JD Vance, Tim Walz clash over economy, immigration and abortion in US vice presidential debate
Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz faced off for the first time Tuesday in a tough vice-presidential debate, squaring off on key issues from abortion to immigration and gun violence while defending their colleagues’ records in office.
The debate between Vance, 40, and Walz, 60, had a more nuanced tone than last month’s showdown between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. CBS News hosted Tuesday’s 90-minute event at its New York City broadcast center, with CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and Face the Nation hosted by Margaret Brennan who serves as moderator.
The vice presidential candidates, who shook hands before the debate began, focused more on complex policy ideas and avoided targeted personal attacks.
The sharpest moment came toward the end of the debate, when Vance dodged a pointed question from Walz about whether he believed Trump had lost the 2020 presidential election in his final exchange for American democracy.
“You did [Trump] lost the 2020 election?” Walz asked Vance.
“I’m focused on the future,” Vance replied, in part.
“That’s not a bad answer,” Walz said.
During Tuesday’s CBS News Vice Presidential Debate, when Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz asked his Republican counterpart JD Vance if Donald Trump had lost the 2020 presidential election, Vance said he was ‘focusing on the future’ – prompting a rebuke. from Walz.
Chris Cillizza, a political analyst and senior editor for CNN, said the moment was particularly tough for Walz after he appeared uncomfortable on the debate stage. He said Vance was confident from the start and worked to defend “some of the things that Donald Trump has said and done, frankly, that are indefensible.”
As in the previous interviews of the vice president, Cillizza said that he does not think that it may affect the outcome of next month’s election.
“It’s not important, no,” he told the CBC Nationbefore adding, “Do I think JD Vance has made himself too strict about what he looks like going forward? Yes.”
The National asks US political analysts Tia Mitchell, Chris Cillizza and CBC News reporter Katie Simpson to break down the key moments of the US vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance and how it could affect the presidential race.
In gun violence
The candidates were asked during the debate how they would deal with shootings and gun violence across the United States. Walz, a former supporter of the National Rifle Association, said he changed his mind about the assault weapons ban after meeting with parents whose children were affected by the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
“Sometimes it’s just guns,” said Walz, who also noted that his own teenage son witnessed a shooting at a community center.
In the article, Vance said, “we have to do better.” He didn’t say guns should be restricted, but said schools “unfortunately” need stronger doors, windows and police officers. He also said the mental health “crisis” and immigration have contributed to the gun problem in the US
In abortion
On abortion, Walz spoke of women who have faced dire health consequences trying to follow stricter laws in states like Texas, Kentucky and Georgia after Roe v. Wade in 2022.
He criticized Trump for recommending the repeal of the landmark decision, which had guaranteed the right of Americans to have an abortion for nearly 100 years.
“Things worked out really well when Roe vs. Wade was in place,” Walz said.
During Tuesday’s CBS News Vice Presidential debate, Democratic nominee Tim Walz disputed Republican nominee JD Vance’s comments that states should make decisions about abortion by citing the case of a Georgia woman who died while trying to obtain the legal procedure. situation. “There’s a real chance, if Amber Thurman lived in Minnesota, she would be alive,” Walz said.
Vance acknowledged that his past anti-abortion statements have been problematic for voters and added that many Americans have lost hope in Republicans when it comes to reproductive rights.
“We have to do a better job of restoring the trust of the American people,” he said.
About immigration
While discussing immigration, the presidents asked Vance whether the second Trump administration would separate children from their immigrant parents, even if those children are US citizens.
Vance did not directly answer the question and dodged it again when the moderators got back to him.
“We all want to solve this,” Walz said of the border issue, before adding, “Yes, most of us.”
He then accused Trump of sinking a congressional bill aimed at reducing illegal immigration because he saw it as a “campaign issue.
At one point, Vance said the 15,000 Haitians in the city of Springfield, Ohio, created problems with housing, the economy and other problems that the Biden-Harris administration ignored.
When debate moderators pointed out that Haitians living there have legal status, Vance countered that CBS News said its leaders would not fact-check during the debate, leaving that up to the candidates.
As Vance continued and the moderators tried to continue, his microphone was cut off and no one could be heard.
While discussing immigration during Tuesday’s CBS News Vice President’s Debate, Republican nominee JD Vance had his voice cut off by moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.
In the previous words
Both candidates were also asked about their previous comments.
Walz was asked whether he claimed to be in Hong Kong at the time of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, when in fact he did not arrive until after. He said “you spoke badly.”
“I’m a knucklehead sometimes,” Walz said. “I will talk a lot, I will get caught up in the talks.”
Similarly, Vance said he misspoke when he said after the 2016 election that Trump could be “America’s Hitler.”
“I was wrong about Donald Trump,” he said.
About the turmoil in the Middle East
The first question asked of the candidates was about the ongoing unrest in the Middle East, hours after Iran attacked Israel. The attack was the latest in a series of escalating attacks between Israel and Iran and its Arab allies, threatening to push the region closer to a wider war.
No one responded directly when asked if they would support an Israeli strike on Iran.
Walz said Israel has a “fundamental” right to defend itself and return hostages from the Hamas-led attack on October 7, then turned to attack Trump. He said Harris will bring strong leadership to solve the district’s problem.
Vance began his response by introducing himself and taking viewers through his upbringing in Ohio before concluding his response by saying, “it’s up to Israel” to do what it needs to do to “keep their country safe.”
In the meantime19:39Why runners are important in the race for the White House
Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, three weeks after Donald Trump chose Ohio Sen. JD Vance. Guest host Susan Bonner discusses the important role the potential vice presidential candidates will play in the race for the White House.
With climate change
The second question, on the heels of Hurricane Helene, was about the presidential administration’s responsibility to mitigate the effects of climate change. In his response, Vance said that those who believe that carbon emissions are causing climate change should solve the problem by investing in American industry.
Walz used his time to benefit from the important tax and climate legislation that Democrats passed in the 2022 midterms.
In the meantime19:40Trump or Harris? What the undecided US voters think
Political scientists have noted that most US voters generally do not cast their vote based on a potential vice president. In recent campaigns, vice presidents are often used to rally party voters and bolster support for a presidential candidate.
But the vice presidential prospects are slim — Vance or Walz would have a constitutional duty to step up and lead America in the event the president is unable to perform the duties of the presidency.
As a Canadian broadcaster, CBC News often fields questions from our audience members about why we give US elections so much time and attention. Senior editor Brodie Fenlon explains.
It is unclear whether there will be another presidential debate before voters go to the polls on November 5.
Harris’ campaign said he agreed to meet on Oct. 23 with CNN.
But Trump dismissed the possibility of another debate with him before election day, saying it was “too late” and that early voting had already begun.
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