Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz began his debate against Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance on shaky ground when he was first asked about his foreign policy platform in the Middle East.
“Governor Walz, if you were the last speaker in the Situation Room, would you support or oppose an Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iran?” CBS' Margaret Brennan asked Tuesday night in New York City. asked Walz during the vice presidential debate on CBS News.
Walz called for “stable leadership” and thanked the hosts for their hospitality before giving a stammering, stammering answer.
“Iran, it is absolutely fundamental that we, Israel, be able to defend ourselves. It is also fundamental that we recover the hostages. And it is essential that we end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But the expansion of Israel and its proxies is absolutely fundamental. “That's where stable leadership is needed, and what we experienced today is that Israel's partners and coalition forces were able to thwart an oncoming attack,” Walz said between his words. I answered after a short pause.
Israel under attack: Iran fires missile, militants kill at least 8 people near Tel Aviv
Minnesota Governor and Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Walz and Senator J.D. Vance, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate, speak during the Vice Presidential Debate hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier Tuesday, Iran fired more than 100 ballistic missiles toward Israel. War broke out in Israel when Hamas launched an attack on October 7, about a year ago.
“The fundamental thing here is that stable leadership is going to be important. That's clear. And the world realized that on the debate stage a few weeks ago, when Donald Trump, who is nearly 80 years old, led the crowd. Talking about scale is not what we need in this moment.'' Walz continued.
Republican leader says he's “absolutely ready'' to face off against Vance and Walz in vice presidential debate
Walz went on to respond by shooting former President Donald Trump and former administration officials.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz participate in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“The President's Chief of Staff John Kelly said he was the most flawed human being he had ever met, and both the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Adviser said they would keep him close to the White House. The person closest to them…said he was unfit for the top job, and that was Sen. Vance,” Walz said of Trump before he was elected to the White House in 2016. He mentioned Vance, who had criticized him.
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Walz summed up the initial reaction by claiming that Vice President Kamala Harris is providing “steady leadership” on the world stage.
Tim Walz expressed support for single-payer health care during a 2018 debate. (C span)
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“What we've seen from Vice President Harris is stable leadership. We've seen a calmness that can draw coalitions and unite an understanding that allies matter. As our allies watch Donald Trump turn toward Vladimir Putin and North Korea, we remain committed even as we begin to see such vagaries over coalition cohesion. “We will continue to work hard and, as the Vice President said today, we will protect our military and our allies. There will be force and there will be consequences.”
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