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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
Biden sends well-wishes to Walz in social media post
President Joe Biden sent well-wishes to Walz in a post on X from his campaign account on Tuesday night ahead of the CBS News vice presidential debate.
"Coach, I got your back tonight! Tonight, America will see the strong, principled, and effective leader I've known for years—and the contrast you and Kamala provide against the other team," Biden wrote.
-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim
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.
"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
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
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."