Last week, the vice presidential candidates met in New York City to engage in a political debate about their visions for the future of America. Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz engaged in their first and final debate. It’s unclear as to whether political debates sway public opinion, but they can be helpful to hear more about a candidate’s policy proposals and beliefs.
The debate was moderated by CBS Evening News anchor and Managing Editor, Norah O’Donnell, and Face the Nation moderator and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Margaret Brennan. O’Donnell and Brennan stated their goal of ensuring a civil conservation that helps voters better understand complex policy positions. They asked the candidates about issues like the economy, democracy, abortion, gun control and more.
Many Villanovans watched the debate last week.
“It was appropriately dry,” a senior political science student who requested anonymity said. “Harkening back to a debate forum yesteryear formed around policy rather than insulting each other. There was a touching moment when Walz talked about his son’s experience with school shootings, and you could see that Vance consoled him authentically. It shined a glimmer of hope for a return to a more compassionate political landscape.”
Some Villanovans took more passionate approaches.
“After watching the vice presidential debate, I am still shocked how someone believes that Trump and Vance are fit to represent the United States and fight for democracy, especially when both cannot admit that Trump lost the 2020 election,” sophomore student Caroline Keegan said “I was appalled when Vance referred to immigrants as illegal aliens and his plan to decrease school shootings was to [make the doors lock better].”
She also commented on Walz’s performance.
“I was impressed by Walz’s passion for women’s reproductive freedom and stance on gun control after admitting his position changed after meeting parents of Sandy Hook victims,” Keegan said.
Students commented on both candidates’ performances.
“I thought both Vance and Walz did pretty well, all things considered,” junior student Daniel Sobol said. “Vance was very composed, and I think he did a good job defending some of his more controversial views on the border and abortion. I also greatly support his proposals on expanding access to housing development. Walz had a couple of nasty gaffes like saying he was ‘friends with school shooters.’ Overall, Vance was the winner of this debate.”
Students also commented on the respectful demeanor held by the candidates, despite the divisiveness surrounding the race.
“I was glad that the two were civil and respectful with one another,” an anonymous freshman student said. “I was happy with Tim Walz’s performance. While he was obviously very nervous in the beginning, later in the debate he was back to the same old Coach Walz. Personally, I believe he won the debate for the sole reason that he answered each question by defending and explaining policy. I just can’t say the same for Vance, who told many ‘half-truths,’ to put it lightly.”
