A fierce debate unfolded between two Midwestern politicians, each aiming to become the vice president of the United States. However, the showdown between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance was overshadowed by unfolding events in the Middle East. Iran had launched a series of ballistic missiles in response to Israel’s attacks in Lebanon and Gaza, setting the stage for a tense atmosphere during the debate.
Walz, a Democrat, warned of consequences for Iran’s actions, while Vance, the Republican candidate, emphasized unwavering US support for Israel. The debate, hosted by CBS News in New York, marked a crucial moment in the US presidential race, just five weeks before election day on November 5. It was likely the final face-off between Vance and Walz in the 2024 election cycle.
As the debate unfolded, each candidate made their case for why their ticket should win. Vance touted Trump’s “common sense” approach, while Walz highlighted Kamala Harris’s record of “steady leadership” and criticized Trump for his chaotic leadership style. Here are five key takeaways from the debate:
1. The opening question focused on Israel and Iran, with Walz emphasizing the need for steady leadership and criticizing Trump’s handling of the Iran nuclear deal.
2. Vance defended Trump’s foreign policy approach, citing peace through strength as a key principle.
3. The debate revisited the issue of immigration, with Walz calling out Vance for spreading unfounded rumors about Haitian migrants in Ohio.
4. Fact-checking became a point of contention, with Vance pushing back against live fact-checking by the moderators.
5. The candidates clashed on the role of experts in decision-making, with Vance arguing that experts had misled the American people on key issues.
Overall, the debate highlighted the stark differences between the two candidates and their approaches to key policy issues. The race for vice president was heating up as election day drew closer, with both candidates making their final pitches to the American people.