In the U.S. vice-presidential debate, Democrat Tim Walz and Republican J.D. Vance sparred over key issues, including foreign policy, the economy, and immigration, while largely focusing their criticisms on their respective running mates.
The debate, unfolded in a relatively calm manner despite the sharp political divide, especially when compared to recent presidential debates.
Walz framed the race as a need for stable leadership amid growing tensions in the Middle East. “What’s fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter,” Walz said, pointing to recent conflict in the region. He criticized Trump’s foreign policy approach, saying, “A nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes is not what we need in this moment.”
Vance pushed back by arguing that Trump’s presence on the world stage brought stability through strength. “Effective, smart diplomacy and peace through strength is how you bring stability back to a very broken world,” Vance countered, defending his running mate’s tough stance on international issues.
The debate also touched on domestic concerns, including the economy and immigration.
On abortion, both candidates shared personal anecdotes to underscore their positions. Walz spoke about cases where restrictive laws endangered women’s lives, while Vance acknowledged the complexity of the issue, distancing himself from a national abortion ban despite his party’s previous stance.
Walz accused Vance of vilifying immigrants, referencing a controversial statement made by Trump. “This is what happens when you don’t want to solve it, you demonize it,” Walz said, urging for a more inclusive approach to immigration reform.
Vance responded by highlighting the economic pressures caused by immigration, specifically in his home state of Ohio, saying, “We’ve seen housing and economic strains that the current administration is ignoring.” The exchange led to a brief moment where the moderators cut the candidates’ microphones as tensions rose.