On Oct. 1 NBC-hosted the Vice Presidential debate, a 105-minute showdown between Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was, in many regards, a return to form.
Reminiscent of a time where debates entailed civil policy discussions and not ping-ponging insults or comparing golf prowess, Walz and Vance colored within the lines, steering away from the chronic interrupting and ad hominem attacks we’ve become accustomed to in recent years.
Walz was notably consistent with Harris’ platform. He maintained their position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, claiming that “Israel has a right to defend itself,” and Vance shared a similar view. According to Al Jazeera, the death toll in Gaza has passed 42,000, and the fighting has spread to Lebanon and Iran. This issue has driven a wedge in the Democratic party, with many voters concerned as the Biden administration continues to siphon billions into Netanyahu’s attacks on The Islamic Resistance Movement.
On the issue of abortion, Walz remained steadfast, arguing that the choice should be entirely in the hands of women, rather than the government. He raised multiple examples of abortion bans leading to tragic outcomes for many women and girls. Vance avoided a direct response to the question, opting to mention an abortion procedure undergone by his wife and ultimately echoing Donald Trump, stating that abortion laws should be left to the state.
Vance, who entered the debate with suboptimal ratings, set out to prove himself to be a more relatable figure and shed the “weird” label that Walz has used since Vance’s appointment as Trump’s Vice-Presidential pick. This manifested itself in the debate as he spoke through a family-focused lens, bringing up his own relatives and highlighting relatable issues for families, such as inflated prices. He mirrored Trump’s strict border policy as well, focusing on the opioid crisis and encouraging increased border-related spending.
Vance was not in entirely perfect form, however. He stumbled when asked about the former president’s involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, claiming the duo was “focused on the future.” Walz shot back, condemning his response as a “damning non-answer.” The moderators later intervened after he furthered false claims about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio — he interrupted them. “The rules said you weren’t going to fact check,” Vance said, which wound up being one of the rockier sound bites of the debate. His level-headed and smooth speech did surprise viewers, especially when juxtaposed with his running mate’s more erratic mannerisms. On the other side, Walz had a rougher start, stumbling over his words, but eventually warmed up to provide clear answers.
