Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz took the stage for Tuesday’s first and only Vice Presidential Debate in New York City.
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The critical points of the debate focused on immigration, abortion, foreign policy, and the economy, and some exchanges heated towards the end when Vance and Walz discussed former President Trump’s actions during the 2020 election. Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris was primarily the main focus of Vance’s criticisms regarding her policies and record, specifically the economy and immigration. However, Walz also addressed the insurrection of the Capitol on January 6 and Trump’s stance on abortion, CBS News reported.
“So I think this issue of settling our differences at the ballot box, shaking hands when we lose, being honest about it, but to deny what happened on January 6, the first time in American history that a President or anyone tried to overturn a fair election and the peaceful transfer of power. And here we are four years later in the same boat,” Walz explained. In response, Vance said he focused more on the future and wanted the country to advance.
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“Tim, I’m focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in the wake of the 2020 COVID situation?” he asked, which Walz called a “damning non-answer,” referencing Trump’s stance on censorship.
“Obviously, Donald Trump and I think that there were problems in 2020. We’ve talked about it. I’m happy to talk about it further. But you guys attack us for not believing in democracy. The most sacred right under the United States democracy is the First Amendment. You yourself have said there’s no First Amendment right to misinformation.”
However, the Vice Presidential candidates did come to an agreement when it came to policies regarding immigration, Amber Thurman’s death due to a lack of legal abortion access, and families who were significantly impacted by gun violence. There was also a moment when Vance expressed sympathy for Walz’s 17-year-old son, who witnessed a shooting during a volleyball game.
At the end of the debate, the candidates concluded with their closing statements:
Tim Walz: “They believe in a positive future of this country. And one where our politics can be better than it is. And I have to tell you that, that better than it is is the sense of optimism that there can be an opportunity economy that works for everyone, not just to get by, but to get ahead. And the idea that freedom really means something. Not the freedom of government to be in your bedroom or exam room, but the freedom for you to make choices about yourself. Now, look, we all know who Donald Trump is. He’s told us. And as Maya Angelou said, “Believe him when he told you that.” His first inaugural address talked about American carnage and then he spent four years trying to maybe do that. Senator Vance tonight made it clear he will stand with Donald Trump’s agenda. He will continue to push down that road. Excuse me. Kamala Harris gives us a different option. Now, I have to tell you, I’m going to be careful about the quotes, but there’s one that Senator Vance said that does resonate with me. He said, “Donald Trump makes the people I care about afraid.” A lot of America feels that way. We don’t need to be afraid. Franklin Roosevelt was right. “All we have to fear is fear itself.” Kamala Harris is bringing us a new way forward.”
JD Vance: “And I believe, as a person who wants to be your next Vice President, that we are a rich and prosperous enough country where every American, whether they’re rich or poor, ought to be able to turn on their heat in the middle of a cold winter night. That’s gotten more difficult thanks to Kamala Harris’s energy policies. I believe that whether you’re rich or poor, you ought to be able to afford a nice meal for your family. That’s gotten harder because of Kamala Harris’s policies. I believe that whether you’re rich or poor you ought to be able to afford to buy a house. You ought to be able to live in safe neighborhoods. You ought to not have your communities flooded with fentanyl. And that, too, has gotten harder with Kamala, because of Kamala Harris’s policies. Now, I’ve been in politics long enough to do what Kamala Harris does when she stands before the American people and says that on day one she’s gonna work on all these challenges I just listed. She’s been the Vice President for three and a half years. Day one was 1400 days ago. And her policies have made these problems worse. Now I believe that we have the most beautiful country in the world. I meet people on the campaign trail who can’t afford food, but have the grace and generosity to ask me how I’m doing and to tell me they’re praying for my family. What that has taught me is that we have the greatest country, the most beautiful country, the most incredible people anywhere in the world. But they’re not going to be able to achieve their full dreams with the broken leadership that we have in Washington.”
