Republican Sen. J.D. Vance and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz met Tuesday in a Manhattan TV studio for the first — and only — scheduled vice presidential debate.
The 90-minute debate, hosted by CBS News in New York, gives Mr. Walz and Mr. Vance a big platform to introduce themselves to a national audience and assuage undecided voters’ lingering doubts about former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
It is the last scheduled marquee event of the tight-knit presidential race. Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump debated for the first time last month in Philadelphia.
Ms. Harris has called for another debate, but Mr. Trump has rejected the idea after chastising ABC debate moderators for being biased.
Norah O’Donnell of “CBS Evening News” and Margaret Brennan, host of ‘Face the Nation,” are moderating the vice presidential debate, which kicked off at 9 p.m.
CBS announced it would not be fact-checking the candidates but said its journalists would be sussing out claims in real time. Viewers will access their claims through a QR code displayed on the screen.
The vice presidential debate is playing out days after Hurricane Helene devastated states across the southeast and as dock workers went on strike at ports from Maine to Texas, shutting down operations and threatening to snarl supply chains.
Mr. Vance and Mr. Walz are also facing off amid rising concerns about a Middle East war after Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles into Israel in response to the Jewish state killing Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
Meanwhile, early voting has gotten underway in some states, adding to the urgency surrounding the campaign’s efforts to win over the remaining fence-sitters and ensure their supporters do not remain on the sidelines.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.