As the US presidential election draws closer with just one month left before voting day, the vice presidential candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties engaged in a debate. In contrast to the tense atmosphere of the debates between Trump and Harris, the debate between the Senator from Ohio and the Governor of Minnesota showcased a harmonious and friendly atmosphere. Both vice presidential candidates strived not to detract from their respective presidential contenders.
Harris’ running mate, Walz, did not pursue Pence’s remarks about the “cat lady without children”, and Pence’s running mate, Vance, did not press Walz about his exaggerated claims regarding his time in China during the Tiananmen Square protests. Both sides seemed determined to shape a friendly and rational image, reducing the risk of losing points in front of the national audience. The focus of the debate was mainly on policy differences.
This debate took place hours after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1st. Therefore, the debate moderator opened with a question about the Middle East issue. The moderator asked the candidates if they supported Israel launching a “preemptive strike” against Iran.
Walz did not directly answer the question, but reiterated the importance of Washington’s role in defending Israel and countering Iran’s proxy actors in Lebanon and Gaza. He criticized Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, praising the Biden-Harris administration for its role in helping Israel successfully repel two missile attacks by Iran this year.
Vance, on the other hand, stated, “It’s up to Israel, what they think is needed to ensure national security.” And that the US should support its allies, “wherever they are, when fighting bad guys”. He praised Trump’s global reputation as a strong leader, believing that Trump had built effective deterrence during his tenure.
He hailed the Trump administration as the only US presidency in the past 40 years not to have a war outbreak, and accused Iran of accessing over $100 billion in unfrozen assets for purchasing weapons due to the Biden administration. Last year, President Biden extended a sanctions waiver allowing Tehran to access up to $100 billion in frozen power revenue to purchase unsanctioned goods.
Throughout the debate, China became a punching bag. Both candidates criticized each other for being either too pro-China or not tough enough on China.
Vance praised Trump for starting a trade war and imposing comprehensive tariffs on Beijing, ending the era of free trade with China. Vance stated, “This is the first time in a generation that Donald Trump, with wisdom and courage, said to the consensus of the two parties, we are not going to do this anymore. We are bringing manufacturing back to America.”
Trump proposed raising tariffs on Chinese goods to over 50%. Vance commended Biden for largely maintaining Trump’s initial tariffs but believed Harris opposed tariffs.
Walz, defending Harris, stated that on the issue of bringing manufacturing back to America, Harris and Trump shared the same view. Although Harris opposed tariffs during the presidential campaign four years ago, her campaign team recently told The New York Times that she supported “targeted strategic tariffs.”
Walz’s relationship with China became a key point of contention for the Republicans. Shortly after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, Walz taught in Guangdong province and later led his American students on over ten trips to China. Republicans questioned his close ties to the CCP. However, in reality, during his tenure as a congressman, Walz often criticized the CCP and its poor human rights record.
During the debate, Walz defended his trips to China, stating that those trips allowed him to learn a lot. “I’ve learned a lot about China. I’ve heard the criticisms—I think Donald Trump should have gone on one of those trips with us. I guarantee you he wouldn’t be praising Xi Jinping for the handling of the COVID pandemic.”
Amid soaring prices, inflation is the most concerning issue for voters. Vance questioned Harris’ leadership on economic issues. He questioned why, as Vice President for three and a half years, Harris had not immediately implemented any grand plans if she had them.
“Because she’s been Vice President for three and a half years, so she has had the opportunity to create all these great policies. And what she’s actually done is increase food costs by 25%, housing costs by about 60%, opened the southern border, making it impossible for many Americans to afford a middle-class life. If Harris has such great plans on resolving middle-class issues, she should be doing it right now, not when seeking a promotion, but in the job that the American people entrusted to her three and a half years ago.”
Subsequently, Vance praised Trump’s presidency for bringing economic prosperity to America.
“Now, Donald Trump’s economic plan is not just a plan, it’s a record. Many economists criticized Donald Trump’s plan, they have a Ph.D., but they lack common sense and wisdom because Donald Trump’s economic policies have brought the highest real wages for this country’s generation, 1.5% inflation, and peace and security around the world.”
Vance praised Trump’s tax cut plan: “Many resources were used to provide higher real wages to the American middle class and working class. It passed in 2017, you see the prosperity of the US economy, something different from what our generation has seen in this country. I’m proud to maintain this record, we will return to common sense wisdom so that you can achieve the American dream again.”
Walz countered by saying that Trump mishandled the pandemic, leading to an economic collapse. “We were already in a manufacturing recession before the COVID-19 pandemic erupted. But with 10 million people unemployed, the largest percentage since the Great Depression, 9 million jobs were lost as a result.”
When pressed by the moderator on what Harris has done for the middle class, Walz responded, “Harris has a record. The IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) added 250,000 manufacturing jobs.”
The “Inflation Reduction Act” is a bill passed by the US Congress in August 2022, covering areas such as taxes, clean energy, healthcare, aimed at alleviating domestic inflation, reducing prescription drug prices, and promoting environmentally friendly policies.
Cracking down on illegal immigration is a selling point in Trump’s campaign. Trump promised to implement the largest deportation program in US history. In the debate, Vance once again outlined this blueprint, pledging to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. He also accused Harris of undoing many executive actions that restricted border entry under Trump, “allowing fentanyl” to enter the US.
Walz countered by stating that in the past 12 months, there has been the largest drop in opioid-related deaths in American history, with a 30% decrease in Ohio. He claimed that Harris aims to address the problem of drug trafficking, being the only one in this election to prosecute transnational criminal organizations trafficking in humans and drugs.
Walz also criticized Trump for obstructing legislative efforts to curb illegal immigration, specifically a bill proposed by conservative Oklahoma Senator James Langford. “These need to be done through the legislative body. You can’t just do it through the executive branch.”
Women’s abortion rights are a hotly debated issue in the presidential race. While Vance denied supporting a nationwide abortion ban, he accused the Democratic Party of “being pro-abortion.”
“We have implemented partial birth abortion bans at the federal level. I don’t think anyone is trying to change that, or at least I hope not, even though I know that the Democratic Party takes a very radical position in support of abortion,” Vance said during the debate.
In response to Vance’s accusation of the Democratic Party “supporting abortion,” Walz sharply replied, “No, we don’t support that. We support women. We support your freedom to choose.”
US political history shows that vice presidential debates are not crucial. In 1988, Democrat Lloyd Bentsen defeated Republican Dan Quayle in the vice presidential debate. However, Quayle later won overwhelmingly and was sworn in as Vice President.
However, the results of this debate were positive for both vice presidential candidates. According to a CBS poll, on the question of “if necessary, are they ready to assume the presidency?”, both Walz and Vance received a majority vote. 60% of people believe Walz is ready, while 55% believe Vance is prepared.
Walz did not damage the Democratic ticket and displayed some charm from the Midwest. Vance’s strong performance may boost the Republican Party in the days to come.
Given Vance’s young age of 40, his confident and clear performance in this vice presidential debate will likely make him a rising star among conservatives.