Washington/New York. For the first and probably only time, US vice presidential candidates Tim Walz (Democrats) and JD Vance (Republicans) will meet in a TV duel early on Wednesday morning (3 a.m. CEST). This offers both an important opportunity to convince voters – especially in the contested so-called swing states – of themselves and the presidential candidates. Democrat Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump are running against each other in the presidential election on November 5th.
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The most important information about the TV duel Walz against Vance at a glance:
Who is organizing the TV duel between the vice candidates?
The debate will be shown in New York on the US broadcaster CBS News.
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Who moderates?
Journalists Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan will ask the questions.
What are the rules?
There are no opening statements or a live audience. Candidates are not allowed to use pre-written notes but are provided with a pen, paper and water.
They each have two minutes to answer a question, followed by two minutes for an answer from the opponent and a one-minute reply. The debate lasts 90 minutes, including two four-minute breaks. During these breaks, Walz and Vance staff are not permitted to interact with candidates. A fact check by the moderators is not planned. Vance has the final word – this was decided by a coin toss.
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Are there any special features regarding the technology?
The candidates’ microphones will be on throughout the debate, but may be muted by CBS if necessary. A countdown counter shows the remaining speaking time.
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What issues might play a role in the Walz-Vance debate?
The focus of the election campaign – and probably also of the duel – is particularly on the topics of migration, abortion and the economy. The Republicans around Trump and Vance accuse the Democrats of misguided policies on the southern border with Mexico. On the issue of abortion, Democrats are calling for the nationwide right to abortion to be restored, while Republicans want to leave the decision to the states.
When it comes to economic policy, Republicans blame the government under US President Joe Biden and his deputy Harris for the high cost of living. For their part, Harris and Walz are promoting investments, for example in climate protection, strengthening workers’ rights and higher taxes on the wealthy.
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Will there be personal attacks?
Quite possible. In the previous election campaign, Vance questioned Walz’s military career, while Walz described the Republican as “strange” and criticized his closeness to billionaires.
Walz, who served in the National Guard, is a former teacher and current governor of Minnesota and presents himself as a down-to-earth Midwesterner. Vance, who recently began representing his home state of Ohio in the Senate, grew up in a working-class family, made a career in the financial sector after the military and a Yale degree, and became known for his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.” Both will try to use their biographies for attack and defense.
