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During a notable debate in New York on Tuesday night, vice-presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz discussed US foreign policy and immigration, presenting divergent views on America’s global role as the 2024 presidential race enters its final stage. This was the first and likely only debate between the running mates of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
The debate closely followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to retaliate against Iran after the country launched ballistic missiles at Israel. Both vice-presidential candidates were queried on their stance regarding a potential pre-emptive strike by Israel on Iran.
Tim Walz aligned with Vice President Kamala Harris’s earlier condemnation of Iran’s attack, affirming support for Israel’s defense capabilities. However, Walz also criticized former President Trump, describing him as an unreliable leader who had undermined multilateral coalitions, referencing Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
JD Vance defended Trump, claiming the former president had enforced “peace through strength” and emphasized it was Israel’s prerogative to act in its national security interests. Vance questioned when an American president last avoided a major conflict, asserting that Trump’s presidency saw no significant wars.
The debate offered Vance an opportunity to boost his approval ratings, which have been lukewarm according to recent polls. An Associated Press poll indicated that 57 percent of registered voters viewed Vance unfavorably, compared to less than a third for Walz.
Vance, known for his strong stance on immigration since joining Trump’s ticket, reiterated claims, albeit controversial, regarding Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio. He blamed Harris and President Joe Biden for the ongoing immigration crisis, advocating for the resumption of border wall construction and the deportation of undocumented immigrants.
Walz, on the other hand, attributed the failure of immigration reform to Trump and Republican lawmakers, accusing them of dehumanizing immigrants. He responded to Vance’s assertions about Springfield by highlighting the pressures faced by the town due to increased migration, but stood by his previous statements.
This debate, hosted by CBS News, is likely the final televised vice-presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. While Harris has agreed to another presidential debate invitation from CNN, Trump has declined further participation.
According to the Financial Times poll tracker, Harris currently leads Trump by 3.6 percentage points nationally, though both candidates remain nearly tied in crucial swing states.
The previous presidential debate between Harris and Trump, broadcasted by ABC News, drew over 60 million viewers and was perceived as favorable for Harris. Despite this, the debate did not significantly alter poll numbers, and it is anticipated that Tuesday’s vice-presidential debate will similarly have minimal impact.
The stakes remain high for both Vance and Walz, as the debate provided a major platform for them to advocate for themselves and their respective presidential candidates to the American electorate.
Vance, previously seen as a rising star within the Republican party, faced declining approval ratings, especially among women, following his initial electoral success as a US Senator. He prepared for the debate with assistance from top Trump campaign advisers and his wife, Usha Vance.
Walz, Minnesota’s Democratic governor and a former educator and coach, prepared for the debate with the help of US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a notable communicator within the Democratic party.
