Democratic vice-presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz and Republican vice-presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance met publicly on Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. in New York, five weeks before the 2024 Presidential Election. The candidates engaged in a policy-focused debate that covered a variety of issues.
“I was expecting a lively policy-oriented debate that would demonstrate the current political divide between the two parties,” said Dr. Gary Rose, Scholar in Residence and political science professor at Sacred Heart University.
Rose is also the author of many books discussing political topics, including “New England Local Government: The Case of Connecticut.”
Republican VP candidate JD Vance (left) and Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz (right) at the Vice Presidential debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Matt Rouke. AP News
“My expectations were fulfilled, and I was especially impressed with the succinct and substantive performance of Sen. Vance. He was more prepared for this debate and more confident compared to Gov. Walz,” said Rose.
Sophomore Jeanna Neglia noted that throughout the debate, Vance and Walz were civilized with one another and focused their criticism on their running mates rather than one another.
“I thought the debate was congenial. Both candidates were respectful towards one another,” said Neglia.
Both candidates made promises regarding foreign policy following Iran’s missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1. Walz promised “steady leadership” under Vice President Kamala Harris while Vance pledged “peace through strength” and “effective deterrence” against Iran under former President Donald Trump.
The candidates also discussed the topic of abortion. Vance argued abortion laws should be left to the states, whereas Walz argued that a woman’s “basic right” should not be determined by “geography.”
Walz personalized the issue of abortion by mentioning Amber Thurman, a woman who had to wait over 20 hours to receive a dilation and curettage medical treatment to clear out the remaining tissue left from taking abortion pills. Thurman developed sepsis and died.
Vance agreed with Walz by saying that Thurman should still be alive.
Vance then referred to the Republican Party’s proposals such as tax credits, expanded childcare aid and a more even economy, which would economically help women and children and thus eliminate the need to terminate pregnancies. Walz counters this by saying that such policies can still be pursued while allowing women to make their own decisions regarding abortion.
The candidates also discussed the topic of climate change. Vance argued that moving manufacturing to the United States because of its title as the world’s cleanest energy economy is the best way to fight this threat; Walz referred to President Joe Biden’s renewable energy investments and record levels of oil and natural gas production in his argument.
Regarding immigration, both candidates agreed that the number of illegal immigrants was an issue in the U.S. Vance said that in Harris’s time as VP, she reversed the immigration policies that Trump had enforced when he was in office. Walz argued that Trump killed a bipartisan Senate deal that would tighten border security and improve the processing system for immigrants.
When asked about the events that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021 and if he believed that Trump lost the election, Vance redirected the question by saying that a big threat to democracy was that Democrats try to censor people on social media.
“Both campaigns have reason to be happy: most people will see what they want to see and it’s unlikely to change anything about the race,” said Dr. Steven Michels, the Department Chair of Political Science and Global Affairs at SHU.
“The Harris campaign had some momentum going into this debate, but it’s still a tie,” Michels said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
