VP Debate Recap: Tim Walz and J.D. Vance Bring Unexpected Civility to Their First and Only Face-Off

Mar. 15, 2025

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shake hands at the start of the Oct. 1 vice presidential debate.Photo:Al Drago/Getty

Al Drago/Getty

Minnesota Gov.Tim Walzand Ohio Sen.J.D. Vancemet at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City for their first and only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. The 90-minute showdown on Tuesday, Oct. 1, was the last major political event before Election Day, and the running mates were under considerable pressure to not screw things up.Walz, an experienced governor who’s still a newcomer on the national stage, was tasked with matching Vice PresidentKamala Harris' confidence and preventing any hiccups from disrupting her hard-fought momentum. Though he hit the ground running in August with strong favorability ratings, he had big shoes to fill on Tuesday after Harris was overwhelminglydeclared the winner of her Sept. 10 debatein polls.Vance, who was elected to his first position two years ago, was tapped as former PresidentDonald Trump’s running mate after proving that he could withstand criticism and calmly defend even the most controversial policy positions. Asthe least popular VP pick in modern historyaccording to polls, he had little to lose and everything to gain going into the debate as he aimed to remind Trump why he was entrusted with carrying on the MAGA brand.Need to KnowThe Oct. 1 vice presidential debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance was the first and only face-off between the 2024 running matesWalz hit the expected marks on issues like abortion, gun safety and immigration, and grew more assertive in his approach as the night went onVance took an uncharacteristically civil approach and rewrote the narrative on his campaign’s far-right political stances and pattern of election denialismThe debate had fewer headline moments than the presidential debates of the election cycle, and focused closely on the issues

Minnesota Gov.Tim Walzand Ohio Sen.J.D. Vancemet at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City for their first and only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. The 90-minute showdown on Tuesday, Oct. 1, was the last major political event before Election Day, and the running mates were under considerable pressure to not screw things up.

Walz, an experienced governor who’s still a newcomer on the national stage, was tasked with matching Vice PresidentKamala Harris' confidence and preventing any hiccups from disrupting her hard-fought momentum. Though he hit the ground running in August with strong favorability ratings, he had big shoes to fill on Tuesday after Harris was overwhelminglydeclared the winner of her Sept. 10 debatein polls.

Vance, who was elected to his first position two years ago, was tapped as former PresidentDonald Trump’s running mate after proving that he could withstand criticism and calmly defend even the most controversial policy positions. Asthe least popular VP pick in modern historyaccording to polls, he had little to lose and everything to gain going into the debate as he aimed to remind Trump why he was entrusted with carrying on the MAGA brand.

Need to KnowThe Oct. 1 vice presidential debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance was the first and only face-off between the 2024 running matesWalz hit the expected marks on issues like abortion, gun safety and immigration, and grew more assertive in his approach as the night went onVance took an uncharacteristically civil approach and rewrote the narrative on his campaign’s far-right political stances and pattern of election denialismThe debate had fewer headline moments than the presidential debates of the election cycle, and focused closely on the issues

Need to Know

The Oct. 1 vice presidential debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance was the first and only face-off between the 2024 running matesWalz hit the expected marks on issues like abortion, gun safety and immigration, and grew more assertive in his approach as the night went onVance took an uncharacteristically civil approach and rewrote the narrative on his campaign’s far-right political stances and pattern of election denialismThe debate had fewer headline moments than the presidential debates of the election cycle, and focused closely on the issues

Vance’s Guest List Tonight Includes Donald Trump Jr.

October 01, 2024 10:51 PM EDT

Here’s Who Will Defend Walz in the Spin Room TonightOctober 01, 2024 10:50 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostWalz has lined up some heavy-hitting Democratic names to defend him in the spin room after the debate, including fellow MinnesotanAmy Klobuchar. Others expected to speak with reporters include Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Arizona Sen.Mark Kelly, New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Texas Rep.Jasmine Crockett, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Colorado Gov.Jared Polis.

