US Vice-Presidential Candidates Set for Debate in New York City

The two U.S. vice-presidential candidates, Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance and Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz, are set to face off in a debate in New York City. The event will occur on Tuesday night, just over a month before the presidential election. This vice-presidential debate follows a single presidential face-off between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, who selected Vance and Walz, respectively, as their running mates.

The debate is scheduled for 90 minutes, beginning at 21:00 EDT (02:00 BST) on October 1, at the CBS Broadcast Center. The event will be televised on CBS network TV and streamed on CBS News platforms and Paramount+. Moderation will be handled by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan. The debate format includes two four-minute breaks, and microphones will be kept on regardless of whose turn it is to speak, unlike the previous presidential debate.

The candidates will stand instead of being seated, marking a change from the last three vice-presidential debates. Governor Walz will take the stage left, while Senator Vance will stand opposite him. Notably, campaign aides will not be permitted to interact with the candidates during breaks, and neither candidate can bring written notes on stage.

Both candidates will have two minutes to answer questions posed by the moderators, with an additional two minutes for their opponent to respond, and one minute for rebuttals. Though CBS has given the responsibility of fact-checking to the candidates themselves, moderators will aid in facilitating these opportunities.

The debate will not have a live audience, and there will be no opening statements. Each candidate will have two minutes for closing remarks, with Vance winning the coin toss for the final word.

Preparation for the debate has been intense on both sides. Walz has been practicing with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg posing as Vance, while Vance is being coached by Republican Congressman Tom Emmer of Minnesota, his lawyer wife Usha Vance, and Trump adviser Jason Miller. Walz is anticipated to challenge Vance on his past controversial comments and policies, while Vance may criticize Walz for his COVID-19 measures and certain legislative actions.