On October 1st, the Vice Presidential candidates for the 2024 Presidential Election descended on New York City at CBS’ Headquarters to deliver their cases to the American people on why they and their running mates at the top of the ticket should be sent to the White House. The debate ran for roughly 90 minutes with no opening statements, two minutes to answer questions, one-minute rebuttal, and each candidate delivering a closing statement.
On the left side of America’s television screens, Republican VP Nominee and junior Senator for Ohio, JD Vance. On the right, Democratic VP Nominee and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The topics ranged from immigration to foreign policy, and all their plans in between. By virtue of a coin toss, Gov. Walz was given the first question on the Israel-Hamas war which started just over a year ago, and was asked whether he would support a pre-emptive strike against Iran if another threat as seen on Oct. 1st was expected.
“Let’s keep in mind where this started. October 7th, Hamas terrorists massacred over 1400 Israelis and took prisoners. Iran, or, Israel’s ability to be able to defend itself is absolutely fundamental, getting its hostages back, fundamental, and ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” said Gov. Walz, not known to be a skilled debater. “What’s fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter. It’s clear. And the world saw it on that debate stage a few weeks ago. A nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes is not what we need in this moment.”
Gov. Walz then criticized President Trump on all his former cabinet and White House staffers who have said negative things about the Fmr. President and his tenure as the 45th President.
The question was then turned to Sen. Vance, who took the opportunity to begin with a quick introduction to Americans about himself, his rough upbringing, and his service to his country as a US Marine. He also responded to Gov. Walz’ criticism of President Trump, touting good economic performance under the first Trump Administration, strong foreign relations, and the respect the US showed around the world under President Trump. The Butler County Native then responded as to what he would advise the president in the Situation room if an Israeli preemptive strike on Iran was discussed.
“Look, it is up to Israel what they think they need to do to keep their country safe. And we should support our allies wherever they are when they’re fighting the bad guys. I think that’s the right approach to take with the Israel question.”
The two exchanged remarks on the Iran Nuclear Deal, which President Trump pulled out of when he was in office. Gov. Walz emphasized that Fmr. President Trump had his chance and he made a mistake pulling out of the nuclear deal allowing Iran to benefit. Moderator Margaret Brennan turned the accusation into a question towards Sen. Vance noting the reversal of President Trump’s policy in wanting to reach a similar Iran Nuclear deal to the one he pulled out of. The skilled OSU and Yale Law School graduate held the current administration accountable for the progression of Iran’s nuclear program.
“Governor Walz, you blame Donald Trump, who has been the Vice President for the last three and a half years, and the answer is your running mate, not mine,” Sen. Vance responded, “But when did Iran and Hamas and their proxies attack Israel? It was during the administration of Kamala Harris.” The Senator continued urging Americans to think of the last time in 30 years that the United States wasn’t in some war or a major war broke out. “The only answer is during the four years that Donald Trump was President.”
CBS moderator Norah O’Donnell then turned the question to the devastation of Hurricane Helene, which ripped through the Eastern Seaboard over a week ago leaving tragedy in its wake. The question was on the topic of climate change.
“Scientists say climate change makes these hurricanes larger, stronger, and more deadly because of the historic rainfall,” O’Donnell stated in a question directed at Sen. Vance, “Senator, what responsibility would the Trump administration have to try and reduce the impact of climate change?”
“Donald Trump and I support clean air, clean water. We want the environment to be cleaner and safer,” Sen. Vance began. He then turned it into a rhetorical argument as he said that carbon emissions driving climate change is ‘weird science’ however, stated what Americans would expect if this were true. “If we actually care about getting cleaner air and cleaner water, the best thing to do is to double down and invest in American workers and the American people. And unfortunately, Kamala Harris has done exactly the opposite.”
Gov. Walz responded to Sen. Vance’s argument noting Vance’s prior statements before office acknowledging climate change as well as President Trump’s comments calling it a hoax and joking about rising sea levels creating more beachfront property. Gov. Walz used the climate change topic to brag about the current administration’s investments in climate change and the jobs created through these investments.
“We’ve seen massive investments, the biggest in global history that we’ve seen in the Inflation Reduction Act, has created jobs all across the country,” the Fmr. Minnesota guardsman stated before turning back to the question, “But my farmers know climate change is real.” Gov. Walz continued, turning the argument into how the Biden-Harris administration has created jobs and fought the climate crisis. “The solution for us is to continue to move forward, that climate change is real. Reducing our impact is absolutely critical.”
The pair continued to argue about what an appropriate course of action would be in mitigating a climate crisis while keeping and creating more jobs in America. Moderator Margaret Brennan then turned the discussion to immigration, a top issue for American voters this election season. The first question was to Sen. Vance who was asked how would a Trump-Vance administration make good on its promise to execute the largest mass deportation in US history and secure the southern border. Sen. Vance aimed at the Biden-Harris administration, blaming them for the faults derived from the southern border, and connecting it to his mother’s struggles that affected him. He also called out Vice President Harris for her part in overturning ninety-four Trump administration executive orders that secured the southern border.
“I had a mother who struggled with opioid addiction and has gotten clean,” Sen. Vance said in his appeal, “I don’t want people who are struggling with addiction to be deprived of their second chance because Kamala Harris let in fentanyl into our communities at record levels. So you’ve got to stop the bleeding.”
The debate continued on with many highlights including Sen. Vance refusing to answer whether President Trump lost the 2020 Presidential Election, and Gov. Walz misspeaking and saying he’s become friends with many school shooters. Despite small blunders, the big highlight of the first and only Vice Presidential Debate of 2024 was perhaps the use of the words ‘I agree’ used numerous times, as well as a very noticeable break in the adversarial tone of the debate when Gov. Walz mentioned his son witnessing a school shooting to which Sen. Vance expressed his sympathy and gratitude for Walz’ son’s safety.
Both men gave a debate in stark contrast to the last 8 years of Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates that Americans have grown reluctantly accustomed to. It was a welcome reassurance to Americans, independents and swing state voters especially, that there is still a streak of civility that their candidates are capable of as they compete for the White House. With the election less than a month away and no more debates scheduled, the candidates will make their final pushes as they take their case to the American people on why they should be the next President and Vice President of the United States.