Here’s Who Will Defend Walz in the Spin Room Tonight

October 01, 2024 10:50 PM EDT

Walz has lined up some heavy-hitting Democratic names to defend him in the spin room after the debate, including fellow MinnesotanAmy Klobuchar. Others expected to speak with reporters include Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Arizona Sen.Mark Kelly, New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Texas Rep.Jasmine Crockett, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Colorado Gov.Jared Polis.

Vance Dodges Answers About Trump’s Refusal to Accept 2020 Election Results

October 01, 2024 10:48 PM EDT

When Walz turned to Vance and asked, “Did Donald Trump win the 2020 election?” Vance demurred, saying, “I’m focused on the future.”

“That’s a damning non-answer,” Walz responded, adding, “He lost the election. This is not a debate.”

In the same conversation, Walz said: “When Mike Pence made that decision to certify that election, that’s why Mike Pence isn’t on this stage. What I’m concerned about is, where is the firewall with Donald Trump?”

“That’s what we’re asking you, America: Will you stand up?” he continued. “America, I think you’ve got a really clear choice on this election: Who’s going to honor democracy, and who’s going to honor Donald Trump?”

Walz Appears to Be Wearing Taylor Swift-Style Friendship Bracelets

Walz issporting friendship braceletson the stage, seemingly in tribute toTaylor Swiftandher endorsement of Kamala Harrisfor president.

Swift recently took to Instagram to express her support for Harris and Walz, signing her post “Childless Cat Lady,” a phrase referencing Vance’s critique of prominent Democrats as “childless cat ladies.”

Walz discovered Swift’s endorsement while on air with MSNBC. Upon hearing the news, he placed a hand on his heart, smiled, and mouthed “wow.” He commented, “I am incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift, and I say that as a cat owner.” Shortly after, the official website for the Harris-Walz campaignbegan selling Taylor Swift-inspired friendship braceletsfor $20, featuring the message “Harris Walz 24.”

Vance Defends Trump Saying He Had ‘Concepts’ of a Health Care PlanOctober 01, 2024 10:24 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostOhio Sen. J.D. Vance at the 2024 vice presidential debate.Chip Somodevilla/GettyWhen asked about Trump’s now-infamous remark that he has “concepts” of a health care plan, Vance said, “A lot of people have criticized this ‘concepts of a plan’ remark [but] you’re not going to propose a 900 page bill standing on a debate stage, it would bore everyone to tears.“Walz responded, “When Donald Trump said ‘I’ve got concepts of a plan,’ it cracked me up as a fourth grade teacher because my kids would never have given me that.”The two then debated about their respective plans, with Walz saying the Affordable Care Act “works,” but adding, “we can always do better.”

Vance Defends Trump Saying He Had ‘Concepts’ of a Health Care Plan

October 01, 2024 10:24 PM EDT

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance at the 2024 vice presidential debate.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

When asked about Trump’s now-infamous remark that he has “concepts” of a health care plan, Vance said, “A lot of people have criticized this ‘concepts of a plan’ remark [but] you’re not going to propose a 900 page bill standing on a debate stage, it would bore everyone to tears.”

Walz responded, “When Donald Trump said ‘I’ve got concepts of a plan,’ it cracked me up as a fourth grade teacher because my kids would never have given me that.”

The two then debated about their respective plans, with Walz saying the Affordable Care Act “works,” but adding, “we can always do better.”

Gus Walz Witnessed Shooting During Volleyball Practice, His Father Says

October 01, 2024 10:13 PM EDT

Asked about enacting stricter gun laws, Vance said he instead supported enacting stronger school security measures and arguing that stricter gun laws were something of an attempt to “magically wave a wand and take the guns out of the hands of bad guys.”

Walz, saying that both he and Harris are gun-owners and that he is a hunter, argued that “no one’s trying to scaremonger” but that he believes in tougher gun laws, adding, “Do you want your schools hardened to look like a fort?”

Elsewhere in the conversation, Walz said thathis 17-year-old son, Gus, had once witnessed a shooting during volleyball practice — a remark that led Vance to say he was sorry Walz’s son had experienced that.

