NEW YORK (AP) — Both Democrat Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, and Republican J.D. Vance, senator from Ohio, focused many of their attacks, largely cordial, on the presidential candidates in the first and only debate between the candidates for Vice President of the United States.
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Each one pointed to the current crises as a reason for voters to choose Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump in November.
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The debate took place in the last weeks of an electoral campaign that has been defined by strong and personal attacks, as well as historical events, including the withdrawal of one candidate and two assassination attempts against another.
Surveys indicate that Harris and Trump are engaged in a close contest as early voting begins in different parts of the country, which gives more weight to everything that could influence undecided voters, including the impression left by the vice-presidential candidates.
How was the debate between Walz and Vance?
The heated tone of the campaign was largely replaced by deep political discussions, and the candidates occasionally pointed out that they agreed with what the other was saying, even as they outlined opposing positions on the future of the country.
At a moment when Walz said that his teenage son had witnessed a shooting at a community center, Vance expressed empathy. "I'm sorry for that. Christ have mercy," Vance said. "I appreciate that," Walz responded.
Former President Trump, who tried to grab attention on Tuesday by posting real-time comments online during the debate, was one of the main topics as Walz and Vance debated whether Americans should send him back to the White House.
Walz indicated that Trump was wrong about the country's issues and portrayed him as a chaotic ruler. Vance countered him in every response and defended the man he once harshly criticized.
"What is crucial here is that stable leadership will be important," Walz said in response to a question about the situation in the Middle East. "And the world saw it in that debate a few weeks ago, a nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes is not what we need right now."
In his reply, Vance argued that Trump is an intimidating figure whose presence on the international scene is his own deterrent.
"Governor Walz may criticize Donald Trump's tweets, but smart and effective diplomacy and peace through strength are the ways to restore stability to a very divided world," he stated.
The debate in New York, organized by CBS News, began with a sober tone reflecting the growing national and international concern regarding security. However, it escalated with sharper attacks from both Walz and Vance, leading to a moment where the moderators interrupted the discussion by turning off the microphones of the two candidates.
Who won the debate?
For most analysts, J.D. Vance looked much better than a slightly nervous Tim Walz. However, NBC News noted that the Democrat was much clearer and more direct in attacking Donald Trump.
Vance's "civilized" tone also stood out, as he didn't even question, as he had done on other occasions, Walz's military past in the National Guard.
Vice presidential debates are usually not seen as key in changing voters’ opinions or motivating undecided voters.