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Walz-Vance debate updates: Abortion takes center stage alongside immigration

The matchup could have an impact on critical undecided voters.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, Brittany Gaddy, and Tal Axelrod
Last Updated: October 1, 2024, 10:22 PM EDT

The vice-presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance could prove to be a major factor in the presidential election -- given how close the race is and its potential impact with undecided voters.

The 90-minute CBS News showdown started at 9 p.m. ET in New York City. ABC News Digital will live blog throughout the debate. Stay with ABC News for post-debate analysis on air and online.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing:
3 hours ago

Stefanik, in spin room, says Iran's latest attacks raise stakes of national security issues

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., surrogating for Vance, predicted that Iran's attacks Tuesday on Israel could be a part of the debate questions, saying the latest development in the Middle East has raised the stakes of the importance of national security issues.

Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks to the media in support of Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance in the spin room before the Vice Presidential debate in New York City, Oct. 1, 2024.
Sarah Yenesel/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

"I think that as the American people are seeing the unprecedented hypersonic ballistic missile attack directly from Iran launched into multiple quantities, that raises the stakes," she said in the spin room. "It also provides an opportunity for JD Vance to compare the peace through strength, and the peace, specifically in the Middle East under President Trump, versus this catastrophe that we're seeing around the world."

-ABC News' Soo Rin Kim

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

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

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