Gus and Tim Walz at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21, 2024.David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty

‘I Misspoke’: Walz Responds to Criticism About Misleading Tiananmen Square ClaimOctober 01, 2024 10:03 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostWalz was questioned aboutmultiple news reportssuggesting he misleadingly claimed to have been in Hong Kong for a teaching position in 1989 during the turbulence surrounding the Tiananmen Square massacre.“All I said was that I got there that summer, and I misspoke about it. That’s what I’ve said,” Walz responded. He then pivoted to discuss his experience in Asia, stating, “I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protests. From that, I learned a lot about what is needed in governance.” He emphasized that those lessons continue to inform his approach to leadership today.

‘I Misspoke’: Walz Responds to Criticism About Misleading Tiananmen Square Claim

October 01, 2024 10:03 PM EDT

Walz was questioned aboutmultiple news reportssuggesting he misleadingly claimed to have been in Hong Kong for a teaching position in 1989 during the turbulence surrounding the Tiananmen Square massacre.

“All I said was that I got there that summer, and I misspoke about it. That’s what I’ve said,” Walz responded. He then pivoted to discuss his experience in Asia, stating, “I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protests. From that, I learned a lot about what is needed in governance.” He emphasized that those lessons continue to inform his approach to leadership today.

Walz Denies That Democrats Support ‘Ninth Month’ AbortionOctober 01, 2024 09:53 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostAsked if he supports abortion “in the ninth month” — as Trump claimed in the last debate — Walz said no, adding that he wants to “put women in charge of their healthcare.”Walz also said that Project 2025 — the far-right proposal for how Trump should handle a second term in office — would create “a registry of pregnancies” and could “eliminate access to infertility treatments.” In response, Vance said he would support fertility treatments and denied that a second Trump term would lead to a registry of pregnancies.

Walz Denies That Democrats Support ‘Ninth Month’ Abortion

October 01, 2024 09:53 PM EDT

Asked if he supports abortion “in the ninth month” — as Trump claimed in the last debate — Walz said no, adding that he wants to “put women in charge of their healthcare.”

Walz also said that Project 2025 — the far-right proposal for how Trump should handle a second term in office — would create “a registry of pregnancies” and could “eliminate access to infertility treatments.” In response, Vance said he would support fertility treatments and denied that a second Trump term would lead to a registry of pregnancies.

Harris Campaign Claims Undecided Voters Sided with Walz on Immigration IssueOctober 01, 2024 09:51 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostMinnesota Gov. Tim Walz at the 2024 vice presidential debate.Chip Somodevilla/GettyA Harris-Walz campaign official tells PEOPLE that in their dial focus group of undecided battleground voters, Walz’s first big win of the night came during the immigration conversation, when he pointed out Trump’s unfulfilled promise to build a wall, claiming that only 2% was actually completed.

Harris Campaign Claims Undecided Voters Sided with Walz on Immigration Issue

October 01, 2024 09:51 PM EDT

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at the 2024 vice presidential debate.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

A Harris-Walz campaign official tells PEOPLE that in their dial focus group of undecided battleground voters, Walz’s first big win of the night came during the immigration conversation, when he pointed out Trump’s unfulfilled promise to build a wall, claiming that only 2% was actually completed.

Candidates Talk Over Moderators, Getting Mics Shut OffOctober 01, 2024 09:36 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostNorah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan moderate the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on Oct. 1, 2024.Anna Moneymaker/GettyAs the immigration conversation devolved, with Vance repeatedly interrupting the moderators after their many attempts to move to the next topic (and Walz soon joining in), the candidates’ microphones were turned off.“Gentlemen the audience cannot hear you because your mics are cut,” Margaret Brennan said, before they asked the next question.Brennan and co-moderator Norah O’Donnell held firm as Vance aimed to bulldoze them, reminding that there were many other conversations to get to beyond unpacking the nitty-gritty of the legal immigration process.

Candidates Talk Over Moderators, Getting Mics Shut Off

October 01, 2024 09:36 PM EDT

Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan moderate the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on Oct. 1, 2024.Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

As the immigration conversation devolved, with Vance repeatedly interrupting the moderators after their many attempts to move to the next topic (and Walz soon joining in), the candidates’ microphones were turned off.

