NEW YORK (Gray Media) – Vice presidential candidates Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) took the debate stage together Tuesday night for the first and likely only time this election cycle. For 90 minutes the two men sparred over policy, focusing most of their attacks on the opposing top of the ticket. The CBS moderated debate focused on a wide array of issues, beginning with the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Just hours after Iran fired 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, both candidates were asked about handling the escalating conflict.
“Donald Trump actually delivered stability in the world and he did it by establishing effective deterrence. People were afraid of stepping out of line,” said Vance.
“What’s fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter. It’s clear, and the world saw it on that debate stage a few weeks ago a nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd size is not what we need in this moment,” said Walz.
Then the conversation moved onto Hurricane Helene, its devastation, and the role of climate change in worsening storms.
“There’s no doubt this thing roared onto the scene faster and stronger than anything we’ve seen. Donald Trump calls it a hoax and then jokes that these things would make more beachfront property to be able to invest in,” said Walz.
“What the president has said is that if the Democrats, in particular Kamala Harris and her leadership, if they really believe climate change is serious, what they would be doing is more manufacturing and more energy production in the United States of America,” responded Vance.
Immigration, the economy, health care, abortion, and the 2020 election results were also addressed throughout the night. Both microphones remained on for most of the debate, a departure from the presidential debate rules.
The rule change allowed for several exchanges, including Walz asking Vance about who won the 2020 election. Vance did not directly answer his question.
Tuesday was the final time these campaigns are slated to square off in primetime with no other debates scheduled as of now. The race is neck in neck in national and battleground polls with just five weeks to election day.
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