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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, 8:57 PM EDT

Tonight’s viewers have largely already made up their mind

Debates are big deals, and it’s tempting to treat tonight like a potential game-changer in the campaign. But the reality is, most people who are planning to watch tonight aren’t still candidate-shopping. A YouGov/CBS News poll from late last week asked people who were planning to watch the debate why they were planning to do so; 71% said to root for their party’s candidate and 61% said to see if the other side made a mistake. Only 24% said to help them decide who to vote for.

—538’s Nathaniel Rakich

Oct 01, 2024, 8:56 PM EDT

'It's game time': Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris gave her running mate a good luck sendoff in a post on X less than 10 minutes before the debate started.

"@TimWalz, it's game time," she said. "I am excited for the country to see you in action."

-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim_

Oct 01, 2024, 8:43 PM EDT

Springfield voters want 'fewer memes, more solutions' from the campaigns

The Ohio town was at the center of a political firestorm after Vance and Trump amplified false claims that Haitian migrants were eating people's pets.

Voters there told ABC News' Terry Moran what they want to hear from both campaigns in these final weeks of the race.

"They know the city is on a recovering path," Moran said. "What they want is practical, pragmatic solutions to the problems they face. If there are going to be immigrants in this community that don't speak the language, they need more help with the translation. They need more resources for primary care, for school teachers."

"They want to hear fewer memes, more solutions."

Read more about what unfolded in Springfield and Vance's false claims about the migrants there.

A mural is displayed in an alley downtown, Sept. 16, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio.
Luke Sharrett/Getty Images

Oct 01, 2024, 8:34 PM EDT

Trump's advice to Vance: 'Have fun'

Former President Trump said he told his running mate to "have fun" ahead of tonight's debate.

"He's a smart guy. He's been amazing. He's been a real warrior," Trump said of Vance during a campaign event in Milwaukee.