“Gentlemen the audience cannot hear you because your mics are cut,” Margaret Brennan said, before they asked the next question.

Brennan and co-moderator Norah O’Donnell held firm as Vance aimed to bulldoze them, reminding that there were many other conversations to get to beyond unpacking the nitty-gritty of the legal immigration process.

Walz Brings Up Vance’s False Claims About ImmigrantsOctober 01, 2024 09:32 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostDuring a segment on immigration, Walz referenced Trump and Vance’sbaseless claims about Haitian immigrants eating their neighbors’ petsin Springfield, Ohio.In the debate, Walz accused Vance of saying things that “vilified a large number of people who were here legally,” adding that the governor of Ohio had to send state law enforcement to accompany “kindergarteners to school.”

Walz Brings Up Vance’s False Claims About Immigrants

October 01, 2024 09:32 PM EDT

During a segment on immigration, Walz referenced Trump and Vance’sbaseless claims about Haitian immigrants eating their neighbors’ petsin Springfield, Ohio.

In the debate, Walz accused Vance of saying things that “vilified a large number of people who were here legally,” adding that the governor of Ohio had to send state law enforcement to accompany “kindergarteners to school.”

Green, Yellow & Flashing Red: How the Candidates Are Keeping Track of TimeOctober 01, 2024 09:05 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostIn an effort to keep the program moving without cutting candidates off, CBS News has set up a couple of ways that candidates can track how much time they have left for their responses.Lights have been set up in front of the candidates, which will remain green until they only have 15 seconds remaining. The lights will then turn yellow until they have only five seconds left. The light will then flash red for the last five seconds of their allotted response time, and turn solid red when the time is up. The studio will also display numeric clocks to count their time down.

Green, Yellow & Flashing Red: How the Candidates Are Keeping Track of Time

October 01, 2024 09:05 PM EDT

In an effort to keep the program moving without cutting candidates off, CBS News has set up a couple of ways that candidates can track how much time they have left for their responses.

Lights have been set up in front of the candidates, which will remain green until they only have 15 seconds remaining. The lights will then turn yellow until they have only five seconds left. The light will then flash red for the last five seconds of their allotted response time, and turn solid red when the time is up. The studio will also display numeric clocks to count their time down.

The Candidates Are on the StageOctober 01, 2024 09:01 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostJ.D. Vance and Tim Walz on stage at the CBS Broadcast Center on Oct. 1, 2024.Chip Somodevilla/GettyWalz and Vance have taken the stage at CBS News' Broadcast Center in Midtown Manhattan. They entered one at a time.

The Candidates Are on the Stage

October 01, 2024 09:01 PM EDT

J.D. Vance and Tim Walz on stage at the CBS Broadcast Center on Oct. 1, 2024.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Walz and Vance have taken the stage at CBS News' Broadcast Center in Midtown Manhattan. They entered one at a time.

J.D. Vance Won a Coin Toss for the Last Word

October 01, 2024 09:00 PM EDT

A virtual coin toss held on Thursday sorted out some final logistics for the vice presidential debate. J.D. Vance won the coin toss, meaning he got to decide the order of closing statements. Vance opted to deliver his closing statement last, so he will get the final word of the evening.

Microphones Will Be Hot Tonight —  These Are CBS News’ Debate RulesOctober 01, 2024 08:59 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostUnlike the presidential debates held in June and September, CBS News will not keep candidates’ microphones on mute while their opponent is speaking — though the network reserves the right to mute microphones at any point if needed.Aside from having unmuted microphones, the vice presidential debate will look very similar to previous debates this election cycle. Here are CBS News’ official debate rules, which both campaigns have agreed to:Microphones will not be muted between answersThere will be no live audienceNo props or pre-written notes allowed on stageCandidates will be provided only a pen, pad of paper and water bottleCampaign staff may not interact with candidates during breaksCandidates must stay behind their podiums during the debateCandidates will have two minutes to answer questions, two minutes to respond to opponents’ answers, and one minute for rebuttals

Microphones Will Be Hot Tonight —  These Are CBS News’ Debate Rules

October 01, 2024 08:59 PM EDT

Unlike the presidential debates held in June and September, CBS News will not keep candidates’ microphones on mute while their opponent is speaking — though the network reserves the right to mute microphones at any point if needed.

