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- Tim Walz and JD Vance faced off for their first and only vice presidential debate.
- This is likely the final debate of the 2024 election cycle, as Trump has declined to engage with Harris again.
- Here are some notable highlights from the evening’s discussion.
On Tuesday night, Senator JD Vance from Ohio and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota participated in their inaugural vice presidential debate.
This event marked the third general election debate of the 2024 campaign season, following a pivotal June 27 encounter that led to President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from contention, as well as a September face-off between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
The likelihood is high that this will be the last such confrontation before Election Day. Trump has made it clear he will not participate in further debates against Harris.
The evening provided both candidates an opportunity to present themselves to a broader audience while reinforcing their respective running mates’ campaign narratives.
Vance Showed Greater Poise Than Walz Initially
The opening question addressed tensions in the Middle East following an Iranian missile strike on Israel earlier that day. Both candidates were queried about their stance on supporting a preemptive Israeli attack against Iran.
Walz initially struggled with his response while reiterating Democrats’ traditional support for Israel’s right to self-defense alongside recognition of humanitarian issues affecting Gaza. At one point, he mistakenly stated that “the expansion of Israel and its proxies is an absolute fundamental necessity for the United States,” seemingly conflating Israel with Iran—whose proxies include groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
He then shifted focus towards criticizing Trump by stating that “a nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump discussing crowd sizes isn’t what we need at this moment,” without directly addressing whether he would endorse an Israeli strike against Iran.
In contrast, Vance began by sharing his personal background. “I understand many Americans may not be familiar with either candidate,” he remarked while recounting elements from his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.”
The senator later responded affirmatively regarding support for an Israeli strike if deemed necessary by Israel itself, asserting they should act according to what they believe is essential for national security. He also credited Trump’s administration with maintaining global stability through effective deterrence strategies during his tenure.
Walz and Vance Disagree on Climate Change Issues
Both candidates acknowledged Hurricane Helene’s devastating effects which resulted in severe flooding across parts of Southeast America. However, they diverged significantly when discussing climate change—a critical issue championed by Democrats but often downplayed by many Republican lawmakers who view it as exaggerated or overstated.
Initially appearing receptive to concerns about climate change, Vance stated: “Many people are understandably anxious about these erratic weather patterns.” He emphasized support for clean air and water but questioned whether carbon emissions were primarily responsible for climate change while advocating increased domestic energy production within U.S. borders instead.
< h3>“Farmers Recognize Climate Change Is Real”
< p > In response , Wal z praised t h e Inflation Reduction Act , which allocated significant investments toward clean energy initiatives . He criticized both Trump’s policies along with those supported by Va nce regarding environmental issues . “My farmers know climate change is real,” said Wa l z , drawing upon h i s experiences as governor o f Minnesota . “They’ve witnessed unprecedented droughts followed b y catastrophic floods.”
< p > The governor continued emphasizing t h e Biden-Harris administration’s achievements i n energy production: “We’re currently producing more natural gas , oil , a nd clean energy than ever before.”
Avoiding Immigration Questions Led To Mic Cuts
< p > During discussions surrounding immigration policy , Va nce was pressed f o r specifics regarding Trump’s mass deportation strategy — particularly concerning family separations involving undocumented parents whose children are citizens .
< p > Instead o f providing clarity , he deflected questions stating : “We already have massive child separations due t o Kamala Harris’ open border policies,” citing alleged instances related t o sex trafficking.
< p > When asked about Congress’ role i n shaping immigration legislation — where Wa l z advocated f or bipartisan efforts previously undermined b y Republicans — Va n ce reiterated : “Most issues stem from empowering law enforcement under our current president.”
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Debate Highlights: Tensions and Topics
The recent debate in Springfield took a heated turn when moderators pointed out that most Haitian migrants residing in the city are legally present in the country. This prompted Vance to engage in a contentious exchange with the moderators, who ultimately had to mute both his and Walz’s microphones as he attempted to explain the asylum process.
Incredible — Vance reacts angrily when his statements about constituents are challenged. His microphone gets cut off.
pic.twitter.com/PxZ4nmphNW— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar)
October 2, 2024
Economic Strategies Spark Debate on Expert Opinions
During discussions regarding their economic strategies, both candidates presented their usual arguments. Walz highlighted Harris’s “Opportunity Economy” initiatives, which include an expanded child tax credit and incentives for increased housing development.
Conversely, Vance urged voters to reflect on the economic conditions during Trump’s presidency, which he claimed were robust until disrupted by the pandemic. He contested assertions from experts suggesting that Trump’s policies would exacerbate national debt.
“They may hold PhDs,” Vance stated, “but they lack common sense and wisdom.” This led Walz to advocate for expert advice by saying, “If you require heart surgery, consult professionals at Mayo Clinic in Rochester rather than Donald Trump.”
