The CBS debate between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance marked a significant point in the 2024 election cycle. The debate remained civilized, with candidates debating on policy rather than attacking each other personally. It gave insight into the candidates and their parties for those with access to the ballot. Initial polls will report who took the lead in the debate.
A civil exchange
In many ways, the Walz and Vance debate was different from previous high-stakes political debates, mainly because of the respect that it showed. The candidates did not throw personal attacks at each other; instead, they worked their way through the topics of immigration, healthcare, and democracy. The candidates began their evening by shaking hands and finished with mutual respect for one another, highly differing from the overall tone found in most of the recent political debates that have been happening in the U.S.
Throughout, Vance constantly pilloried Vice President Kamala Harris on how she was handling border security, while Walz repeatedly attacked former President Donald Trump for the job he did, particularly on abortion rights and everything that went on in January. Walz pressed Vance to say whether he thought Trump lost the 2020 election? A question Vance dodged by saying he was looking toward the future. That was a focal point in this debate, where accountability met with truth.
Polling results: An audience divided
In the aftermath of the debate, an instant poll done by CNN showed just how close opinions were among those who watched. About 51 percent of those who watched said Vance did better while about 49% said Walz was better. Such a result shows that though the candidates each took turns impressing the audience, neither one took the high road over the other in that audience’s eyes.
At the start of the debate, Walz was at a slight lead in terms of favorability ratings at 55% of respondents. Afterwards, the numbers had dramatically flipped-59% now rated Walz favorable, versus 22% unfavorable. Vance improved but was more midline, settling with a 41% favorable rating pitted against 44% unfavorable.
There were demographic splits among viewers. Women voters favored Walz’s vision for America 50% to 36% for Vance, while male voters were more split.
Debate takeaways
Emerging from the debate are a number of key themes that may have consequences for both candidates going forward:
- Civility over conflict: The tone of the debate was a marked contrast from previous matches this election cycle. Both candidates came across as humble and discussed serious topics without attacking the character of their opponents.
- Policy focus: From reforming immigration to healthcare policies, the candidates debated it all. Vance attempted to spin comments previously made by Trump about healthcare; Walz brought up Trump’s failures on immigration legislation.
- Perception of qualification: An independent post-debate poll said viewers thought that both candidates were qualified for the job if called upon-65% for Walz and 58% for Vance. This may be informative about how to build voter confidence in advance of the election.
- Impact on future campaigns: Even though vice-presidential debates rarely decide the fate of presidential contests, both candidates managed to emerge as viable alternatives to their principals. Their performances could determine how voters will perceive their respective parties beyond the November election.
No clear winner
Aggregated, initial polling gives a slight edge to JD Vance among viewers; overall, sentiment shows a split audience and yields no clear winner from this encounter. Both candidates entered strongly with Tim Walz and JD Vance taking on critical issues facing American voters today. But as those voters take that into consideration with a view towards what it means for their November decisions, what stands clear is the fact that both candidates have found their credentials as strong contenders from their parties, each calling forth distinct visions of America’s future.