Aside from having unmuted microphones, the vice presidential debate will look very similar to previous debates this election cycle. Here are CBS News’ official debate rules, which both campaigns have agreed to:

What to Know About the Debate ModeratorsOctober 01, 2024 08:59 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostCBS News' vice presidential debate moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.Cindy Ord/Getty; Jemal Countess/GettyCBS News’Norah O’DonnellandMargaret Brennanhave been tasked with moderating the 2024 vice presidential 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 to Know About the Debate Moderators

CBS News' vice presidential debate moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.Cindy Ord/Getty; Jemal Countess/Getty

Cindy Ord/Getty; Jemal Countess/Getty

CBS News’Norah O’DonnellandMargaret Brennanhave been tasked with moderating the 2024 vice presidential 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.

Donald Trump Will Be Live-‘Truthing’ During the Debate

October 01, 2024 08:55 PM EDT

While the vice presidential nominees prepare to face off, their running mates will be following along — and in Trump’s case, he’ll be commenting in live time.

Harris' campaign has not confirmed where she will be watching from.

Tom Emmer and Pete Buttigieg Have Been Helping the Candidates PrepareOctober 01, 2024 08:50 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostHouse Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Alex Wong/GettyWalz and Vance have spent considerable time rehearsing for Tuesday night, and sources familiar with each side’s preparation tell PEOPLE that theyroped in some high-profile friendsto help.Walz asked Transportation SecretaryPete Buttigiegto get into character as Vance and help him practice. Buttigieg — who also helped Kamala Harris prepare for her2020 VP debate— is one of the sharpest political communicators in the Democratic Party, and shares a similar background to Vance: they’re both Midwesterners, Ivy League graduates and military veterans.Vance, meanwhile, called on Minnesota Rep.Tom Emmerfor help. Emmer is the House majority whip, which makes him a professional salesman of the Republican platform. Emmer previously served in Congress alongside Walz, and said that he studied Walz’s past interviews and debates so that he could mimic the Democrat’s speaking style in rehearsals.

Tom Emmer and Pete Buttigieg Have Been Helping the Candidates Prepare

October 01, 2024 08:50 PM EDT

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Alex Wong/Getty

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Alex Wong/Getty

Walz and Vance have spent considerable time rehearsing for Tuesday night, and sources familiar with each side’s preparation tell PEOPLE that theyroped in some high-profile friendsto help.

Walz asked Transportation SecretaryPete Buttigiegto get into character as Vance and help him practice. Buttigieg — who also helped Kamala Harris prepare for her2020 VP debate— is one of the sharpest political communicators in the Democratic Party, and shares a similar background to Vance: they’re both Midwesterners, Ivy League graduates and military veterans.

Vance, meanwhile, called on Minnesota Rep.Tom Emmerfor help. Emmer is the House majority whip, which makes him a professional salesman of the Republican platform. Emmer previously served in Congress alongside Walz, and said that he studied Walz’s past interviews and debates so that he could mimic the Democrat’s speaking style in rehearsals.

How to Watch the VP Debate

October 01, 2024 08:42 PM EDT

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

Do Vice Presidential Debates Matter?

October 01, 2024 08:39 PM EDT

Vice presidential debates aren’t known for being deciding factors in White House races, and tonight’s broadcast will be only a drop in the large bucket of things impacting Americans’ votes. Still, there’s reason to believe that the stakes of the VP debate are higher than normal this year.

Perhaps more than ever before, vice presidential nominees are being seriously vetted as potential future presidents. The importance of a strong vice president became apparent when Harris unexpectedly replaced Joe Biden on the presidential ticket in July, and after the oldest presidential nominee in history — Trump — survived two assassination attempts on the campaign trail. Voters have it fresh on their minds that vice presidents are only a heartbeat from the Oval Office, and in a race where both running mates are still introducing themselves to the world, a primetime stage can make all the difference.

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source: people.com