US Vice Presidential Debate: What Was Discussed And Who Won

With the elections scheduled on November 5 fast approaching and no further debates anticipated, it was a crucial night that would shape the results.

Unlike the debates between the Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the debate was more of a civil and relatively restrained conversation.

Here are the highlights of the US Vice Presidential debate: 

Middle East and Foreign Policy 

The debate opened with an urgent focus on the Middle East, where the ballistic missile attacks by Iran on Israel on Tuesday set the stage for a clash of foreign policy visions between Democratic and Republican candidates. 

Walz promised for 바카라�steady leadership바카라� under Kamala Harris and argued that effective governance is crucial during international crises. 바카라�What's fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter,바카라� he said. He critiqued Trump's approach, claiming that 바카라�nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump바카라� focuses on crowd sizes rather than substantive issues .

Vance, in contrast, advocated for a return to 바카라�peace through strength바카라� if Trump regains office. He responded to Walz's criticism by highlighting the current unrest as occurring during Harris바카라�s vice presidency, asking, 바카라�Who has been the vice president for the last three and a half years?바카라� This exchange illustrated the candidates바카라� differing perspectives on US leadership in the world.

Focus on running mates

Both candidates directed much of their criticism toward their respective running mates rather than each other. Walz challenged Trump바카라�s unfulfilled promise to build a border wall, stating, 바카라�Less than 2% of that wall got built, and Mexico didn't pay a dime.바카라� 

While Vance echoed Trump's sentiments, and claimed that Harris' policies contributed to a crisis at the southern border.

This strategy of speaking for their Presidential candidates reflected the reality that vice presidential candidates often act as surrogates for their running mates, allowing them to sidestep direct confrontation.

Immigration crisis and Springfield claim

The topic of immigration was a focal point during the debate, with both candidates acknowledging the crisis but placing blame on their opponents. 

While Vance repeatedly referred to Harris as the 바카라�border czar,바카라� a reference to her 2021 role in addressing the root causes of migration from Central America and claimed her policies have led to unchecked immigration and increased strain on local resources, Walz criticized Trump for obstructing a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year, asserting that the former president aimed to keep immigration as a campaign issue. 

바카라�We could come together and solve this if we didn바카라�t let Donald Trump continue to make it an issue,바카라� Walz said.

Highlighting the influx of migrants in cities like Ohio, he said, 바카라�You바카라�ve got schools that are overwhelmed, you바카라�ve got hospitals that are overwhelmed, you바카라�ve got housing that is totally unaffordable.바카라�

During the debate, Walz also picked on Vance바카라�s claims about Haitian immigrants allegedly eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. 바카라�There are consequences for this,바카라� Walz said. He highlighted that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, had sent state troopers to Springfield to ensure children바카라�s safety following a series of bomb threats.

In response to this, Vance said, 바카라�The people I care most about in Springfield are the American citizens.바카라�

Abortion and Healthcare

While discussing the healthcare issue in the US, the candidates also addressed reproductive rights of women which has been one of the major concerns. 

Walz defended his record against false claims regarding late-term abortion. He shared poignant personal stories to underscore the stakes involved, stating, 바카라�In Minnesota, we restored Roe v. Wade. 바카라�We made sure that we put women in charge of their health care.바카라�

Vance rebutted claims about a federal pregnancy monitoring agency, asserting that such measures were not on the table, while promoting pro-family policies that he argued would improve the Republican platform. He defended Trump바카라�s claim during his debate with Harris about having 바카라�concepts바카라� of a plan to replace Obamacare, a healthcare. Vance asserted that they would 바카라�of course바카라� cover Americans with preexisting conditions, a key tenet of Obamacare.

Climate change

On the pressing issue of climate change with a focus on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, both candidates framed their arguments within a domestic context. 

Vance asserted that moving more manufacturing to the US as the country has the world's cleanest energy economy. This, according to him, would not only create jobs but also address climate issues, sidestepping Trump바카라�s previous dismissal of global warming as a 바카라�hoax.바카라� 

Walz meanwhile countered by highlighting the Biden administration's investments in renewable energy and record levels of oil and natural gas production. 바카라�You can see us becoming an energy superpower in the future,바카라� he said.

Walz presence at Tiananmen Square

In a moment of vulnerability, Walz addressed discrepancies in his claims about his travel to China, admitting he may have 바카라�misspoke.바카라� 

Media reports ahead of Tuesday바카라�s debate raised questions about Walz바카라�s claims regarding his travel to China, which he previously stated was 바카라�about 30 times.바카라� The reports contradicted his statements, particularly regarding whether the Minnesota governor was in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.

A spokesperson for the Harris campaign said that it was 바카라�likely closer to 15바카라� times.

During the debate, when directly asked about the reports, Walz filibustered by discussing his upbringing and political journey describing himself as a 바카라�knucklehead,바카라� and admitted that he 바카라�misspoke바카라� about his presence at Tiananmen Square.

Vance later referenced Walz바카라�s claim in a question and said, 바카라�When you misspeak, you ought to be honest with the American people about that.바카라�

January 6 insurrection

The most contentious moment of the debate unfolded when Walz confronted Vance regarding the January 6, 2021, insurrection and former President Donald Trump바카라�s unsubstantiated claims about the 2020 election results. 

Vance, however, tried to minimize the violence that erupted when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, stating, 바카라�On January 6, what happened? Joe Biden became president; Donald Trump left the White House.바카라� 

바카라�January 6 was not Facebook ads,바카라� Walz firmly stated, further criticizing Trump바카라�s ongoing influence in undermining democratic processes.

Gun Violence in America

Walz and Vance discussed the urgent issue of gun violence in America, with a focus on the situation in schools. Both acknowledged the severity of the problem but despite their shared concerns, there was common ground on specific solutions.

Vance pertained the issue to border policy stating 바카라�Kamala Harris바카라� open border바카라� was a contributing factor to gun violence. This claim was met with skepticism, as the complexity of the issue was clearly established. Walz attempted to redirect the focus, asserting, 바카라�Sometimes it just is the guns.바카라� 

As Vance stressed on increasing security measures, such as reinforcing doors and windows, Walz, while agreeing on the need for safety improvements, questioned 바카라�Do you want your schools hardened to look like a fort?바카라� 

Who won the 2024 Vice Presidential Debate?

Although there is no clear answer to the question, JD Vance seemed to be leading according to public responses. CBS YouGov poll on the viewers' response to the VP debate showed that 42% believed that Vance won the debate, while 41% considered Tim Walz as the winner. However, 17% thought it was a tie.