During last week’s vice-presidential debate, candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz discussed several key issues.
In what was likely the final debate of this campaign season, vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz met in a civil discussion that focused on several important policy areas.
The moderators posed questions concerning the worsening conflict in the Middle East, immigration, gun control, hurricane Helene, and the ongoing port strike in the United States. When asked if either candidate would support Israel returning a strike against Iran, Walz dodged the very first question of the debate. Vance vowed to support any choice Israel makes in response.
Both debaters took the route of challenging the presidential candidate on the opposing ticket.
On immigration, Vance continually reminded viewers that Vice President Harris has failed to enact her proposed policies to remedy the situation at the border during her time in office. He said to his debate opponent, “I think that you want to solve this problem, but I don’t think that Kamala Harris does.” Walz countered by pointing out that Trump failed to fulfill his promise to build the wall during his single presidential term.
On abortion, JD Vance took the defensive position and reaffirmed that Trump will not support a federal abortion ban. This election cycle, Trump has said the issue of abortion limitations should be decided by the states. Walz said, “These are women’s decisions. We trust women. We trust doctors.”
Both candidates recognized the importance of the United States continuing to produce energy domestically during a discussion about climate change and its impacts.
Towards the end of the debate, Walz asked Vance pointed questions about the January 6th insurrections that challenged Donald Trump’s 2020 loss. Walz called Vance’s response a “damning non-answer” and recalled that former Vice President Mike Pence was not asked to be Trump’s running mate again because he certified the former president’s loss.