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Vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance exchanged criticisms of their presidential rivals while debating on key issues bordering on international conflicts, U.S economy, Immigration and abortion rights.
The debate however could be the final of the 2024 campaigns ahead of the November poll.
The debate was specifically centred on a policy focused discussion on Tuesday which marked the first meeting between Minnesota’s Democratic governor and Ohio’s Republican senator since last month’s debate featuring Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
The encounter occured just five weeks ahead of Election Day, coinciding with millions of voters beginning to cast early ballots.
The Iranian threat to regional stability and U.S. interests worldwide sparked a debate, prompting Walz to criticise Trump.
“Steady leadership is essential,” Walz stated, noting “nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump discussing crowd sizes” and addressing global crises via Twitter.
Vance pledged to restore “effective deterrence” against Iran, echoing Trump’s policies while countering Walz’s criticisms of Trump by targeting Harris and her position in the Biden administration.
He stated, “Who has been the Vice President for the last three and a half years and the answer is your running mate, not mine.”
He emphasised that the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, occurred during the administration of Kamala Harris.
The candidates also addressed key issues including housing policy, the economy, and climate change, particularly in the light of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which resulted in over 160 fatalities across several states.
Vance expressed condolences for the victims, stating, “I’m sure Governor Walz joins me in saying our hearts go out to those innocent people. Our prayers go out to them.”
The statement contrasted sharply with Walz’s previous criticisms of President Biden and Vice President Harris for allegedly politicising the response to the hurricane.
Vance emphasised the need for a strong federal response, aiming to save as many lives as possible.
Also immigration issues were raised with the Ohio Republican Senator emphasising concerns over the U.S. southern border, a place perceived as Democratic voters' vulnerability.
In response, Walz pointed out that former President Trump played a significant role in undermining bipartisan legislation supported by the Biden administration, which aimed to implement some of the strictest immigration policies in the U.S. history.
Abortion rights, also constituted a significant topic in the 2024 election debates.
Walz referenced the tragic stories of Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, two women from Georgia, whose deaths were linked to abortion restrictions in their state.
Vance stated that his stance on abortion has evolved, noting that initially in favour of national restrictions, he had reconsidered his position after aaserting that a significant majority of Ohio voters advocated access to abortions.
Additionally, Vance clarified that he did not advocate a national abortion ban during his 2022 Senate campaign, despite previously implying support for such a measure. Instead, he emphasised the need for a “minimum national standard.”
Former President Trump took to his social media platform during the debate to assert that he would veto a national abortion ban.
However, he has also claimed that credit for the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which has enabled conservative states to impose bans or restrictions on the procedure.
However, the debate was charactersised by a generally cordial atmosphere and instances of agreement.
