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Breaking: Vance-Walz Debate – Key Details and How to Watch
The highly anticipated vice presidential debate between Republican nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Democratic candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is set to take place on Tuesday, marking their first and potentially final faceoff of the 2024 campaign. This critical event is expected to shape public opinion as the presidential race nears its end.
Key Facts
Former President Donald Trump, in typical fashion, announced that he will provide live commentary on the debate via Truth Social. Trump has already made his opinions clear, branding Walz as “inarticulate” while praising Vance as “brilliant.”
In a significant departure from previous presidential debates, CBS confirmed that both candidates’ microphones will remain unmuted throughout the session. This decision leaves room for potential interruptions, unlike the muted microphones rule used during the debates between Trump and President Joe Biden, and Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
When and How to Watch the VP Debate
- Date & Time: Tuesday, October 1 at 9 p.m. ET
- Where: CBS News studios in Philadelphia, without a live audience
- Broadcast: The debate will air on CBS local affiliates and most major networks. It will also be available for live streaming on the websites of several news networks.
Debate Format and Rules
The 90-minute debate will follow a strict structure: each candidate will have two minutes to answer questions, two minutes for rebuttals, and one minute for further responses. There will be no opening statements, but candidates will have two minutes each for closing remarks. Notably, JD Vance won the coin toss and will have the final word. The candidates will not be provided with questions in advance and are barred from using pre-written notes or consulting campaign staff during the debate.
Moderators
The debate will be moderated by two seasoned journalists: Norah O’Donnell, anchor of “CBS Evening News,” and Margaret Brennan, moderator of “Face the Nation” and CBS’s chief foreign affairs correspondent.
Will There Be a Second VP Debate?
At this time, there has been no public announcement regarding a second debate between Vance and Walz.
What the Polls Say
According to a September Pew Research poll, more Americans hold a favorable view of Walz (39%) compared to Vance (34%). Additionally, 35% of respondents believe Walz is more qualified to step in as president if necessary, while only 30% feel the same about Vance.
What to Expect from Vance and Walz
- Vance’s Strategy: The Ohio senator, a former Marine and Iraq war veteran, has previously attacked Walz’s military service, accusing him of “stolen valor” for allegedly avoiding deployment to Iraq. Republicans have also dubbed Walz “Tampon Tim” in reference to a Minnesota law requiring menstrual products in school restrooms for all students, including transgender individuals.
- Walz’s Strategy: Walz is likely to highlight controversies surrounding Vance, including resurfaced remarks he made in 2021 about “childless cat ladies” and the baseless claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were abducting pets. Walz has consistently labeled both Vance and Trump as “weird,” a line that has gained traction among Democrats.
Background
JD Vance was chosen as Trump’s running mate at the start of the Republican National Convention in July, while Walz joined Kamala Harris’s ticket in late July after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Both candidates are relatively new to the national political spotlight, with Vance elected to public office in the 2022 midterms, and Walz largely unknown beyond Minnesota until joining Harris’s campaign.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an intense and pivotal moment in the 2024 election cycle.
Source; Forbes
