Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio are set to go head-to-head in their first and only scheduled vice presidential debate. The debate will take place on October 1 at 9 p.m. EDT and will be moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan of CBS News. The event will last for 90 minutes and will be broadcast live on CBS News’ platforms. Both candidates have been actively campaigning across the country, focusing on battleground states that are crucial to determining the outcome of the election.
The debate will be held in New York City, traditionally a Democratic stronghold. While Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance have been busy preparing for the debate with stand-ins for their opponents, former President Donald Trump, a native New Yorker, has been actively campaigning in the state. Vice President Kamala Harris, on the other hand, has decided to skip the annual Al Smith dinner in New York City, opting to campaign in a battleground state instead. Both candidates will be meeting for the first time in person on the debate stage, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg standing in for Vance in the Walz debate preparation.
The rules for the debate have been set, with CBS stating that fact-checking will be up to the candidates rather than the moderators. The microphones of the candidates will remain on while their opponents are speaking, allowing for a more dynamic exchange. Each candidate will have two minutes for a closing statement, with Vance winning a virtual coin toss and speaking last. There will be no audience present during the debate, and CBS reserves the right to shut off a hot mic if necessary.
Following the vice presidential debate, no additional presidential or vice presidential debates are currently scheduled. However, as seen with the previous debates, the schedule could change if both candidates agree to it. Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed openness to debating former President Donald Trump again, but he has indicated that a debate close to the election date would be too late. The dynamics of this year’s debates are different from previous years, as they are being orchestrated by host networks rather than the Commission on Presidential Debates, leading to unique arrangements and timelines.
In conclusion, the upcoming vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance is set to be a significant event in the final weeks leading up to the election. Both candidates have been actively campaigning and preparing for the debate, with a focus on key battleground states. The debate will provide voters with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and evaluate their positions and policies. Amidst a changing debate landscape and uncertainty about additional debates, the vice presidential debate will play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of the 2024 Election.
