In a duel lasting a little over an hour and a half, Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance clashed over the economy, the right to abortion and migration policy, one month before the election which will oppose their candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
The most civil political debate of the last ten years? No insult, almost no word louder than the other: the duel this Tuesday, October 1 between the running mates of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, JD Vance and Tim Walz, allowed millions of Americans to hear the Democrats’ proposals and Republicans one month before the presidential election.
Exactly three weeks after the tense television confrontation between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the two men defended their colors during the last debate before Tuesday, November 5, the date of the election.
• Support for Israel against Iran
International news obliges, Iran’s attacks against Israel this Tuesday opened the debate. “A Donald Trump of almost 80 years old, who talks about the size of the crowds (at his meetings) is not the person we need at the moment,” launched Democrat Tim Walz from the outset.
Senator JD Vance, on the contrary, praised the leadership qualities of the former Republican president whom he supports, assuring that he had “brought stability to the world”. The two men also showed their agreement on Israel’s right “to defend itself”.
• Tim Walz accuses his rival of dehumanizing migrants
But the debate was largely devoted to questions of domestic politics. Tim Walz and JD Vance notably discussed the housing crisis, health insurance, firearms and the economy.
On the subject of immigration, Tim Walz accused his Republican rival of “dehumanizing” migrants. JD Vance is one of the first Republican figures to have relayed the false theory according to which Haitian migrants eat cats and dogs, then taken up by Donald Trump.
“The consequences in Springfield are that the governor had to send law enforcement to escort children to school,” lamented Tim Walz. “By supporting Donald Trump and not working together to find a solution (to the migration issue, editor’s note), it becomes a campaign argument, and when it becomes a campaign argument, we slander and dehumanize other human beings .”
• Strong opposition on the right to abortion
The other highlight of the debate was the clash between JD Vance and Tim Walz over women’s rights and in particular the right to abortion. “We trust women. We trust doctors,” said the Democrat.
Since 2022 and the overturning of the Roe V. Wade ruling, each state can ban abortions. Thousands of women have been victims of these restrictions, particularly in the very conservative south of the country.
If the Democrat wishes to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision, JD Vance explains that he and Donald Trump consider that we must “let the voters choose”. “This is what makes the most sense in a country that is sometimes very divided,” he said, defining himself as being “pro-family in the fullest sense of the word.”
• The assault on the Capitol still on everyone’s mind
In an America more divided than ever, the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 by Donald Trump supporters remains in everyone’s minds. Many fear similar actions in 2025 in the event of Kamala Harris’ victory, Donald Trump still not having recognized having lost to Joe Biden in 2020.
“Democracy is more important than winning an election,” said Tim Walz. “I tell you, when this is all over, we have to shake hands.”
Recalling that Donald Trump “lost” the election four years ago, the Democratic governor asked his rival if he recognizes Joe Biden’s victory. The Ohio senator declined to answer, saying there were “problems” with the last vote.
Even if it is generally accepted that the debates between the running mates have a relatively weak influence, this one could take on particular importance: Donald Trump having refused to face Kamala Harris again, this oratorical contest should be the last of the campaign .
