On October 1, Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will engage in the sole vice presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. This highly anticipated event, hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City, will be moderated by Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan.
Debate Details
The debate is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET and will last for 90 minutes, concluding at 10:30 p.m. ET. There will be no audience present, and the candidates will each stand behind podiums. The debate format includes two four-minute commercial breaks, with campaign staff prohibited from interacting with the candidates during these breaks. Each candidate will have two minutes to answer a question, two minutes to respond, and one minute for rebuttals, with the possibility of an additional minute at the moderators' discretion.
Candidate Preparations
Both candidates have been intensively preparing for the debate. JD Vance has been involved in 'murder board' sessions with a team that includes his wife, advisers, and senior Trump adviser Jason Miller. Vance has focused on studying Walz's debate style and policy record, aiming to highlight what he perceives as Walz's left-wing views. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has been standing in for Walz during Vance's debate prep, helping Vance to anticipate Walz's phrases and mannerisms.
Tim Walz, with the assistance of a close team of advisers, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who is standing in for Vance, has been working to introduce himself to a broader audience and highlight Vice President Kamala Harris's vision for the nation. Walz's preparation also includes emphasizing issues that resonate with Americans, such as economic opportunities and factual discussions on key policies.
Key Issues and Controversies
The debate is expected to touch on several contentious issues, including the economy, immigration, and abortion. Vance has aligned himself with Trump's positions on these topics, which include critiques of financial institutions like the Federal Reserve and controversial statements on immigration. Walz, on the other hand, will likely highlight the economic achievements under the Biden administration and critique the Trump-Vance stance on abortion and immigration.
Vance has faced controversies, such as his remarks about 'childless cat ladies' and his promotion of untrue allegations about Haitian immigrants. These issues are likely to resurface during the debate. Walz has also faced scrutiny over his administration's handling of the 2020 Minneapolis riots and alleged fraud in a federal food assistance program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stakes and Audience
The debate holds significant importance as it may be the last formal encounter between the two campaigns before the November election. Vance faces pressure to perform well, especially after Trump's previous debate with Harris, which many observers declared Harris had won. Walz aims to reinforce the positive reception of the Harris campaign and create impactful moments similar to those in the previous presidential debate.
Given the close race in key battleground states, this debate could sway undecided voters. Both candidates will need to articulate their policies clearly and address the controversies surrounding their campaigns effectively to gain an edge in the final stretch before the election.
How to Watch
The debate will be broadcast on CBS and its affiliates starting at 8 p.m. ET with pre-debate coverage. It will also be simulcast on various other broadcast and cable networks. For those without cable, the debate can be streamed on CBS News 24/7, Paramount+, CBSNews.com, and YouTube.
