Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz are set to face off in the lone vice presidential debate of the 2024 election, hosted by CBS News in New York. The debate is an opportunity for the candidates to introduce themselves, vouch for their running mates, and act as attack dogs. Both candidates have been previewing potential approaches for weeks, with Walz criticizing Vance’s progressive record and Vance mocking Walz’s military service. Both candidates have emphasized their small-town, middle-America credentials, contrasting with the backgrounds of the presidential nominees, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
The upcoming debate in Manhattan will feature Walz and Vance going head-to-head for the first time, with the question of whether it will be more about the candidates themselves or a reflection of the top of the ticket. A new poll suggests that Walz is better liked than Vance among registered voters. However, the primary goal of the running mates is to make the case for their bosses, rather than focusing on themselves. Issues such as abortion rights and family life are expected to be prominent topics of discussion during the debate, with Democrats emphasizing reproductive health care as a central theme of their campaign.
Both Vance and Walz are also competing for an advantage on the economy, with Vance offering clearer arguments than Trump on boosting American manufacturing and criticizing the Biden-Harris administration over inflation. Both campaigns have competing economic proposals aimed at addressing the concerns of U.S. households. Additionally, the candidates will likely highlight their middle-America roots and personal stories during the debate, emphasizing their connection to working-class voters.
The fact-checking onus will be on the candidates during the debate, as CBS announced that it will be up to the candidates to keep each other honest. This approach contrasts with earlier debates this year where moderators limited follow-up questions and fact-checking. The vice presidential debate between Walz and Vance is expected to draw a significant television and online audience, providing a key platform for the running mates to make their case to voters. Both candidates will aim to highlight their strengths, attack their opponents, and defend their running mates in what promises to be a lively and informative exchange.
