Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) squared off in the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.
As the debate began, the two opponents shook hands and fielded their first question about the recent bombing of Israel by Iran.
The follow-up question was about the development of Hurricane Helene and the effect climate change has had on strengthening weather events in the United States.
That line of questioning from O’Donnell was roundly criticized by many in the news media sphere, especially from the conservative side of the political aisle.
After the question, CBS News moderator Norah O’Donnell appeared to fact-check statements made by Vance, stating “The overwhelming consensus among scientists is that the Earth’s climate is warming at an unprecedented rate.” That flew in the face of insistence from the network that its moderators wouldn’t engage in such behavior.
However, the next fact-check of the debate, and maybe the biggest moment of the night, was when Margaret Brennan attempted to rebut claims made by Vance that American cities have been “overrun” by illegal immigrants from Mexico, mentioning the city of Springfield, Ohio. Brennan stated that immigrants in that community are mostly of Haitian descent and are in the country legally. That led her and Vance to talk over one another, leading the microphones of both candidates to be muted.
That moment featured harsh criticism from conservative observers.
Reaction to the debate after that moment largely centered on political opinions rather than the performance of moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.
