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Despite how tight the polls are, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris may not debate again before Election Day, but their running mates still get to face off. On Tuesday night, CBS News will host the one and only vice presidential debate between Senator J.D. Vance and Governor Tim Walz, and things are bound to get heated — if not weird — between the two midwesterners. It might even be the first time in U.S. history that two vice presidential candidates debate the pros and cons of pet cats. Here’s what to know.
When and what time is the debate?
The vice presidential debate will begin at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 1. It’s expected to last 90 minutes, with two four-minute commercial breaks, and will be being held at the CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan.
Where can I watch the debate on TV?
It will be broadcast on CBS, as well as simulcast on numerous other networks, including PBS, NBC, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox News, MSNBC, and more.
How can I stream the debate online?
The debate will be livestreamed on CBS News’s YouTube channel, CBS News 24/7, Paramount+, C-SPAN, and multiple other sites.
Who is moderating?
CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan will moderate.
Will the candidates’ mics be muted?
The candidates’ microphones will remain on by default — but CBS says it reserves the right to turn them off if needed.
Will there be a studio audience?
No, like at this year’s two presidential debates, there will be no live studio audience.
What are the other debate rules?
Per CBS News:
• The topics and questions will not be provided to the candidates in advance, and only the moderators are allowed to ask questions.
• There will be no opening statements, but each candidate will be able to give a two-minute closing statement at the end of the debate. After winning a coin toss, Vance chose to go last.
• The candidates will be given two minutes to answer each question, one minute for rebuttals, and potentially, one minute each for follow-ups at the moderators’ discretion.
• The candidates will not be allowed to interact with their campaign staff during the two commercial breaks.
• Vance and Walz will be standing at identical lecterns, with Walz on the left side of the stage and Vance on the right.
• Props and pre-written notes are forbidden. Each candidate will be given a blank notepad, pen, and a bottle of water.
Do vice presidential debates matter?
Not very much, typically, but it’s at least possible this VP debate could matter. Unless Harris and Trump both agree to another debate, this will be the last time the campaigns face off on prime time television in this format. It’s a very close race, so swaying even a small number of voters in a key battleground state could make a real difference. And these two particular vice presidential candidates have each made a surprising amount of national news in recent months. If the past year in politics has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.
Will Walz or Vance wear a secret ear piece, use AI contact lenses, or get their own special stage lighting?
Since it’s the year 2024, there will undoubtedly be some wild conspiracy theories circulating online soon after the debate suggesting one of the candidates was given some unfair advantage via technical wizardry and/or partisan spy craft. Exercise healthy skepticism when encountering any such theory.
