Members of the Young Republicans Club of New York watched the vice presidential debate in New York on Tuesday.
Adam Gray/Reuters
The vice presidential debate between Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was something that is becoming increasingly rare in modern American politics.
In an event that is unlikely to change the trajectory of the presidential race, the two vice presidential candidates have been friendly to each other and instead of attacking the top of their opposing tickets, they have focused their attacks primarily on their policy differences. trained. Mr. Vance repeatedly attacked Vice President Kamala Harris on border security, and Mr. Walz slammed former President Donald Trump on abortion rights.
Key takeaways from the discussion include:
Immigration clash features claim of eating Springfield pets: Amid debate over immigration and border security, Walz cites Vance’s false claim that Haitian immigrants are eating the pets of residents of Springfield, Ohio did.
“There are no consequences for this,” Walz said, noting that Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine sent state troopers to Springfield to ensure the safety of children after receiving a series of bomb threats. is appearing,” he said. Vance retorted, “My biggest concern in Springfield is the American people.”
What Vance didn’t say: The 12,000 to 15,000 Haitian immigrants in Springfield are legally in the United States. But Mr. Walz did not fact-check Mr. Vance on the matter. And when they didn’t, CBS host Margaret Brennan explained the legal status of those immigrants.
Vance sidesteps January 6th remarks: The most obvious divide of the night was about the January 6, 2021, riot and Trump’s false claim that he won the 2020 election. That’s when Walz put Vance on the spot during a debate.
“Did he lose the 2020 election?” Walz asked Vance, trying to get the Ohio senator to acknowledge a reality that Trump himself refuses to acknowledge.
“Tim, I’m focused on the future,” Vance began.
“That’s a complete non-answer,” Waltz retorted.
Great Midwest…up to a point: In many ways, this vice presidential debate reflected the way typical Americans debate controversial issues. There was no name-calling, very little canned ginger, and both Vance and Waltz had clear instructions not to say anything personal unless they actively agreed that the issue was, in fact, an issue. The housing crisis is a crisis, they agreed. Both men said gun violence needs to be reduced.
Vance and Walz acted friendly, not against each other but in an attempt to uniquely divisive or mislead their respective presidential candidates.
Read more talking points and watch the moment below.