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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.
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
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.
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."
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
Vance squeezes in an opening statement
Tonight’s debate didn’t start with opening statements, instead launching right into a question about conflict in the Middle East. At least one of the candidates thought that was pretty awkward, as Vance tried to answer the question by introducing himself first. That’s important for Vance, as America doesn’t really like him: He has a net favorability rating of -11 percentage points, according to 538’s average.
—538’s Nathaniel Rakich