Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) are set to go head-to-head in their first, and likely only, vice presidential debate Tuesday hosted by CBS News.
The two running mates have never locked horns before in a debate format, but they have continuously traded jabs on the campaign trail. Vance has specifically scrutinized Walz’s military record while the Minnesota governor has consistently painted the senator and former President Trump as “weird.”
The debate, which will kick off at 9 p.m. EDT on Tuesday from the network’s New York office, will be moderated by CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan.
Both campaigns have agreed to CBS’s rules for the debate, which were announced Friday.
Walz will be on the right side of the stage from a viewer’s standpoint, with Vance on the left. The Democratic vice presidential nominee, being the incumbent party’s candidate, will be introduced first by the moderators, according to the outlet. Both candidates will remain at the podium for the entire length of the 90-minute showdown.
There will be no opening statements or live studio audience, similar to the debate earlier this month between former Trump and Vice President Harris. The candidates will get two breaks, each lasting four minutes, according to CBS.
The candidates will have two minutes to answer each question. Then, two minutes will be given to their counterpart to push back. After that, the VP hopefuls will each get one minute for- rebuttals, the outlet said in its release. Both Vance and Walz will have a countdown clock to know how much time they have left.
The moderators will be seated during the debate. Microphones can be muted if the network decides, but they will be hot, CBS noted.
The candidates cannot use pre-written notes or have props, but they will be given a pen, paper and water. Staffers are also not allowed to engage with the vice presidential candidates during breaks.
The contenders will have two minutes for closing statements. Vance won a coin toss Thursday and opted to go second, thus being given the last word, CBS said.
