Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, the Republican vice presidential candidate, answered a question about climate change on stage during the CBS News vice presidential debate and said he and former President Trump support “clean air, clean water.” Republican, Democratic, and independent voters reacted differently when asked. The Fox News Debate Dial showed the change.
“Look, it's understandable that a lot of people are worried about these extreme weather patterns. First of all, I think it's important to say that Donald Trump and I support clean air and clean water. I think we want the environment to be cleaner and cleaner and safer,'' Vance said.
Fox News' Debate Dial showed that Vance's approval ratings among independents and Democrats declined after he made this comment. Support among Republicans remained fairly stable.
But support began to grow again among independent viewers when Vance mentioned how Democrats bring up carbon emissions when discussing climate change.
“This idea that carbon emissions are causing all of climate change. Well, let's just say for the sake of argument that it's true. So we're not discussing weird science. . Let's just say it's true,” Vance said. “So, if you believe that, what would you do? We are the cleanest economy in the entire world.”
Tim Walz: The solution is to move forward with the idea that climate change is real.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) speaks during the vice presidential debate at CBS Studios in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Support among independents remained flat as Vance began criticizing Kamala Harris on energy policy. In contrast, support for the Democratic Party has plummeted.
“Kamala Harris' policies are actually leading to more energy production in China, more manufacturing overseas, and more business in the dirtiest parts of the world,” Vance said. “When I say this, I'm talking about carbon emissions per unit of economic output. So whether we actually want to have clean air and clean water. “The best thing to do is double down and invest in American companies.'' And unfortunately, Kamala Harris did the opposite. ”
CBS News host Norah O'Donnell began her question by noting that more than 160 people were killed and hundreds more were missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen.
Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appear on a spin room screen during the first vice presidential debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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“Scientists say climate change is making these hurricanes bigger, stronger and more deadly due to historic rainfall levels.” “Senator Vance, CBS News poll finds 7 in 10 Americans and more than 60% of Republicans under the age of 45 support America taking steps to mitigate climate change. Senator, what responsibility does the Trump administration have to reduce the effects of climate change? ”
Recognizing the hurricane as an “incredible, indescribable human tragedy,” Vance began his response by remembering a photo of his grandparents and a 6-year-old child on a roof, but then the roof It collapsed and its people lost their lives. “I'm sure Governor Walz will join me in saying that our hearts go out to these innocent people and our prayers go out to them,” Vance said. “And we want the strongest and most aggressive response possible as a federal government to save as many lives as possible, and then of course to help people in those communities rebuild. ”
Sen. J.D. Vance and Gov. Tim Walz shake hands after the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in New York City. (Michelle Crowe/CBS via Getty Images)
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When the Republican vice presidential candidate mentioned Appalachia and said he knows it personally impacts people across the Southeast who “need government jobs,” Fox News Debate Dial reported, It showed a significant increase in support among Republican viewers, as well as an increase in support among independents. For Democrats, the dial seemed to turn down, especially when Vance added, “If Donald Trump becomes president again, I promise that our government will put disaster-hit Americans first.”
Fox News' Sophia Compton and Brooke Curto contributed to this report.
