WASHINGTON — Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz will meet Tuesday in the lone vice presidential debate of the 2024 election, bringing together undercards who have spent two months going after each other and the opposing nominees who top the major-party tickets.
The matchup, hosted by CBS News in New York, might not carry the same stakes as the Sept. 10 debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. But it offers their top lieutenants a fresh opportunity to introduce themselves, vouch for their bosses and fulfill a time-honored role of a running mate: attack dog. It will involve the biggest television and online audience either No. 2 will see before Election Day.
Going into the debate, a new AP-NORC poll suggests Walz is better liked than Vance, giving the Republican perhaps a steeper challenge.
It sets up a potentially fierce night in Manhattan. Here are the dynamics to consider as the rivals meet face-to-face for the first time:
What time is the VP debate?
The debate will start at 9 p.m. EDT on Tuesday and is expected to last 90 minutes, with two four-minute breaks scheduled.
How to watch the VP debate?
CBS News is hosting the debate live on its broadcast network.
Like with the presidential debates, CBS is making its feed available for other networks to simulcast. CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, Telemundo, CNN, FOX NEWS and MSNBC have plans for coverage and have agreed to carry the event live as well.
Who is moderating the VP debate?
The debate will be moderated by the outgoing “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan.
Where is the VP debate?
The debate between Vance and Walz will take place at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. As was the case for the presidential debate in September, there will be no live audience.
VP debate rules
The candidates will stand behind lecterns, will not make opening statements and will not be allowed to bring notes during the 90-minute debate. Microphones will not be muted while the other candidate talks, though CBS said it does reserve the right to mute the candidates' microphone.
Candidates are only allowed to have a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.
In terms of fact-checking, the network said that it will be up to the candidates to keep each other honest at Tuesday's debate — a sticking point from earlier debates this year.
In the June debate between Trump and Biden, CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash limited follow-up questions and did not fact check either participant. In the September debate between Trump and Harris, ABC's David Muir and Linsey Davis interjected with matter-of-fact corrections to some of Trump's most glaring misstatements.
___
The Associated Press contributed to this report.