Ahead of the U.S. presidential election this November, Democratic candidate Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, and Republican candidate Senator J.D. Vance clashed during the vice presidential candidate TV debate held on the 1st (local time). As this year's election is shaping up to be a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump, the running mates also engaged in a heated exchange over the issue of contesting the 2020 election results by former President Trump.
During the debate held at the New York broadcast center and hosted by CBS News that night, Governor Walz stated, "He (Trump) clearly lost the election (2020 presidential election)," adding, "(The loser after the election) should shake hands and do everything possible to help the winner, but this part is now at risk." He argued that democracy is under threat, saying, "What worries me most is (Trump's) idea of putting his opponents in jail if he regains power."
In response, Senator Vance said, "Trump said there were problems with the 2020 election," and "We need to debate this in the public arena." However, when asked by Governor Walz whether he believes former President Trump lost the 2020 election, Vance avoided answering directly. He deflected by saying, "I am focused on the future," to which Walz responded, "That is a completely meaningless answer."
Senator Vance also did not give a direct answer when asked if Trump would again challenge the election results if he loses this time. Instead, he claimed there is a threat to democracy that Vice President Harris and Governor Walz do not want to talk about, calling it a "threat of censorship." He criticized policies adopted by platforms like Facebook to regulate problematic posts such as "misinformation," stating, "(Online censorship) is the greatest 'threat to democracy' our country has seen in the past four years."
The debate, held on the same day Iran launched missile attacks on Israel, brought up Middle East issues from the very first question. Governor Walz said, "Israel's right to self-defense is absolute," and added, "What we experienced today shows the importance of stable leadership. The whole world witnessed this a few weeks ago on the presidential candidate debate stage," immediately turning his criticism toward former President Trump. He emphasized, "Trump turned his back on Vladimir Putin (Russian President) and North Korea, showing a capricious attitude toward allies, but we (the Democrats) have remained committed to our alliances," and "We see consistent leadership in Harris." On the other hand, Senator Vance argued, "Iran, which initiated today's attack, secured over $100 billion in unfrozen assets thanks to the Harris administration, and used that money to buy weapons," adding, "Trump understood the need for peace through strength. He made the world safer."
The two also clashed over abortion, one of the major issues in this year's election. Governor Walz attacked former President Trump over the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed abortion rights, calling it a "basic human rights issue." He also criticized 'Project 2025,' known as a Trump campaign pledge, saying it would harm these fundamental human rights. Furthermore, he said, "We support women and their freedom to choose," and told those who try to interfere with women, "Just mind your own business." Local media reported that this phrase has become a catchphrase for Walz during this election campaign, alongside the word "strange."
Senator Vance countered by saying he is "a Republican who proudly protects innocent life in this country." He noted, "Partial abortion bans are being implemented at the federal level," and said, "I know the Democrats take a very radical pro-abortion stance, but I hope no one tries to eliminate it." He also described both former President Trump and himself as "literally family-oriented" people, arguing, "Trump has made it clear that America is a big country with diverse views on abortion policy. It is right for individual states to decide abortion policies."
Both candidates also faced attacks from each other over past statements during the debate. Governor Walz admitted to a mistake regarding his past statement during a congressional hearing that he was in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square incident in China, which had raised questions about his truthfulness. He said, "I misspoke," and added, "I try my best but I am not perfect, and sometimes I am stupid." Senator Vance responded to his past criticism of former President Donald Trump as potentially becoming "America's Hitler" by saying, "I was wrong." Once considered 'anti-Trump' during the 2016 election, he suddenly became a Trump supporter starting from the 2020 election. He said, "Just like Walz made a mistake about China, when you make mistakes, say the wrong things, or change your mind, you have to be honest with the American people."
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