High-Stakes VP Debate: Walz vs. Vance
Location: New York — As the November elections draw nearer, Vice Presidential candidates JD Vance of Ohio and Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, are set to face off in the only scheduled debate on Tuesday evening. This engagement marks a significant moment for both candidates, who are relatively new to the national political landscape.
The debate follows closely on the heels of the only debate between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting the tight race during this election cycle.
Debate Timing and Coverage
The debate is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET and will last for 90 minutes, mirroring the format used in the presidential debates. It will conclude at 10:30 p.m. ET, allowing for an in-depth discussion on pressing political issues.
Debate Moderators
Esteemed CBS anchors Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan will serve as moderators for the event, adding a layer of seasoned experience to the proceedings. Both have a reputation for incisive questioning and journalistic integrity.
Where and How to Watch
Cable Broadcast
The debate will be aired live on CBS, with coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET across its broadcast stations. Viewers are encouraged to check local listings to ensure they can watch the important event.
Streaming Options
For those without cable, the debate will be available for streaming on the CBS News app, as well as on Paramount+ and CBS News 24/7, which can be accessed via online platforms including CBSNews.com and even YouTube.
Debate Format and Rules
Both presidential candidates have agreed to a format that includes 90 minutes of debate with scheduled commercial breaks. Notably, the moderators will not allow the candidates to interact with campaign staff during these breaks. The debate wil be conducted without an audience, following a format established in previous national debates to mitigate unforeseen disruptions.
Candidates will engage directly with their polling audience, starting with Walz standing at the left podium and Vance at the right. Each candidate will be constrained to answers without pre-written notes or visible props, ensuring that their exchanges are genuine and unscripted. The candidate’s response time will be strictly monitored: two minutes for initial responses and one minute for rebuttals, with the possibility for extra time at the moderators’ discretion.
Insider Intimations
Interestingly, Vance strategically opted to speak second during the closing segment, following a recent virtual coin toss that set the order of closing statements.
