VP debate highlights: Vance thrived on stage while Walz struggled to find his footing

Vance and Walz had a relatively civil debate even over hot-button issues like abortion, the economy, immigration, gun control and more

JD Vance has his mic cut as VP candidates spar over immigration

Ohio Senator JD Vance appeared more confident, polished and prepared than Minnesota Governor Tim Walz during the vice presidential debate in New York City.

In the refreshingly calm debate, Vance spread falsehoods about immigration and refused to admit his running mate, Donald Trump, lost the 2020 election, yet he managed to outperform Walz.

Vance gave a noticeably softer performance than usual and rarely wavered in his responses – even when confronted with his past comments about Trump and his recent false claims about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio.

Meanwhile, Walz struggled to find his footing, he appeared nervous and unsure in some of his answers. The Democratic vice presidential nominee got more comfortable in the 90-minute debate, but his even-keeled answers failed to outshine some of Vance’s.

Democrats reportedly privately voiced concerns that Walz could underperform in the debate because of his tendency to get heated while defending his record in office. However, he did not live up to that expectation.

The candidates went head-to-head on abortion, immigration, gun control and January 6.

At one point, moderators were forced to cut the vice presidential nominees’ microphones because they refused to stop interrupting.

Key Points

• Vance appeared more confident than Walz during debate
• JD Vance has his mic cut as VP candidates spar over immigration
• Vance refuses to admit Trump lost 2020 election
• Moderators confront Walz on Tiananmen Square protest attendance

[1 October 2024 23:30 · Ariana Baio]

Trump backing out of 60 Minutes interview

Donald Trump is reportedly pulling out of the 60 Minutes interview he agreed to, CBS News said in a statement.

Just hours before the network is set to host the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, they announced the former president would no longer participate in the interview that was supposed to air next Monday, October 7.

“After initially accepting 60 Minutes’ request for an interview with Scott Pelley, former President Trump’s campaign has decided not to participate. Pelley will address this Monday evening. Our election special will broadcast the Harris interview on Monday as planned. Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on 60 Minutes stands,” CBS News said in a statement.

[1 October 2024 23:15 · Oliver O'Connell]

[1 October 2024 23:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

6,000-pound nude Trump statue vanishes from Vegas road days after being erected

A nude statue of Donald Trump erected next to a Las Vegas highway didn’t stay up for long.

The 43-foot-tall installation resembling the former president in a birthday suit had towered over Interstate 15 north of Las Vegas since September 28. But now, it has disappeared, according to the New York Post.

Kelly Rissman reports on the mystery.

[1 October 2024 22:45 · Oliver O'Connell]

Who are the moderators of tonight’s vice presidential debate?

Tonight sees CBS News host the vice presidential debate between Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in New York.

It is the first and only meeting between the two vice presidential candidates. Voters in several states have already begun receiving their ballots for the election presidential election on November 5.

Moderating the debate will be Norah O’Donnell, anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News, and Margaret Brennan, moderator of Face the Nation and chief foreign affairs correspondent. No audience will be present for the debate.

Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s moderators, per CBS News.

Norah O’Donnell

O’Donnell has earned multiple Emmy Awards over her nearly three decades of experience in journalism. She is covering her eighth presidential election and has interviewed every living president of the United States.

She has been anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News since 2019, leading CBS News’ flagship broadcast from Washington, DC. O’Donnell recently secured a historic interview with Pope Francis.

O’Donnell has conducted interviews with newsmakers in Washington and beyond for the CBS Evening News, including President Biden’s first interview since taking office; an exclusive sit-down with Vice President Mike Pence after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani; the first-ever interview with the four highest-ranking women in the US military; an exclusive interview with a former staffer for New York’s then-Governor Andrew Cuomo who alleged sexual harassment; and more.

She also contributes to 60 Minutes and is the host of CBS News 24/7’s Person to Person.

O’Donnell joined CBS News in 2011 as chief White House correspondent and was the co-anchor of CBS This Morning from 2012 to 2019.

