Vance, Walz Face Off in Vice Presidential Debate
By Lis De Sá Fonseca
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz met for the first
and only vice presidential debate Tuesday night at the CBS Broadcast Center. The
90-minute debate, moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, touched on
topics such as foreign policy, reproductive rights, climate change, immigration, and
housing.
Unlike recent presidential debates, the exchange between the two was mostly civil.
Both candidates found common ground on several issues. For instance, when
discussing Iran and the Middle East, Walz said, “We will protect our forces and our
allied forces, and there will be consequences.” Vance echoed that sentiment, stating,
“We should support our allies wherever they are when they’re fighting the bad guys.”
However, the debate turned more contentious on topics like immigration, abortion,
and the events of Jan. 6.
Vance accused Vice President Kamala Harris of “letting in fentanyl and using kids as
drug mules” when asked about immigration. Walz countered by referencing a U.S.
border compromise bill negotiated by Sen. James Lankford, saying, “Pass the bill.
She’ll sign it.”
On abortion, Vance defended the agenda of former President Donald Trump, stating,
“Donald Trump and I are committed to pursuing pro-family policies—making
childcare more accessible, making fertility treatments more accessible.” Walz,
meanwhile, clarified that the Harris-Walz campaign is “not pro-abortion, but
pro-women.”
The sharpest divide between the two emerged when the topic of the Jan. 6 Capitol
attack came up. Vance argued, “Kamala Harris is engaged in censorship at an
industrial scale… And that, to me, is a much bigger threat to democracy than what
Donald Trump said when he said that protesters should peacefully protest on Jan. 6.”
Despite their disagreements, the debate remained largely respectful, with both
candidates maintaining a constructive tone throughout.
“This was the most civil debate I’ve seen in years, since Obama and Romney,” said
Iván Andarza, a college student who attended the debate. “It was very calm,
collected,” he added.
Dr. J. Gregory Payne, chair of Emerson College’s Department of Communication
Studies, noted the level of decorum between the candidates. “There were distinct
differences, but there was respect,” he said. “I’m not sure it changed a lot of minds,
but some people likely got a more humane perspective of Vance, as he was able to
take down some of the negatives.”
Walz will continue campaigning in Pennsylvania, while Vance is headed to Michigan
as the race intensifies.