Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and his Democratic counterpart, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have both agreed to participate in a vice presidential debate on October 1.
The debate will be hosted by CBS News in New York City.
The agreement was confirmed after CBS extended an invitation to both candidates, offering four potential dates for the debate: September 17, September 24, October 1, and October 8.
Walz quickly accepted the invitation, announcing his participation on the social media platform X with a message directed at Vance: “See you on October 1, JD.”
Vance, initially cautious, confirmed his participation the following day, taking to social media to not only accept the October 1 debate but also to propose an additional debate on September 18, hosted by CNN.
“The American people deserve as many debates as possible,” Vance wrote. “Not only do I accept the CBS debate on October 1st, I accept the CNN debate on September 18th as well. I look forward to seeing you at both!”
However, it remains unclear whether Walz will participate in the CNN debate, as his campaign has yet to respond to the proposal.
Vance’s willingness to engage in multiple debates contrasts sharply with the approach taken by Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, who has faced criticism for her limited media appearances.
Vance has been vocal about the need for transparency and open debate, stating, “It’s important for the American people to actually see us discuss our views.”
He further criticized the Harris-Walz campaign for what he perceives as their reluctance to engage with the media and the public.
“I enjoyed sitting down with three of the major networks today to answer the tough questions any leader should answer. Kamala Harris has done as many tough interviews as Tim Walz has battlefield deployments,” posted Vance on X after appearing on three interviews Sunday.
The political tension between the Vance and Walz campaigns continues to build. Both candidates have exchanged sharp words, particularly over Walz’s 24 years of service in the National Guard. Walz has defended his record, stating, “Let me be clear, I am damn proud of my service to our country.”
The CBS debate on October 1 will be a critical opportunity for voters to see the two vice presidential candidates present their visions for the future.
Historically, vice presidential debates have played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and can significantly influence the outcome of the election.