Complete Guide to the Upcoming VP Debate between Vance and Walz
Next week, the pair will engage in a debate in New York City.
TroibNews 
JD Vance and Tim Walz are scheduled to clash in the vice presidential debate, which is expected to be the final significant debate for vice presidential or presidential candidates in this election cycle.
This encounter between the Republican senator from Ohio and the Democratic governor of Minnesota comes three weeks after the presidential debate featuring nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Although this will mark their first time sharing the stage, both Vance and Walz have already taken jabs at each other’s performances.
Walz gained considerable attention online even before Harris selected him as her running mate, after he referred to Trump, Vance, and Republicans overall as “weird” during a July MSNBC interview. This remark resonated with many and became a staple critique for Democrats. In response, Trump countered by stating, “they’re the weird ones,” adding, “I’m a lot of things, but weird I’m not.”
Vance has targeted Walz’s military history, leading to a wave of Republican criticism after he accused Walz of “stolen valor” due to the timing of his military retirement. Walz has stood by his military record, asserting it “speaks for itself.”
The two midwestern candidates agreed to participate in the debate in early August. Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer is portraying Walz during Vance’s practice sessions, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is acting as Vance in Walz’s preparation.
Here’s what you need to know about the event:
**When is the debate?** The debate will commence on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET, lasting for 90 minutes with two four-minute commercial breaks.
**Where is the debate?** CBS will host the debate at their CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.
**Who is moderating the debate?** CBS’ "Evening News" host Norah O’Donnell and "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan will moderate the vice presidential debate. Both have previously moderated the 2020 Democratic presidential primary debate, but this will be their first time overseeing a presidential or vice presidential debate.
**How can I watch the debate?** Viewers can watch the debate on CBS as well as livestream it on platforms that offer CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+. A simulcast will also be made available according to the network.
A livestream of the debate can be found at PMG.com.
**What are the debate rules?** Each candidate will have two minutes to respond to a question, two minutes to reply to their opponent’s response, and one minute for rebuttal. Unlike previous debates featuring Trump, where candidates were muted during their opponent’s speaking time, both candidates’ microphones will remain live throughout the debate, although CBS maintains the authority to mute them if necessary.
Candidates will also have two minutes for their closing statements. Vance won the coin toss determining the order of closing statements and chose to speak last. There will be no opening statements.
During breaks, candidates are prohibited from interacting with campaign staff or using pre-written notes. They will be provided with a pen and paper on stage.
**Will the candidates be seated?** Vance and Walz will stand behind podiums during the debate. This is a shift from recent tradition, as candidates have typically been seated during vice presidential debates since 2000. Walz will be positioned at the podium to the right of viewers’ screens, while Vance will be on the left.
**Will there be a live audience?** Similar to this year's presidential debates, there will be no live audience present. This marks a departure from most previous vice presidential debates, including the 2020 debate which did have a small, socially distanced audience due to pandemic concerns.
**Will there be more debates?** It seems unlikely. Vice presidential candidates usually only participate in one debate prior to an election. Vance did challenge Walz to a second debate earlier in September, but that offer did not come to fruition.
Trump has also declined a second debate with Harris after she suggested a rematch. Harris stated, “we owe it to the voters” to have another debate following her strong performance earlier this month, but Trump responded that “it’s too late,” emphasizing that his June debate with Biden already met the typical two-debate standard in presidential elections, especially with early voting beginning in some states.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
This encounter between the Republican senator from Ohio and the Democratic governor of Minnesota comes three weeks after the presidential debate featuring nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Although this will mark their first time sharing the stage, both Vance and Walz have already taken jabs at each other’s performances.
Walz gained considerable attention online even before Harris selected him as her running mate, after he referred to Trump, Vance, and Republicans overall as “weird” during a July MSNBC interview. This remark resonated with many and became a staple critique for Democrats. In response, Trump countered by stating, “they’re the weird ones,” adding, “I’m a lot of things, but weird I’m not.”
Vance has targeted Walz’s military history, leading to a wave of Republican criticism after he accused Walz of “stolen valor” due to the timing of his military retirement. Walz has stood by his military record, asserting it “speaks for itself.”
The two midwestern candidates agreed to participate in the debate in early August. Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer is portraying Walz during Vance’s practice sessions, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is acting as Vance in Walz’s preparation.
Here’s what you need to know about the event:
**When is the debate?** The debate will commence on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET, lasting for 90 minutes with two four-minute commercial breaks.
**Where is the debate?** CBS will host the debate at their CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.
**Who is moderating the debate?** CBS’ "Evening News" host Norah O’Donnell and "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan will moderate the vice presidential debate. Both have previously moderated the 2020 Democratic presidential primary debate, but this will be their first time overseeing a presidential or vice presidential debate.
**How can I watch the debate?** Viewers can watch the debate on CBS as well as livestream it on platforms that offer CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+. A simulcast will also be made available according to the network.
A livestream of the debate can be found at PMG.com.
**What are the debate rules?** Each candidate will have two minutes to respond to a question, two minutes to reply to their opponent’s response, and one minute for rebuttal. Unlike previous debates featuring Trump, where candidates were muted during their opponent’s speaking time, both candidates’ microphones will remain live throughout the debate, although CBS maintains the authority to mute them if necessary.
Candidates will also have two minutes for their closing statements. Vance won the coin toss determining the order of closing statements and chose to speak last. There will be no opening statements.
During breaks, candidates are prohibited from interacting with campaign staff or using pre-written notes. They will be provided with a pen and paper on stage.
**Will the candidates be seated?** Vance and Walz will stand behind podiums during the debate. This is a shift from recent tradition, as candidates have typically been seated during vice presidential debates since 2000. Walz will be positioned at the podium to the right of viewers’ screens, while Vance will be on the left.
**Will there be a live audience?** Similar to this year's presidential debates, there will be no live audience present. This marks a departure from most previous vice presidential debates, including the 2020 debate which did have a small, socially distanced audience due to pandemic concerns.
**Will there be more debates?** It seems unlikely. Vice presidential candidates usually only participate in one debate prior to an election. Vance did challenge Walz to a second debate earlier in September, but that offer did not come to fruition.
Trump has also declined a second debate with Harris after she suggested a rematch. Harris stated, “we owe it to the voters” to have another debate following her strong performance earlier this month, but Trump responded that “it’s too late,” emphasizing that his June debate with Biden already met the typical two-debate standard in presidential elections, especially with early voting beginning in some states.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