Vance countered this by accusing experts of misleading Americans about offshoring manufacturing jobs over several decades. “Governor,” he said sharply, “you advocate trusting experts; however those same individuals have insisted for 40 years that outsourcing our manufacturing would lead to lower prices—this was false.”
Walz Faces Scrutiny Over Tiananmen Square Statements
The Minnesota governor faced questions regarding his past claims of being present in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989—a statement contradicted by newspaper reports indicating he did not arrive until after these events occurred. These assertions were made during a radio interview back in 2019 as well as at a congressional hearing held in 2014.
Pushed on this issue during the debate, Walz largely reverted to discussing his personal journey: “I have dedicated myself wholeheartedly to my community,” he remarked. “While I strive for excellence, I acknowledge my imperfections.” He continued with an admission: “I arrived there that summer but misspoke regarding my timeline.”
Gov. Tim Walz admits he "misspoke" about being present during Tiananmen Square protests after moderator points out evidence shows otherwise.
pic.twitter.com/IpXc26KOBx— CBS News (@CBSNews)
October 2, 2024
Vance Discusses Shift Toward ‘States Rights’ Abortion Stance
The Ohio senator addressed inquiries concerning his transition from advocating federal abortion restrictions towards endorsing a ‘states rights’ approach aligned with Donald Trump’s position.
Citing results from a recent referendum where Ohioans voted decisively to protect abortion rights within their state constitution—“The citizens of Ohio overwhelmingly opposed my previous stance,” Vance acknowledged—he emphasized that Republicans must work diligently to regain public trust on such issues.
Acknowledging Women’s Concerns About Unplanned Pregnancies
“Many young women aspire toward family life,” Vance noted thoughtfully. “However unplanned pregnancies can jeopardize their education and relationships—we need earn back their confidence.”
A Moment of Unity Amidst Gun Violence Discussion
This debate was marked by an unexpected moment of solidarity between candidates concerning gun violence issues.
This occurred when Walz shared how his son Gus witnessed a shooting incident while participating in volleyball at a community center.
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“Tim, first and foremost, I was unaware that your 17-year-old had witnessed a shooting. My condolences for that experience. May Christ have mercy.”
— JD Vance responds to Tim Walz’s revelation about his son witnessing a shooting at a community center
pic.twitter.com/Jgrl2tauQY — The Recount (@therecount)
October 2, 2024Throughout the discussion, both candidates maintained their distinct partisan stances on gun violence. Walz advocated for stricter gun-control measures while Vance focused on enhancing school security protocols.
“We need to improve the locking mechanisms on doors and reinforce them,” Vance stated. “The belief that we can simply eliminate firearms from those with malicious intent is unrealistic based on recent events.”
“Is it your desire for schools to resemble fortresses?” Walz countered later in the debate.
Housing Challenges vs. Energy Production Focus
A significant concern among voters today is the lack of affordable housing options. In numerous urban centers across the nation, many first-time homebuyers find themselves unable to afford homes in neighborhoods where they grew up.
When questioned about whether Kamala Harris’s proposal of $25,000 in down-payment assistance for first-time buyers would exacerbate housing prices further, Walz dismissed this idea and made an emotional appeal regarding housing issues.
“The core issue is that many view housing merely as another commodity,” he explained. “It can be bought and sold without regard for those who actually reside there.”
Vance emphasized increasing energy production as a solution to lower overall costs while criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s policies.
“While we don’t want to attribute rising housing costs solely to immigrants, we must hold Kamala Harris accountable for allowing millions of undocumented individuals into our country which contributes to these price hikes,” he asserted.
“By unlocking American energy resources, we could see immediate relief not just in housing but across various economic sectors,” he added.
Common Ground on Family Policies Amidst Disagreements
The two leaders expressed understanding towards parents juggling work responsibilities alongside childcare needs while highlighting advantages such as an expanded child tax credit and improved paid leave policies.
“I returned to work just five days after my children were born,” Walz shared, noting how Minnesota’s paid medical leave policy allows families more time together during crucial early moments.
Vance reflected on his wife Usha’s experiences: “Even with all her advantages as a working mother, it remains incredibly challenging.”
However, they diverged significantly regarding funding methods for these initiatives. Vance contended that revenue generated from Trump’s economic strategies—especially tariffs—would support such programs effectively; Walz disagreed vehemently.
“Not only do they fail to generate sufficient funds but households are also left $4,000 poorer due to increased costs stemming from tariffs,” claimed Walz regarding potential financial burdens placed upon families by such policies.”
The January 6 Debate: A Contentious Exchange
A particularly heated moment arose when discussing January 6th events; Vance attempted drawing parallels between Trump’s efforts post-2020 election results and previous Democratic protests surrounding elections.< / p >
"In 2016 Hillary Clinton claimed Donald Trump won due largely because of Russian interference through Facebook ads worth around $500k,” said Vance adding “This pattern has persisted over time.”
"January 6 was not merely about Facebook ads,” retorted Walz firmly.< / p >
