Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, arrived in New York City ahead of the much-anticipated debate against Republican nominee JD Vance.
This will be the only vice-presidential debate before the November election, marking a critical moment for both campaigns.
The event comes as one of the last major opportunities for the candidates to present their case to voters. The debate took place at 9 p.m. ET on CBS, live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York.
The moderators for the 90-minute showdown were Norah O’Donnell, anchor of “CBS Evening News,” and Margaret Brennan, the moderator of “Face the Nation.”
In the run-up to the debate, Walz’s campaign bus made its way through Midtown Manhattan, where a surprising display of support for former President Donald Trump met it.
Although New York City is considered a Democratic stronghold, Trump supporters gathered in significant numbers to voice their opposition to the Biden-Harris administration.
Paul Ingrassia, a reporter for The Gateway Pundit, shared a video on social media capturing the scene: “Tim Walz’s bus is greeted by a legion of Trump Supporters in Midtown! Even in the belly of the beast of NYC, there are tons of Trump supporters everywhere!”
The footage showed a crowd waving flags and holding up pro-Trump signs, reflecting the intensity of political passions even in traditionally Democratic areas.
JUST NOW: Tim Walz’s bus is greeted by a legion of Trump Supporters in Midtown!
Even in the belly of the beast of NYC, there are tons of Trump supporters everywhere! pic.twitter.com/mm7pQloY58
— Paul Ingrassia (@PaulIngrassia) October 1, 2024
Tonight’s debate holds particular significance, as it may be the final direct clash between the two campaigns.
Many see this as the last chance for the vice-presidential candidates to leave a lasting impression on undecided voters, especially given that Kamala Harris has largely avoided direct confrontations with Donald Trump, including at events such as the Al Smith dinner.
Both candidates have agreed to a set of debate rules aimed at ensuring fairness.
The debate will be divided by two four-minute commercial breaks, during which neither campaign staff nor anyone else will be allowed to communicate with the candidates.
Additionally, there will be no audience present at the event, following a similar format to the presidential debates earlier in the campaign season.
The debate format also prohibits candidates from bringing pre-written notes or props onto the stage. Each will have two minutes to answer a question and two minutes to respond to their opponent.
They’ll also have one minute for rebuttals, and, at the moderators’ discretion, may receive additional time if needed to continue a discussion.
While microphones will not be muted during their opponent’s responses, CBS News reserves the right to cut off audio if necessary.
In a coin toss held virtually, JD Vance won the right to choose the order of closing statements, opting to go second. Both candidates will have two minutes for their final remarks, providing them an opportunity to summarize their platforms and vision for the future.
Perhaps most notably, neither Walz nor Vance will have access to the debate questions in advance, ensuring that their responses will be unrehearsed and reflective of their true positions on the issues.
This has raised expectations for a lively and substantive exchange, especially as the election draws nearer.
Walz’s arrival in New York, coupled with the pro-Trump protests, adds an extra layer of intensity to tonight’s debate. While the focus will be on policy, the charged atmosphere on the streets of Manhattan suggests that emotions are running high on both sides.
As the final showdown before the election, tonight’s debate could prove pivotal in shaping the political landscape leading up to November.
