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

Both candidates were pressed in the first question on whether they'd support a preemptive Israeli strike on Iran if it was determined that Tehran had secured a nuclear weapon.

Walz started off shaky, at one point confusing Israel and Iran but declaring that Harris would provide "steady leadership" while noting that at the first presidential debate, "80-year-old Donald Trump" was "talking about crowd sizes."

Vance began by rattling off his biography before saying that "Donald Trump actually delivered stability in the world" by creating "deterrence" and "peace through strength."

Walz responded that Trump's "fickle leadership" helped Iran get near a weapon by backing out of a U.S.-led nuclear deal and that "we need the steady leadership that Kamala Harris is providing."

Walz and Vance shook hands before the debate started.

There was no handshake during the last vice presidential debate because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vance and Walz started at their podiums for tonight's debate, so far the only scheduled matchup between the two vice presidential nominees.