US VP Debate Overshadowed by Middle East Tensions
The final vice presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle took place Tuesday night, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and Ohio Senator JD Vance (R) facing off in a heated exchange. However, the focus quickly shifted from domestic policy to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, where Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel earlier in the day, Al Jazeera reports.
The debate, hosted by CBS News, opened with a question about the US role in the escalating conflict. Walz, emphasizing the need for “steady leadership,” stated that Israel’s right to self-defense was “fundamental.” He criticized former President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal with Iran, arguing that it had made the region less safe.
Vance, Trump’s running mate, countered by stressing the US’s unwavering support for Israel. He argued that Trump’s “peace through strength” approach had made the world safer. While initially avoiding a direct answer on whether he would support Israel in striking Iran, Vance eventually stated that “it is up to Israel what they think they need to keep their country safe.”
The debate also saw both candidates attempt to make a case for their respective tickets. Walz highlighted Vice President Kamala Harris’s “steady leadership,” while Vance touted Trump’s “common sense” approach.
Vance reiterated his claims that Haitian migrants in Springfield were causing widespread problems, including abducting and eating pets. These claims, which have been widely debunked, were previously made by Trump and promoted by Vance during a September 10 debate, prompting widespread criticism.
While CBS News announced they would not fact-check claims live, moderator Margaret Brennan pointed out that “Springfield, Ohio, does have a large number of Haitian migrants who have legal status, temporary protected status.” Vance, however, insisted his claims were valid and accused Brennan of violating the pre-debate agreement.
The heated exchange highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the handling of misinformation in political discourse. Trump’s campaign has consistently objected to fact-checking during media appearances, and his team even refused a 60 Minutes interview because of CBS News’ insistence on live fact-checking.
The debate also touched on the issue of gun violence, with both candidates facing questions about how to address the ongoing epidemic in the US. Walz did not directly address the issue, while Vance took a more resigned approach, suggesting that gun violence was a fact of life and that the best solution was increased security measures in schools.
The debate also saw a heated clash over former President Donald Trump’s continued claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Vance defended Trump’s actions, arguing that he “peacefully gave over power on January 20 as we have done for 250 years in this country.” He dismissed the concerns of Democrats, claiming that they are exaggerating the threat posed by Trump to democracy.
Walz, on the other hand, challenged Vance to condemn Trump’s false claims and put a stop to the ongoing election denialism.
“This has got to stop. It is tearing our country apart,” he declared, urging Vance to stand up to Trump just as former Vice President Mike Pence did in 2021. “Where is the firewall with Donald Trump?” Walz questioned. “Will you stand up? Will you keep your oath of office even if the president doesn’t?”
