would increase the national deficit by $1.2 trillion and Trump’s by $5.8 trillion, Walz did not directly address the concerns and Vance showed a disdain of expert opinions, claiming that they had been “wrong” about Trump’s first term.
When asked about their leadership qualities, Walz was questioned on his claim that he had been present in China during the Tiananmen Square protests, in which he admitted he had “misspoke,” but did believe that his travels had given him a better understanding, which he felt Trump lacked. Vance was asked about his previous comments that Trump could be “America’s Hitler.” He said that “[he] was wrong about Trump” and blamed fabricated media stories for his previous beliefs, citing the strength of the economy under Trump.
Abortion and reproductive rights proved to also be a hot issue between the candidates. Walz brought his own record as Minnesota Governor, referring to Minnesota’s high healthcare rankings and its broad abortion laws, according to US News and NBC News respectively. Walz promoted the rights of an individual to choose for themselves what is best and condemned laws that criminalize abortion providers, mentioning Amanda Zurawski, who, according to BBC, was denied an abortion and contracted septic shock as a result. Walz also referenced Amber Thurman, who died after being unable to receive medical care after an incomplete abortion, according to ProPublica.org. Walz attempted to tie Vance and Trump to Project 2025, which he incorrectly claimed called for a “registry of pregnancies,” and Vance refuted the claim, saying he was pro-IVF. Vance stated that he “never supported a national [abortion] ban,” despite him saying he would support one in Jan. 2022, and that the issue was a matter of state’s rights. He did express support for a minimum national standard regarding abortion and a “partial birth abortion ban,” claiming that Minnesota’s abortion law allows for doctors to not “provide lifesaving care to a baby who survives a botched late-term abortion,” which Walz denied, as noted by Snope. Walz rebutted by pointing out the rise in maternal mortality rates in states like Texas with abortion bans, stating that individual rights should not be determined based on state and that his platform is “pro-women.”
Gun violence was the next topic of the debate. Vance said that, as a parent, the U.S. “[has] to do better” and promoted increasing the security of schools to address school shootings. Walz rebutted by arguing that their first responsibility was to the safety of children over the second amendment. He referenced Finland, a nation with high rates of gun ownership but not similar rates of gun violence. When asked about his change in position regarding gun regulation, Walz admitted that he had been against gun reform until he met the parents of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting and is now calling for an assault weapons ban alongside Harris. Vance claimed that the “gross majority” of U.S. gun violence is caused by illegally obtained firearms due to Biden’s border policy and by the mental health crisis. Walz refused to place blame on the mental health crisis, stating it created too much of a “stigma” around mental illness.
The housing crisis is vital to both platforms. Vance said that he supported Trump’s plan to seize federal lands to build more homes and reduce federal regulations on home building, and Walz supported Harris’ $25,000 down payment assistance plan. Walz argued that federal lands weren’t a viable option as federal lands aren’t available all over the country and it would likely affect national parks. Vance also suggested that some of the housing crisis is due to illegal immigrants competing with Americans for housing, which is lacking context, as noted by NBC. Walz rebutted by pointing out that at the federal level, there aren’t that many construction regulations, and again raised concerns about blaming immigrants for the housing shortage, instead criticizing speculators purchasing houses and properties.
Vance was questioned about Trump’s “concept of a plan” regarding healthcare. He criticized the Affordable Care Act and claimed that Trump had to “salvage” the ACA, which is false, according to PolitiFact. He promoted increasing the number of options available to the public. Walz touted the benefits of the ACA, such as protection for those with pre-existing conditions. When asked directly about his plan to protect pre-existing conditions without the ACA, Vance did not provide specifics on how this would apply to private insurance.
When asked about family leave policies, Walz backed paid family medical leave while Vance promoted a “family care model” that could be adapted to each unique family need. Vance did not specify what a family care model looks like. Family is a large part of both candidates' platforms, but neither candidate was able to give a number for a mandatory minimum number of weeks.
The next issue was acceptance of election results. When asked whether he would certify the election results even if Trump lost in November, Vance avoided answering and instead criticized Harris for “censorship.” Vance went on to point out that election concerns had been present at every other major election, and that Trump ultimately did leave peacefully on Jan. 10, 2021, saying he only wanted to have a “peaceful debate” about the election results. Walz criticized Vance’s “non-answer” and said that the role of the vice president is to uphold the peaceful transfer of power, invoking former Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to certify the election result which may have led to him being removed from the ticket.
In closing statements, Walz focused on the “opportunity economy” promised by Harris, touting Harris’ growing coalition of supporters and their “optimism” and “positivity.” He also emphasized his stance in favor of individual rights and concluded by claiming that Vance would be loyal to Trump, not the office of Vice President. Vance’s closing statement was arguably more negative, criticizing the current economy and rising costs under Harris. He argued that Harris was already vice president, and questioned why she hadn’t already carried out her platform. This was a common point throughout the night, with Vance calling the Biden administration the “Harris administration,” despite her not being the current
Compared to the previous debate, there was notably only one incident where mics had to be shut off to allow the debate to move on. Candidates made a point to show their agreement with each other throughout and avoided directly attacking each other. This debate is likely the last one of the 2024 election season, as former president Donald Trump has declined to participate in another debate, according to CNN.
By Lola Mestas, Copy Editor
Graphic by Shae-Lynn Henderson, EIC
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