On Oct. 1, the first and only vice presidential debate before Election Day was held at the CBS broadcast center in New York. The two candidates — Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, representing the Republican Party, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, representing the Democratic Party — answered questions American voters are eager to hear as they consider their choice for president. Vance is the running mate of former President Donald Trump, while Walz is the running mate of current Vice President Kamala Harris.
DEBATE RULES
Moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margret Brennan asked questions to each candidate who then had two minutes to respond. At the moderators ‘ discretion, the opposing candidate had two minutes to rebuttal, followed by a minute for additional remarks.
The moderators could mute the mics of the candidates to ensure a civil discussion.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The first question, provided by Brennan, addressed the failed airstrike on Israel early Tuesday afternoon.
Walz declared that Israel had the right to defend itself but stressed the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He did not provide an answer as to whether or not he would support a preemptive strike by Israel.
Vance stated that he would support Israel’s actions to protect itself, noting that it is up to their jurisdiction what to do, and the United States should be behind them. He also did not give a direct answer.
ECONOMY
The economic plan presented by the Harris campaign includes billions of tax credits for manufacturing housing and a renewed child tax credit, but it would increase the nation’s deficit by $1.2 trillion, according to Wharton School. Walz claims the 12 percent increase in housing in Minneapolis lowered rent by 4 percent and the $6,000 child tax credit reduced poverty by one-third.
Walz’s argument concerning Trump’s economic plan was that it would increase inflation and could potentially lead to a recession.
“We’ll just ask the wealthy to pay their fair share and when we do, our system works best. More people are participating in it and folks have the things that they need,” Walz stated.
Wharton School also analyzed the Trump campaign would lead to a $5.8 trillion deficit.
Vance countered that Harris, despite being in office for years, has driven up the cost of food by 25 percent and the cost of housing by 60 percent.
Vance argued that the economists who evaluated Trump’s plans “lack common sense.” He stated Trump’s plan delivered the highest take-home pay in the country with only 1.5 percent inflation. This is needed, he stated, to restore the American Dream.
HUMANITARIAN PROTECTION
Hurricane Helene, the latest tropical storm to hit the southeast, opened the climate change discussion.
Vance stated that the Trump administration would dedicate themselves to putting the citizens first in the face of disaster. They are committed to providing clean air and clean water, yet stated that most of the energy being produced is from China, which causes problems for the United States.
He argued that the best course of action to get clean air and water is to invest in American workers.
Walz criticized Trump for calling climate change “a hoax” and argued that the U.S. technology has created over 200,000 jobs in solar manufacturing. He argued that his farmers are producing more natural gas and more clean energy and called for continued efforts to make the U.S. an energy superpower.
Vance rebutted, stating a lot of the solar panels and components that go into the solar panels are made in China, which contributes to a dirtier environment. He stated that producing more natural gas is needed.
ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Concerning reproductive rights, Walz signed a bill restoring Roe v. Wade in Minnesota shortly after it was overturned. He argued that Trump’s Project 2025 would limit access to contraceptives and infertility treatments.
Moderators also mentioned that Trump has previously accused Walz of supporting an abortion in the ninth month. To this, Walz replied, “That’s not what the bill says.”
Walz believes in restoring Roe v. Wade as a basic human right and argues that women and healthcare workers — not the states — should make those decisions.
The moderators asked Vance if he would create a federal pregnancy monitoring agency, to which he replied that he would not. He explained that he knew of many young women who experienced pregnancy at a young age who believed they needed to get an abortion due to their circumstances. It is for this reason, Vance explained, that he believes it is important to win the trust of the American people once again.
“I want us as a Republican party to be pro-family in the fullest sense of the word. I want us to support fertility treatments. I want us to make it easier for moms to afford to have babies. I want to make it easier for young families to afford a home so they can afford a place to raise that family and I think there is so much that we can do on the public policy front to just give women more options,” said Vance.
He ultimately concluded that the issue of abortion should be left to the states because of the country’s size and diversity.
GUN REGULATION
On gun regulation, Vance opposed the banning of semi-automatic rifles, including AR-15. He was asked if he believed that parents should be held responsible to deter gun violence. He explained that there is a difference between a kid stealing a gun and parents knowingly handing it over to their child.
Vance then stated that the open borders are responsible for illegally obtaining firearms. His solution is to improve safety in schools.
Walz shared that his 17-year-old son witnessed a shooting at a community center. While he agreed with 2nd Amendment rights, he proposed background checks for those who desire to own guns.
Vance then gave his regards to Walz concerning his son’s experience and agreed that this was a problem that needed to be addressed.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S.-Mexico border was another key issue.
Vance’s campaign supports mass deportation, using the military to do so.
The biggest question is whether or not he intends to separate legal children and illegal parents. Vance stated that the deportations would begin with criminal migrants, as well as building the wall.
“We start with the criminal migrants. About a million of those people have committed some form of crime in addition to crossing the border illegally,” Vance stated.
Vance argued that family separations are a result of Harris’ open-border policies.
“320,000 children that the Department of Homeland Security has effectively lost, some of them have been sex trafficked, some of them hopefully at home with their families, some of them have been used as drug trafficking mules,” Vance said.
He also claimed that this brings in drugs such as fentanyl and opioids to the United States.
Walz countered Vance, asserting that the “drug mules” claims were false. He also discussed the immigration bill crafted in Congress, claiming that Trump discouraged his party from voting for it as it created a problem for his campaign.
Vance reasserted that the problem was due to Kamala Harris opening the borders, undoing Trump’s 94 executive orders concerning the border.
Walz then mentioned the false information on immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, stating the only problem is that law enforcement has to escort children to schools. He argued that we cannot blame migrants for the problems the United States is having.
Vance ended this section of the debate describing the process of applying for asylum, much to the moderators’ discontent.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Despite Vance and Walz disagreeing on many issues brought up on Tuesday, the debate will be remembered as one of the most civil ones anyone has seen in a while. Despite the many disagreements the two held, they were able to see eye-to-eye on some issues.
As we become a more prominent part of society, election results and implemented laws begin to have a deeper effect on us. We cannot, as christians ignore what is happening in the world around us, especially in our government.
It is important to remember, as Christians, that debate isn’t an inherently bad thing. Vance and Walz were able to engage in a civil debate despite their opposing sides and different values. Paul engages in debates with others to present the gospel in Acts 17:2.
In the same way, when we disagree with people, we shouldn’t jump to insult them, but in humility remember that we are all made in the image of God. As it is stated in 2 Corinthians 13:11, “Finally, brothers, rejoice, mend your ways, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace, and the God of love and peace be with you all.”
