Debates between United States (US) vice-presidential candidates usually focus on internal issues such as the national economy or the health care system, but the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East has posed the first question face-to-face between the candidates for the vice presidency of the United States (USA). J.D. Vance And Tim Walz was his support for a hypothetical pre-emptive attack by Israel against Iran. None of them responded. Vance took the opportunity to introduce himself and Walz took the opportunity to call Donald Trump unstable. So, almost by mutual agreement, they turned the page and focused on the issues that will define these elections.
According to a survey carried out by the New York Times and at the University of Siena (United States), only 3% of voters believe that foreign policy decisions will influence their vote. The economy worries 22%, abortion 15% and immigration 12%.
For this reason, and even as the rest of the world held its breath over the escalation of conflict following Iran’s response to Israeli attacks, both candidates fervently defended their positions on issues that have often been deeply divisive. Americans for several decades, like that of firearms. reproductive control or rights.
They also did it in a more calm and conciliatory manner than their bosses. Even sometimes They became ready to make deals. There was no trace of Trump’s mockery of Kamala Harris, nor of the latter’s grimaces towards the former. Even if, on the other hand, they kept naming them during each intervention.
“Kamala Harris has been vice president for three and a half years. She’s had the opportunity to implement all these big policies and what she’s actually done is raise the cost of food by 25%, increase housing costs by 60%, opening the southern border of the United States and making middle-class life unaffordable,” Vance said shortly after the debate began.
The Republican candidate He brought the lesson learned to the vice presidency and He soon pointed out that Harrisdespite the refreshing appearance of his electoral campaign, In fact, he has been on the job for almost four years.. During last month’s presidential face-off, it took Trump 90 minutes to make this effective argument: he didn’t bring it up until the last minute.
Vance, an ultra-conservative senator from the state of Ohio, educated at the prestigious Yale University and author of the novel Hillbilly Elegy, appeared calm, in control of the situation and endowed with a rhetorical capacity much greater than that of the leader republican. Also colder and more imperturbable.
Opposite him, Walz, Democratic governor of Minnesota, high school teacher and American football coach, started hesitantly, stammered when he spoke about Israel and Iran and seemed more uncertain than his opponent, whom he managed to stuck towards the end of the match.
“Did Trump lose the 2020 election?”» Walz asked, looking at Vance. “I am focused on the future,” replied the Republican, avoiding acknowledging his defeat in front of the incredulous look of Walz who was agitated at the bar.
“That’s a huge non-answer,” the Democrat interrupted, as Vance spoke about alleged problems in the 2020 election. Almost at the end of the game, Democrats finally received a video clip that they will repeat in the 35 days to follow. Polling stations remain open until they close on November 5.
Until then, Vance had maintained control, even while spreading exaggerations about immigration being the cause of America’s biggest problems, from the cost of housing to crime. Nor did Walz get angry when he heard them. It was a sample of what the American media calls “Midwest diplomacy.” (both candidates come from this decisive region for these elections) on the stage of CBS located in the center of New York.
