Vance, Walz prepare for first VP debate

CBS News will host the Tuesday debate between Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, in New York City. The showdown will kick off at 9 p.m. ET with CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell and Face the Nation’s Margaret Brennan as moderators. Audiences may watch the debate broadcasted and live-streamed on the CBS Television Network, CBS News 24/7, and Paramount +.

What are the ground rules? Most rules from the previous presidential candidate debate will carry over to the VP showdown: no pre-written notes or props and no contact with staffers during breaks, with only a pen, paper, and water at their podiums. Microphones will remain on the entire time for Tuesday’s debate, but CBS reserved the right to turn them off at their discretion and added that moderators will aim to enforce agreements on time restraints. Vance will end the night after winning the second address in a virtual coin toss. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is reportedly coaching Walz, a self-admitted poor debater, as he did for Kamala Harris before her 2020 VP debate with Mike Pence, according to CNN.

The pair will likely spar over hot-button issues like immigration, inflation, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The two veterans may also discuss foreign policy and the military. Vance has previously slammed Walz for choosing to end his decades-long career in the National Guard just weeks before deployment.

Will there be another presidential debate? There is no other presidential or vice presidential debate scheduled for voters before the November 5 election, both campaigns have said. Trump rejected Harris’ call for another showdown after their first and only debate together.

Dig deeper: Read my report discussing why Trump rejected another chance to debate Harris before the election.