The final major debate of the 2024 election cycle will take place on Tuesday, October 1, as Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz face off in the highly anticipated vice presidential debate. The event comes three weeks after the contentious presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, with both sides now focusing on their running mates.
The Candidates: JD Vance vs. Tim Walz
JD Vance, the Republican senator from Ohio, and Tim Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota, bring contrasting backgrounds to the debate stage. While this will be their first formal debate together, they’ve already exchanged sharp attacks during their campaigns.
Walz gained attention earlier in the year for calling Trump and Vance “weird” during an MSNBC interview, a comment that sparked backlash from Republicans and became a viral moment. Trump responded, saying, “I’m a lot of things, but weird I’m not.”
Vance, meanwhile, has questioned Walz’s military record, accusing him of “stolen valor” due to the timing of his military retirement. Walz has consistently defended his record, stating it “speaks for itself.”
Debate Format and Moderators
The 90-minute debate will be moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, both veteran journalists from CBS News. O’Donnell, host of CBS Evening News, and Brennan, host of Face the Nation, will oversee the event at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.
While the rules of the debate are yet to be announced, it’s expected to follow a structured format, allowing both candidates to address critical policy issues while taking direct aim at each other’s platforms.
Viewing Options
CBS will broadcast the debate live across all its platforms, including CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+. A livestream will also be available on POLITICO.com, providing viewers various ways to tune in.
The Political Stakes
This debate is likely the last opportunity for either Vance or Walz to make a significant impact ahead of the November election. Though Vance challenged Walz to a second debate earlier in September, no additional debates are planned. For Trump, there will be no second presidential debate with Harris, despite her calls for a rematch after their initial face-off.
With early voting already underway in some states, this debate will be a critical moment for undecided voters, setting the tone for the final stretch of the 2024 election.
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