She began her career as a print reporter for Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, before working for more than a decade at NBC News, where she covered the Pentagon, Congress and the White House. O’Donnell is a graduate of Georgetown University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Margaret Brennan

Brennan has been moderator of Face the Nation since 2018, when she became the second woman to host the prestigious Sunday morning public affairs program. She has interviewed world leaders like Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as congressional leaders including House Speakers Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi.

In 2023, Face the Nation was recognized with a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in TV Political Journalism, citing Brennan’s moderating approach as “measured, completely consistent, researched and prepared”.

Before becoming moderator of Face the Nation, she held several roles at CBS News, including State Department and White House correspondent. She remains the network’s chief foreign affairs correspondent.

She has covered historic moments such as the landmark nuclear deal with Iran; restoration of diplomatic ties with Cuba; the standoff with North Korea; the conflict in Ukraine; and the accord to transfer control of Syria’s chemical weapons. She broke the news that members of Trump’s Cabinet were discussing invoking the 25th Amendment following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, and her interview with Kevin McCarthy in 2023 played a role in his ouster as speaker just days later.

She began her career as a producer at CNBC and spent a decade covering global financial markets before joining CBS News in 2012. Brennan graduated from the University of Virginia in 2002.

[1 October 2024 22:30 · Oliver O'Connell]

Vance’s unpopularity is unprecedented, polling expert says ahead of debate

If the 2024 presidential election boils down to a popularity contest, Senator JD Vance may be in trouble.

The Republican vice presidential candidate is currently suffering from a negative-11 favorability rating, according to polling reviewed by CNN’s Harry Enten.

During a recent segment on the network, Enten discussed the gulf between Vance’s dismal likability scores and those of his Democratic challenger, Governor Tim Walz, who enjoys a plus four favorability rating in the same poll. The two candidates will face off on Tuesday night for the vice presidential debate.

“Oy vey, when it comes to JD Vance,” Enten said.

Graig Graziosi reports.

[1 October 2024 22:15 · Oliver O'Connell]

VP debate: Who is backing up each candidate in the spin room tonight?

These are the Democrats that will be stumping for Tim Walz in the spin room at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City tonight:

• Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
• Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona
• Governor Jared Polis of Colorado
• Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois
• US Representative Jasmine Crockett
• Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison
• Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico

And here’s your reminder of who is in JD Vance’s corner:

• Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller
• Donald Trump Jr
• Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas
• Senator Katie Britt of Alabama
• US Representative Elise Stefanik
• US Representative Byron Donalds
• Howard Lutnick

[1 October 2024 22:04 · Oliver O'Connell]

Harris says Iran is threat to American personnel and interests as well as innocent civilians

Vice President Kamala Harris gave remarks on today’s attack on Israel by Iran: “Iran is not only a threat to Israel, Iran is also a threat to American personnel in the region, American interests, and innocent civilians across the region who suffer at the hands of Iran based and backed terrorist proxies.”

Harris says she “fully” supports President Joe Biden’s order for the US military to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel and that joint defenses appear to have succeeded.

“I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias.”

Watch her full remarks here:

[1 October 2024 22:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Self-proclaimed billionaire Trump launches GoFundMe to help hurricane victims

Despite being worth an estimated $4 billion, Donald Trump launched a GoFundMe page, asking others to donate to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The GOP nominee launched a “Trump authorized” fundraiser to help those impacted by the deadly storm that hit the southeastern part of the country last week.

Kelly Rissman reports.

[1 October 2024 21:56 · Oliver O'Connell]

Watch: MAGA fans greet Harris-Walz bus outside CBS Broadcast Center

[1 October 2024 21:50 · Oliver O'Connell]

I watched hours of JD Vance and Tim Walz past debate footage. Here’s what I learned

Eric Garcia writes:

The Independent reviewed multiple debate performances from Walz and Vance’s career. For Walz, we looked at his first debate in 2006 when he ran for Congress; his 2010 re-election debate after he voted for Obamacare; and his 2022 debate when he ran for re-election for governor in the aftermath of strident Black Lives Matter protests.

For Vance, The Independent reviewed two of his primary debates when he was at the back of the pack, and one of his general election debates against his Democratic opponent, Tim Ryan. We are also including coverage of his second debate with Ryan.

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