How to Watch the Vice Presidential Debate Between Tim Walz and J.D. Vance

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Just three weeks after Vice PresidentKamala Harrisand former PresidentDonald Trumpwent head-to-head at the presidential debate, their running matesTim WalzandJ.D. Vanceare getting a rare moment in the spotlight.

Minnesota Gov. Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, is debating Ohio Sen. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, in New York City on Tuesday, Oct. 1. This isset to be their only matchupbefore the Nov. 5 election.

The two politicians joined their parties' tickets in the midst of what was already a turbulent election, with Vance, 40, beingchosen as Trump’s vice presidential pickon July 15, just days after the former president was wounded in anassassination attempt.

Walz, 60, wasbrought onto the ballotas Harris’ last-minute running mate pick on Aug. 6 after PresidentJoe Bidendropped out of the race and endorsed his vice president.

Walz and Vance have been tasked with appealing to working-class voters in the “Blue Wall” states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin during the 2024 election. Several other states — including North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada — will also help determine which party heads to the White House in January.

Here’s what to know about CBS News' vice presidential debate between Walz and Vance on Oct. 1.

How to Watch Live and Where to Stream

Additionally, the debate will be simulcast on most other networks and streaming platforms, including PBS News, C-SPAN, NewsNation and Fox News.

Who Is Moderating the Vice Presidential Debate?

Cindy Ord/Getty; Jemal Countess/Getty

CBS News’Norah O’DonnellandMargaret Brennanhave been tasked with moderating the debate.

O’Donnell, 50, is theCBS Evening Newsanchor and managing editor, as well as a60 Minutescontributing correspondent. In July, O’Donnellannouncedthat she would be leaving her role at theEvening Newsanchor desk after the 2024 election and taking on a new position at the network.

Brennan, 44, serves as the moderator for CBS News’Face the Nationand is the network’s chief foreign affairs correspondent. Every Sunday she invites political newsmakers on her show for pointed discussion about hot-button issues, and she has previously interviewed former President Trump during his presidency and President Biden while he was campaigning in 2020.

What Are the VP Debate Rules?

Both campaigns have agreed to a 90-minute debate featuring two four-minute commercial breaks, during which campaign staffers are prohibited from interacting with the candidates.

There will be no opening statements and no audience, following the format of the two previous presidential debates.

Each candidate will have two minutes to answer a question and two minutes for their response, with only one minute allowed for rebuttals; however, moderators may grant an extra minute for further discussion at their discretion.

Unlike the presidential debates, candidates' microphones will remain active when their opponent is speaking, although CBS News reserves the right to mute the microphones if necessary.

Vance won a virtual coin toss on Thursday and will deliver his closing statement second, with each candidate allotted two minutes for their closing remarks. No topics or questions will be provided to the campaigns in advance.

How Are the VP Candidates Preparing?

Sources familiar tell PEOPLE that, to prepare for the debate and anticipate potential attacks, the VP candidates rehearsed with high-profile stand-ins to play their opponents.

Transportation SecretaryPete Buttigieghas been in character as Vance during Walz’s debate prep, while Minnesota Rep.Tom Emmerhas taken on the role of Walz in Vance’s rehearsals.

source: people.com