Final Showdown: Walz and Vance Clash Over Middle East Crisis in Key VP Debate

The debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance is poised to be a significant moment in the 2024 campaign.

In New York, US vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz addressed the ongoing crisis in the Middle East during an undercard debate on Tuesday, which could play a crucial role in influencing voters just weeks before the election.

This debate, featuring Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota chosen by Kamala Harris, and Vance, the Republican senator from Ohio aligned with Donald Trump, is likely to be the last of the 2024 campaign. Trump has declined a second debate with Vice President Harris, making this a key opportunity for both tickets to present their views.

The first question addressed Iran’s missile attacks on Israel, prompting Walz to criticize Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his “turn towards” Vladimir Putin and the withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA.

“In contrast to Governor Walz’s claims that Trump is an agent of chaos, he actually brought stability to the world,” Vance responded, asserting that Trump established effective deterrence that kept adversaries in check.

Both candidates, aged 40 and 60 respectively, argue they represent the voices of critical swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, which could determine the outcome of this closely contested election.

Historically, vice-presidential debates do not significantly impact voter sentiment. However, this debate may hold additional weight, especially with Harris stepping in for President Biden late in the campaign.

Biden supported Walz, posting on X: “Coach, I got your back tonight!” As Vance and Trump have ramped up their divisive rhetoric, the debate promises to be lively.

The ongoing tensions in the Middle East may overshadow the debate, particularly after Iran launched ballistic missiles against Israel, which Israel claimed to have largely deflected. Trump, campaigning in Wisconsin, asserted that if he were in charge, such an attack would not have occurred, warning that a Harris-Walz victory would lead to chaos.

Trump encouraged Vance to “have fun” in the debate, calling him a “warrior.” Harris, meanwhile, reaffirmed her “unwavering” commitment to Israel’s security in response to what she labeled a “reckless and brazen attack.”

The CBS debate comes at a time when several states are recovering from Storm Helene, which has resulted in significant devastation and loss of life.

Both candidates, military veterans with solid blue-collar backgrounds, were selected by their party leaders to connect with voters in key Midwestern battlegrounds, where a small number of votes can determine the presidential election outcome.

Vance, known for his controversial remarks, including labeling Democrats as “childless cat ladies,” faces the challenge of overcoming initial polls that ranked him among the least popular VP nominees in history due to past comments on women and abortion.

“Vance must tread carefully, as he may fall into a trap,” noted Thomas Whalen, an associate professor of social sciences at Boston University.

Walz, aiming to increase his visibility among voters unfamiliar with him, gained popularity among Democrats for branding Vance and Trump as “weird” and promoting progressive ideas. However, Vance and Trump are likely to portray Walz and Harris as “Marxists.”

Trump remarked on Monday, “Vance is going up against a moron, a total moron,” adding further tension to the campaign narrative.