All Eyes on 1st And Only VP Debate as JD Vance and Tim Walz Square Off in High-Stakes Showdown

The much-anticipated VP debate between Republican nominee Senator JD Vance and Democratic nominee Governor Tim Walz will take place on Tuesday, October 1, hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York.

This will be the first and only VP debate ahead of the 2024 elections, marking a pivotal moment in the campaigns.

Debate Details and Format

The VP debate, which begins at 9 p.m. ET, will be moderated by two of CBS News’ top journalists: Norah O’Donnell, the anchor and managing editor of “CBS Evening News,” and Margaret Brennan, the moderator of “Face the Nation” and chief foreign affairs correspondent.

With the nation closely watching, this VP debate promises to be a defining moment in both candidates’ vice-presidential runs.

Who Will Stand Where?

Governor Tim Walz, representing the Democratic party, will stand behind the podium on the stage left (from the audience’s view, the right).

Senator JD Vance, the Republican nominee, will be on the opposite side of the stage during the VP debate.

Both candidates are required to remain behind their podiums throughout the duration of the debate.

Walz, being from the incumbent party, will be introduced first by the moderators, followed by Vance.

The debate format does not include opening statements from either candidate, cutting straight into the questions after introductions.

VP Debate Rules and Structure

The entire debate is scheduled to last 90 minutes, with two breaks, each lasting four minutes.

This intense exchange will provide a robust platform for the candidates to present their visions for the country.

Each candidate will have two minutes to respond to questions, with two minutes of rebuttal allowed for the opposing candidate.

Additionally, moderators have the discretion to grant extra time if needed.

Moderators will be the only ones allowed to ask questions during the debate. Neither candidates nor campaign staffers will receive advance knowledge of the questions or topics.

Interaction between the candidates and their campaign teams is also prohibited during the breaks.

Moderation Rules and Time Management

To maintain order and ensure fairness, lights will indicate how much time each candidate has left to speak, and a countdown clock will help both the moderators and candidates keep track.

The candidates’ microphones will remain hot, although CBS News reserves the right to mute them if necessary.

No Audience Present

In an effort to maintain focus on the candidates’ responses, the VP debate will follow the model of past events such as the one between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Like that debate, no audience will be present in the studio.

This is expected to keep the atmosphere controlled and focused solely on the exchange between Walz and Vance.

Closing Statements

As the debate draws to a close, each candidate will have two minutes for a final statement.

According to CBS, a coin toss was held on September 26 to determine the order of closing statements.

Senator JD Vance won the toss and opted to go second, allowing him the final word of the night.

Strict Guidelines for Candidates

The candidates will not be permitted to bring props or pre-written notes on stage.

However, they will be given a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water.

This ensures the debate will focus on their ability to respond in real-time without relying on prepared materials.

What’s at Stake

This debate provides a crucial opportunity for both Vance and Walz to make their case to the American people.

With no further debates planned between the vice-presidential candidates, every moment of this one-night event carries significant weight for both parties.

The VP debate on Tuesday will likely be pivotal in shaping voters’ opinions as they head toward the final stretch of the election season, offering a stark contrast between the visions presented by Vance and Walz.

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