On October 1, 2024, CBS News aired the U.S. vice presidential debate between Democratic candidate Tim Walz and Republican candidate J.D. Vance. The debate covered critical issues including U.S. policy towards Iran, women's abortion rights, immigration, and global warming.
The debate began with a discussion on American policy towards Iran, which had launched a second massive missile attack on Israel within six months just hours before the debate. Walz claimed that Iran is closer to developing nuclear weapons due to what he termed Donald Trump’s indecisiveness as president. He pointed out that Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran contributed to Tehran's progress in this area.
In response, Vance disputed Walz's assertion, stating that Trump made the world 'more stable and secure' during his presidency by creating an effective deterrent system that made nations fearful of crossing boundaries.
Walz accused Vance and his party of 'dehumanizing and degrading' immigrants, referencing Vance's past comments regarding Haitian migrants in Springfield. Vance linked the rising levels of migration, particularly illegal immigration, to increasing housing costs in the U.S. and criticized current Vice President Kamala Harris for failing to address these issues.
On the topic of abortion, Walz urged Republicans to refrain from interfering in women's private lives, stating, 'We are for women. We are for the freedom to make their own decisions.'
While vice presidential debates typically do not have a decisive impact on elections, Reuters notes that in the current context, where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have nearly equal support, even minor shifts in public opinion resulting from Walz or Vance's statements could prove crucial.