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Walz-Vance debate updates: VP candidates tangle on abortion, immigration and Jan. 6

Walz and Vance squared off for the first and only time this election cycle.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, Brittany Gaddy, and Tal Axelrod
Last Updated: October 1, 2024, 11:54 PM EDT

Vice presidential candidates Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance squared off for the first and only time this election season.

Unlike the last two presidential debates, the candidates appeared to be more cordial. However, both running mates criticized the presidential candidates on a host of issues including gun violence, reproductive rights, immigration and climate change.

Walz appeared to have nerves in the opening of debate, but went on the attack as the night went on. Vance took aim at Harris and her policies and pushed Trump's policies.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing:
Oct 01, 2024, 6:09 PM EDT

Harris, in fundraising pitch, says Walz 'is ready' to debate Vance

Vice President Harris, in a fundraising pitch email to supporters, said Walz "is ready" to debate Vance.

"In just hours, Tim Walz will debate JD Vance," she wrote. "I know that he is ready. And it would help if he knew donors like you had his back before he got on stage."

Harris added that "Tim has been an outstanding partner out on the campaign trail over the last two months," and "I have the utmost confidence in the team we've built."

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow

Oct 01, 2024, 3:51 PM EDT

Biden has 'complete confidence' in Walz: White House

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wouldn't say during the White House press briefing on Tuesday whether President Joe Biden would watch the vice presidential debate, but she said the president has "complete confidence" in Walz.

"He continues to be very busy with all of the events happening today," she said during Tuesday's briefing. "But he has complete confidence in Tim Walz."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks, Oct. 1, 2024, during a briefing at the White House in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Oct 01, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT

Gabbard predicts 'stark contrast' between Walz and Vance during debate

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard spoke to ABC News Live on Tuesday where she criticized Walz's lack of media interviews, predicting that it will show in the debate.

"I think there's going to be a stark contrast here, given JD Vance has been out on the road doing multiple interviews," she told ABC News Live. "I think he's done more interviews than any candidate in this election, whereas Tim Walz has been very quiet on that front."

"I think this opportunity tonight, I hope, will not be more of the same kind of political theater that we've seen in so many of these debates, but actual substantive discussion and debate and accountability," Gabbard -- who endorsed Trump -- continued.

-ABC News' Casey McShea

Oct 01, 2024, 3:42 PM EDT

Walz taking debate 'very seriously': Harris campaign spokesperson

Ahead of Tuesday's debate, Adrienne Elrod, Harris campaign senior adviser and spokesperson, made an appearance on ABC News Live and said that Walz is taking it "very, very seriously."

"Gov. Walz is taking this debate very, very seriously because you understand the magnitude of this moment," Elrod said. "He's going to continue to really talk about the Harris-Walz priorities, what their administration would look like, lowering costs for middle class families, protecting the Affordable Care Act, not getting rid of it."

-ABC News' Casey McShea