In what was probably their only TV debate before the US election in November, the two vice-candidates Walz and Vance delved deeply into the topics. The debate went largely without personal attacks.
The escalation in the Middle East, immigration, taxes, abortions, gun violence: In what was probably the only debate about the office of vice president before the US elections, Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance had a heated exchange of blows over key issues.
The debate was characterized by political differences but few personal attacks. Against the backdrop of the ongoing Israeli offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Iranian retaliatory strikes, the escalating Middle East conflict dominated the opening. Asked whether he would support a preemptive strike by Israel against Iran, Vance indicated that he would join Israel’s ruling as an ally.
Walz calls Trump “fickle”
Walz, however, did not address the question directly. Instead, he used the opportunity to criticize Trump for abandoning the Iran nuclear deal. “Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon because Donald Trump is a fickle leader,” said Walz, 60, of Minnesota. Trump sympathizes too much with the “strong man” type to be trusted to handle the escalating conflict.
The 40-year-old Senator Vance from Ohio, however, defended Trump’s foreign policy and said that he had made the world safer during his time in office.
Vance attacks Harris
Vance was informed of the time limit several times during the debate, and the microphone was sometimes turned off after the two-minute speaking time had expired. The two rivals, who had regularly insulted each other during the election campaign, largely refrained from attacking each other. Instead, they saved their powder for the leading candidates on their ballots, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.
Vance questioned why Harris didn’t do more to address inflation, immigration and the economy during her tenure in President Joe Biden’s administration. “If Kamala Harris has such grand plans to address the problems of the middle class, then she should implement them now – not when she’s asking for a promotion, but in the job the American people gave her three and a half years ago,” said Vance.
Immigration is a controversial topic
Walz reversed Vance’s criticism of immigration and attacked Trump for pressuring congressional Republicans to drop a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year. “Most of us want to solve this problem. Donald Trump has had four years to do it, and he promised Americans how easy it would be.”
Criticism of Republicans on the issue of abortion
In the debate over abortion rights, Walz sharply criticized former President Donald Trump for his role in the appointment of three Supreme Court justices. They overturned a groundbreaking ruling and thereby repealed the almost 50-year-old national right to abortion. Walz accused Republicans of interfering in women’s private lives. Women and doctors know best which health care is the right one.
Vance, known for his conservative stance on abortion, struck a moderate tone and opposed a national abortion ban.
On the topic of gun violence, Walz shared a dramatic private memory on the topic with his Republican counterpart. His 17-year-old son once witnessed shots being fired during a volleyball game. He is a hunter himself and owns weapons, said Walz. But it is necessary to curb gun violence in the USA with stricter rules.
Trump commented on “Truth Social”
Trump commented on the debate in a kind of live ticker on the online platform “Truth Social,” which he co-founded. He accused the presenters Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan of being “extremely biased presenters”. He accused Walz of having a “low intelligence quotient” because he took several notes during the debate.
The race to move into the White House is very close just a month before the election. Even small changes in public opinion could make the difference: Trump and Harris are tied in the potentially decisive swing states.