Sen. J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz met for the first time during the vice presidential debate on Tuesday, just over a month away from Election Day.
The two vice presidential candidates discussed multiple issues including the conflict in the Middle East, climate change, the economy and reproductive rights.
CBS News anchor and debate moderator Margaret Brennan opened the debate by asking the candidates about the recent strike against Israel by Iran, rising tension in the region and if they would support a preemptive strike by Israel.
Neither candidate directly answered the question. Walz said the hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack must be returned to Israel and the country’s ability to defend itself is “absolutely fundamental,” while also stating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza must be resolved.
He said steady leadership is needed at this moment, noting former President Donald Trump’s national security advisors calling Trump unfit for office.
“When Donald Trump was in office, we had a coalition of nations that had boxed Iran’s nuclear program in,” Walz said. “Donald Trump pulled that program and put nothing else in its place, so Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before.”
Vance said it was up to Israel but the United States needs to “support (its) allies.” He claimed Iran has received “over $100 billion from unfrozen assets” due to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ administration. CBS News later said the claim was false and needed context. He said Trump was an effective deterrent and Trump provided “peace through strength.”
In wake of Hurricane Helene, a category four hurricane that recently traveled through much of the southeast, NBC News anchor and debate moderator Norah O’Donnell asked the candidates what each administration would do to reduce the impact of climate change.
Vance said he and Trump want the environment to be “cleaner and safer.” He said “if (voters) believe” carbon emissions cause climate change, they should restore American manufacturing and produce more energy in the U.S. He said Harris’ policies have led to more energy production in China and increased manufacturing overseas.
“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,” Vance said.
Walz claimed the Biden-Harris administration made “massive investments” in clean jobs and created 200,000 jobs across the nation from energy investments. He said the solution moving forward is to recognize climate change is real and reduce the U.S. part in it.
O’Donnell asked each candidate about their campaign’s economic plan, starting with Walz. According to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Harris’ plan would increase the nation’s deficit by $1.2 trillion. She asked how the administration would pay for that without “ballooning” the deficit.
Walz said Harris is focused on housing and providing down payment assistance for homeowners. He said they will tax cuts to the middle class and reduce childhood poverty.
O’Donnell asked Vance the same question. She said the Wharton School said the Trump-Vance campaign’s economic plan would add $5.8 trillion to the nation’s deficit.
Vance said some of Harris’ policies “sound pretty good” but that Harris has been the vice president for three and a half years and could have acted on those policies during her term. He claimed Harris has driven the cost of food and housing higher, and the current administration has made middle-class life “unaffordable” for many Americans.
“Donald Trump’s economic plan is not just a plan, it’s a record,” Vance said. “A lot of economists have attacked Donald Trump’s plans, and they have Ph.D.s, but they don’t have common sense.”
O’Donnell asked the candidates for their stance on abortion. She asked Walz if he supported abortion in the ninth month following Trump’s claim during the Sept. 10 presidential debate.
Walz responded by saying the bill he signed in Minnesota did not legalize abortion in the ninth month. He said Minnesota made sure to “put women in charge of their health care.” Walz claimed the Trump-Vance ticket and Project 2025 intend to create a registry for pregnancies. He said the choice of abortion is not a state issue but a “basic human right.”
“We have seen maternal mortality skyrocket in Texas, out-pacing many other countries in the world,” Walz said. “This is about healthcare. In Minnesota, we are ranked first in healthcare for a reason.”
Vance denied Walz’s claim. He said the Republican party has to work to “earn” trust back from the American people, and individual states must allow voters to make the decision for their state.
The last day to register to vote in Texas is Oct. 7, early voting begins Oct. 21 and Election Day is Nov. 5.
