Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance are set to face off in the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election on Tuesday night. The event, hosted by CBS News in New York, will occur without a live audience and is considered a crucial moment for both campaigns. This debate takes place against the backdrop of significant events at home and abroad, including recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene in the southeastern United States and escalating tensions in the Middle East as Israel intensifies its actions against Iran-backed militant groups in Lebanon.
Traditionally, vice presidential candidates play a role similar to attack dogs for their party’s presidential nominees in this case, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump. However, both Walz and Vance have aggressively critiqued one another for months, setting the stage for an intense debate.
Walz, the 60-year-old governor of Minnesota, earned his place as the Democratic vice presidential nominee partly due to his memorable branding of the GOP ticket as “weird” during television interviews. Vance, 40, is a military veteran who has scrutinized Walz’s service record. The debate will be moderated by CBS anchors Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, starting at 9 p.m. Eastern time, and will also be simulcast on CNN.
The candidates’ backgrounds will be pivotal as they seek to connect with a broad audience of voters. Walz, a two-term governor and former congressman, may emphasize his previous roles as a high school teacher and assistant football coach. Vance, known for his best-selling memoir focusing on his Appalachian roots and the socioeconomic struggles of his hometown, is likely to reflect on how he has evolved in his views toward Trump, without delving into his past as a critic of the former president.
Both candidates aim to present themselves as authentic figures in a political landscape where undecided voters in key states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin may determine the election outcome. While voters are largely influenced by the presidential candidates at the top of their tickets, Walz and Vance are expected to spend a considerable amount of time attacking Harris and Trump, respectively, while also promoting their own credentials and challenging their opponents’ narratives.
Abortion rights will be a significant topic during the debate, as Democrats view this issue as crucial for motivating women and young voters. Walz plans to frame his discussion around Harris’s advocacy for “freedom,” contrasting it with Trump’s Supreme Court appointments that led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. He has also shared personal stories, including his and his wife Gwen’s fertility struggles. Conversely, Vance has sought to depict Walz as extreme in his abortion views, criticizing him for backing a Minnesota measure that allows abortion “up to the moment of birth.”
In addition, Vance and Trump have struggled to align on abortion policy, with Vance attempting to promote measures that would incentivize childbirth. Vance’s criticisms of Walz could include past statements he made regarding women’s reproductive choices, which Democrats have seized upon to portray him as judgmental.
Walz’s military record may also become a focal point of contention. Vance has accused the governor of overstating his military background and of trying to avoid combat service in Iraq. Although Walz filed to run for Congress before his unit’s deployment notification, Republicans are likely to continue scrutinizing his service history. This contentious debate could force Walz to address accusations he would prefer to sidestep.
Vance and Trump have recently faced backlash for unfounded claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. Despite the allegations being widely dismissed, both candidates have used immigration rhetoric to rally support against the Biden administration. As a counterpoint, Walz may bring attention to these claims during the debate, challenging the Republicans’ narratives.
With both candidates aiming to capture the attention of undecided voters, this debate represents a significant opportunity to influence public perception leading up to the election. As they prepare to showcase their respective strengths and address critical issues, viewers can expect a lively and revealing exchange that could shape the trajectory of their campaigns.
