All Eyes on Vice Presidential Debate: Walz and Vance Prepare for High-Stakes Showdown

Taking place on October 1st at 9 p.m. ET, this debate will provide the electorate with the only direct confrontation between the two vice-presidential candidates. As millions of viewers prepare to tune in, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both campaigns.

A High-Stakes Matchup

Both Walz and Vance come into this debate with significant, albeit different, political profiles. Tim Walz, the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, has served as Minnesota’s governor since 2019 and has been in politics for nearly two decades. His experience as a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a leader during the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped his platform, which prioritizes healthcare, education, and workers’ rights. The Harris-Walz ticket is focusing on these issues to build upon the Biden administration’s legacy.

On the other side, J.D. Vance represents a different kind of political figure—one molded in the populist fervor that swept Donald Trump into the White House in 2016. Best known as the author of Hillbilly Elegy, Vance’s meteoric rise in Republican politics culminated in his 2022 Senate victory in Ohio. His partnership with Trump has solidified him as a voice for conservative values, aiming to reduce government spending, boost manufacturing, and tackle immigration issues. Vance’s challenge will be to show that his relative inexperience in national politics can be a strength in representing “outsider” values​.

Debate Format: No Holds Barred

CBS has introduced a unique format for this 90-minute debate, departing from some of the norms of past vice-presidential face-offs. There will be no opening statements, and crucially, no live fact-checking by moderators. Instead, candidates will be tasked with fact-checking each other during rebuttals. CBS will provide live fact-checking through their online platform, giving viewers a parallel source of information while the debate airs.

Another notable aspect of the format is the absence of an audience, which is expected to create a more focused and less performative atmosphere. This stands in contrast to the energetic crowds often seen at rallies and campaign events, which frequently play a role in how candidates engage with one another. The lack of external distractions will force both Walz and Vance to rely solely on their debate skills and policy knowledge​.

Key Issues on the Agenda

While the debate format itself may be unusual, the topics up for discussion are expected to hit familiar notes from both campaigns. Here are some of the key issues likely to dominate the conversation:

• The Economy: Vance is expected to press Walz on the Biden-Harris administration’s economic record, highlighting concerns over inflation, rising interest rates, and government spending. Walz, in turn, will likely emphasize Democratic efforts to lower healthcare costs and boost job growth through green energy investments and infrastructure spending.
• Healthcare: With Walz having led Minnesota through the COVID-19 crisis, healthcare is anticipated to be a major point of discussion. Democrats, including Walz, are positioning themselves as defenders of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans like Vance are advocating for market-based solutions to improve efficiency and reduce government involvement.
• Foreign Policy and National Security: The ongoing crises in Ukraine and Taiwan will likely be major points of contention. Walz will defend the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine, positioning it as crucial to preserving democracy. Vance, reflecting the isolationist streak of the Trump base, may call into question the U.S.’s level of involvement in foreign conflicts, seeking a more restrained approach to global military engagement.
• Immigration: Vance has been vocal about the need for stronger border controls and reducing illegal immigration, themes central to the Trump campaign. Walz is expected to defend the Democratic stance on immigration reform, which aims to balance national security with a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.

What’s at Stake?

This debate comes at a time when voters are beginning to solidify their views ahead of the November election. While presidential debates typically draw the most attention, vice-presidential debates can still have an outsized impact—especially in tight races. In this case, the contrast between Vance’s populist rhetoric and Walz’s experience and policy focus will be particularly stark.

Moreover, this debate will serve as a critical opportunity for both candidates to boost their respective campaign’s momentum. Walz will be looking to shore up the Democratic base, particularly by appealing to progressives who may still be uncertain about Harris’s second term. Meanwhile, Vance will attempt to consolidate support among Trump’s populist following and attract undecided voters with his “outsider” message.

How to Watch the Debate

For those interested in watching live, the debate will be aired across multiple platforms. CBS News will host the event, with simulcasts on major networks including ABC, NBC, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and PBS. Coverage will begin as early as 7 p.m. ET on most networks, with pre-debate analysis and commentary. If you’re looking to stream online, CBS, ABC, and several other outlets will offer live streams of the event.

Final Thoughts

With only one vice-presidential debate on the docket, tomorrow night’s showdown between Tim Walz and J.D. Vance is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the 2024 election. Both candidates come from different political traditions and bring contrasting views on key issues facing the nation. As they take the stage in New York, voters will be watching closely, ready to evaluate not just their policies, but their temperament, vision, and readiness to lead.

This is a debate you won’t want to miss. Tune in at 9 p.m. ET to see how the future of the 2024 race may be shaped by tomorrow’s performance.