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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, 9:23 PM EDT

Claim: Walz: 'The person closest ... to Donald Trump, said he is unfit for the highest office. That is Senator Vance.'

Fact Check: True

Vance has shifted his view toward President Trump since he first rose to prominence. Early in his career, Vance made a number of comments that were disparaging toward Trump. The specific comment that Walz seems to be referencing here is from a 2016 New York Times op-ed written by Vance ahead of the release of his book “Hillbilly Elegy." In the op-ed, Vance wrote that “Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.” In years since the op-ed was published, Vance has said his views on Trump changed.

—Allison Pecorin

Oct 01, 2024, 9:21 PM EDT

Vance pressed on mass deportation plans

Vance was pressed on his proposal to mass deport immigrants.

The senator argued that it was time to "stop the bleeding" contending Harris' policies have allowed for more criminal activity.

He maintained that the first deportations should be those with criminal histories and the country should go back to Trump's border policies.

Oct 01, 2024, 9:20 PM EDT

Vance, Walz offer contrasting views on climate change when questioned on Hurricane Helene

Asked about climate change's role in extreme weather amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Vance said Trump supports clean air and water, but expressed skepticism carbon emissions play a role in such weather events.

Vance's comments come one day after Trump bluntly denied any connection between climate change and the devastating storm.

Walz, meanwhile, emphatically said during his response: "Climate change is real."

Tia Yang Image
ByTia Yang
Oct 01, 2024, 9:17 PM EDT

Americans are torn about Israel's actions so far

Americans are fairly split about what's happening in the Middle East and America's role in it. In a YouGov/The Economist poll from Sept. 21-24, 18 percent favored increasing military aid to Israel, 38 percent favored decreasing military aid, and 25 percent thought the U.S. should maintain the same amount. (20 percent were not sure.) They were similarly mixed on whether the Israeli government's response to Oct. 7 has been too harsh.

More than half of Americans, 51 percent, thought it was fairly or very likely the conflict would lead to a wider war. The recent escalation of conflict in the region likely furthers those worries.

—538's Monica Potts