Abortion, the economy and the Middle East crisis dominated the confrontation between Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance — particularly civilized in a campaign so far marked by very violent rhetoric.
One of the tensest sequences of this 90-minute program was devoted to immigration.
Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ right-hand man in the race for the White House, accused his Republican rival of “dehumanizing” migrants by relaying the false theory according to which Haitian migrants eat cats and dogs, later taken up by Donald Trump.
The Republican billionaire’s running mate, for his part, criticized the Democrats for having “radical” positions on voluntary terminations of pregnancy, he who is known for having defended a federal ban on abortion.
“We are pro-women. We are for the freedom to make your own choices,” replied Mr. Walz, 60 years old.
U.S. Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance (left) and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz shake hands at the start of the vice presidential debate. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Israel, Iran
The escalation between Israel and Iran also featured in the debate between the two running mates, each defending the leadership style of their candidate at the White House.
“A Donald Trump of almost 80 years old, who talks about the size of the crowds (at his rallies) is not the person we need at the moment,” criticized Tim Walz, welcoming the “solidity” of the profile of the American vice-president.
Senator JD Vance, serene throughout the broadcast, on the contrary praised the qualities of the tempestuous septuagenarian, against whom “people fell into line”.
Faced with two CBS journalists, the two men also debated at length the merits of climate change, after the passage of the hurricane Helene.
The Republican forty-year-old, known for his climate-skeptical remarks, denounced the “bizarre science” motivating some of the Democrats’ positions. He also, once again, refused to acknowledge that Donald Trump had lost the 2020 presidential election.
Tim Walz, particularly nervous at the start of the debate, admitted to having been wrong about the date of one of his trips to Hong Kong in 1989 – the Republicans having accused him of having sought to stage himself during the Tiananmen pro-democracy movement, which was bloodily repressed.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks during a vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News, featuring Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Key States
More than that of Kamala Harris, it is the personality and policies of Donald Trump which punctuated the exchanges between the two men.
“JD blew it up!” commented the main person concerned at the end of the debate, mocking on the contrary the “low IQ” of Tim Walz.
The Harris camp also declared victory, saluting the “passion” of the Democratic running mate.
Even if it is generally accepted that the debates between the vice-presidential candidates have a relatively weak influence on the vote, this one could take on particular importance: Donald Trump having refused to face Kamala Harris again, this contest oratory could be the last of the campaign.
Their face-to-face meeting could perhaps convince undecided voters likely to swing the famous seven hotly contested key states.
But Tuesday’s show was also an opportunity for everyone to fill a real awareness gap.
Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, was little known outside his state when Kamala Harris chose him to form the Democratic “ticket”.
As for JD Vance, an atypical senator with a populist anti-immigration discourse, he had very little political experience before Donald Trump offered to assist him.
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during a vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News, featuring Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. , Tim Walz. (Matt Rourke/AP)
