Factbox: When and Where Is the Vance-Walz US Vice Presidential Debate?

By Doina Chiacu

Next week, Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance will participate in the only scheduled U.S. vice presidential debate, a crucial opportunity for both candidates to amplify their running mates’ messages to the electorate just weeks before the November 5 election.

Debate Details

The 90-minute debate will be hosted by CBS News on October 1 at 9 p.m. ET in New York City, a Democratic bastion and former home to Donald Trump, the Republican presidential hopeful opposing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Moderators

The event will take place at the CBS Broadcast Center, moderated by Norah O’Donnell, anchor of CBS "Evening News," alongside Margaret Brennan, moderator of "Face the Nation."

Viewing Options

The debate will be broadcasted on the CBS network and live-streamed across various platforms where CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+ are available, with options for simulcasting as well.

In comparison, the presidential debate on September 10 between Harris and Trump attracted 67 million viewers.

Ground Rules

Notably, there will be no audience present during the debate. Candidates will use lecterns throughout the event, and no props or pre-prepared notes are allowed. CBS News retains the authority to mute candidate microphones when necessary.

Expectations for Walz

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to leverage his "regular guy" image to connect with voters, particularly independents who may find Harris too liberal. The 60-year-old former congressman has a history of winning elections in Republican-leaning districts and has pursued a progressive agenda as governor, including initiatives like free school meals and tax cuts for the middle class.

Walz is likely to challenge Vance assertively, much like Harris did against Trump, questioning his authenticity and criticizing his book "Hillbilly Elegy" for its portrayal of rural America. Walz has previously remarked, "Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland, JD studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community."

Furthermore, Walz has labeled Trump and Vance as "creepy and, yes, weird," a remark that resonated widely with Democrats. He has also linked Vance to a series of conservative proposals known as Project 2025, from which Trump has sought to distance himself.

Expectations for Vance

Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance will need to maintain an offensive stance throughout the debate, especially if Walz employs aggressive tactics similar to those used by Harris. At 40 years old, Vance may face scrutiny over his controversial remarks and his tendency for combative responses.

Vance has received backlash for past comments referring to Harris and other Democrats as "childless cat ladies" and for spreading unfounded claims regarding Haitian migrants. He made a controversial comparison regarding threats to Democrats and Republicans, stating, "The big difference between conservatives and liberals is that … no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months and two people now have tried to kill Donald Trump."

On the campaign trail, Vance has framed Walz and Harris as extreme liberals and has questioned Walz’s military service and personal history.

A veteran who served in the Marine Corps as a public affairs officer in Iraq, Vance has accused Walz of avoiding deployment and of misrepresenting his military record. While Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years and retired to pursue a congressional career, he has faced criticism for inaccurately suggesting his service included combat. The Harris campaign has acknowledged that he misspoke in past comments about his military experience.

As both candidates prepare for this pivotal debate, all eyes will be on how they convey their messages to the American public in the lead-up to the election.