The political spotlight is intensifying as the 2024 election approaches, and a crucial event for voters is the vice presidential debate featuring Senator JD Vance of Ohio and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. These figures, while relatively new on the national stage, are set to engage in the only scheduled vice presidential debate before voters head to the polls in November. Following closely on the heels of the first presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, this debate offers another critical opportunity to understand the candidates and their platforms.
What Time Does the VP Debate Start and End?
For those tuning in, the vice presidential debate started at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday. It was designed to be a robust 90-minute discussion, mirroring the length of the presidential debates. Therefore, the debate concluded at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET. This primetime slot ensured maximum viewership, allowing voters across different time zones to engage with the candidates’ perspectives. For viewers in other time zones, the debate started at 8:00 p.m. Central Time (CT), 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time (MT), and 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT).
Who are the Candidates on Stage?
The debate featured two candidates with distinct backgrounds and political journeys.
JD Vance is currently a Senator representing Ohio. He gained broader public recognition as the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” a memoir providing insights into the socio-economic challenges of Appalachia. Relatively new to elected office, having been first elected to the Senate in 2022, Vance was chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate, bringing a blend of fresh perspective and conservative ideology to the Republican ticket.
Tim Walz, the current Governor of Minnesota, represents the Democratic party in this vice presidential debate. Prior to his governorship, Walz had a significant career in public service, including serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota’s 1st congressional district. As Kamala Harris’s running mate, Walz brings a wealth of political experience and a more moderate Democratic stance to the ticket.
Who is Moderating the VP Debate?
Guiding the conversation and ensuring a balanced discussion were two prominent figures from CBS News: Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.
Norah O’Donnell is the anchor and managing editor of “CBS Evening News,” bringing her extensive experience in covering major national and international events to the moderator role.
Margaret Brennan serves as the moderator of “Face the Nation” and CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent. Her expertise in foreign policy and in-depth interviewing skills were crucial in navigating the debate’s topics. Together, their combined journalistic backgrounds and familiarity with political discourse positioned them to effectively moderate this important debate.
Where is the VP Debate Location?
The setting for this pivotal political event was the CBS Broadcast Center located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, specifically in Midtown Manhattan. This iconic media hub, a sprawling 800,000-square-foot facility, has a rich history in broadcasting.
The debate itself took place in Studio 45 of the Broadcast Center. Interestingly, this studio has hosted a variety of notable programs over the years, including “Captain Kangaroo” and, more recently, “Inside Edition” before this summer. The Broadcast Center’s history dates back to 1964, and it has been a central location for CBS News and various television productions. Following the debate, campaign representatives and media personnel moved to the “spin room” in Studio 42, while a press area was set up in the cafeteria for journalists to report on the event.
What are the VP Debate Rules?
The rules for the vice presidential debate were agreed upon by both campaigns to ensure a structured and fair discussion. Key rules included:
- Duration: The debate was scheduled for 90 minutes, divided by two four-minute commercial breaks.
- No Campaign Interaction During Breaks: To maintain fairness and minimize external influence, campaign staff were prohibited from interacting with the candidates during the commercial breaks.
- No Audience: Continuing the practice from the presidential debates, there was no live audience present in the studio.
- Moderator Introductions: Moderators introduced the candidates in order of the incumbent party, with Tim Walz presented first. Notably, there were no opening statements from either candidate.
- Stage Positioning: Walz was positioned at the lectern on the left side of the stage (right side of viewers’ screens), and Vance was on the right side of the stage (left side of screens).
- No Pre-written Notes or Props: Candidates were not allowed to bring pre-prepared notes or props onto the stage, emphasizing spontaneous and direct responses.
- Response and Rebuttal Times: Candidates had two minutes to answer a question, two minutes for a response, and one minute for rebuttals. Moderators had the discretion to grant additional time for further discussion.
- Microphone Control: Unlike the presidential debates, candidates’ microphones were not automatically muted when their opponent was speaking, though CBS News reserved the right to mute microphones if necessary.
- Closing Statements: JD Vance won a coin toss and chose to deliver his closing statement second. Each candidate was allotted two minutes for their closing remarks.
- No Advance Topics: To ensure authenticity and preparedness across a range of issues, no topics or questions were shared with the campaigns beforehand.
How to Watch the VP Debate?
For those looking to watch the debate, multiple viewing options were available, catering to both traditional cable viewers and cord-cutters:
- Cable TV: CBS broadcast stations and affiliates provided coverage starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. Viewers could check their local listings to find their CBS affiliate.
- Streaming Options: For viewers without cable, the debate was readily accessible through digital platforms:
- CBS News App: The free CBS News app, available on connected TVs and smartphones.
- Paramount+: The streaming service Paramount+ also carried the debate.
- CBS News 24/7 Platforms: The debate was streamed on all platforms where CBS News 24/7 is available, including CBSNews.com and YouTube. CBS News 24/7 began their debate coverage earlier in the day, starting at 4:00 p.m. ET.
By providing these multiple avenues for viewing, CBS News aimed to ensure broad accessibility for anyone interested in watching the vice presidential debate.
