Tim Walz and JD Vance clashed in last night's vice-presidential debate over critical issues including abortion, school shootings, and immigration. The tone was polite yet telling. Here's what happened.
Walz shared personal tales to protest Trump's decision to repeal Roe v. Wade. He cited instances from Texas and Kentucky, claiming that abortion access is a fundamental human right. In contrast, Vance refuted Walz's assertion regarding a pregnancy register and maintained his position.
When talking about gun control, Walz advocated for tighter gun control measures in response to school massacres, citing his Minnesota policies. He discussed visiting Sandy Hook parents and underlined the need for safety rather than turning schools into fortresses. Vance, however, suggested increasing school security by fortifying doors and windows.
Walz chastised Trump and Vance for instilling fear about immigration, citing Trump's resistance to a bipartisan border-security bill. Vance, on the other hand, blamed Harris for border issues during the Biden administration. He also avoided concerns about separating immigrant families.
As far as their tone, Walz seemed uneasy, especially when he botched his claim to have been in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen demonstrations. His misunderstanding about befriending school shooters rather than victims went viral. Vance remained polished throughout the discussion, but he avoided directly answering questions about Trump administration policies on family separations.
The discussion was less intense than the presidential debate, yet it was powerful. With the race so close, every second matters.