The lone vice presidential debate of the 2024 election attracted over 43 million viewers across more than 15 networks, according to early Nielsen ratings released Wednesday. This figure reflects a sharp decline of 25% compared to the 57.9 million who tuned in for the standout debate between then-Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) back in October 2020, as part of the pandemic-fueled political climate.
This year's debate, held on October 1, featured Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, drawing widespread attention as they tackled various pressing issues. Despite the lower audience numbers, pundits described the event as a cordial exchange focused on the economy, immigration, global conflicts, energy, and abortion — topics pivotal to voter sentiment as November 5 approaches.
Vance maintained a calm and commanding presence throughout the debate, with several observers noting his effective communication style. Conversely, Walz appeared somewhat anxious and nervous, frequently taking notes and displaying fidgety behavior. Vance commented on one particularly poignant moment during the debate when Walz revealed his 17-year-old son, Gus, had witnessed a shooting at their local community center. Vance expressed sympathy, saying, "I didn’t know your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting. I’m sorry about […] I appreciate what Tim said.”
This pivotal debate was described as one of the most civil encounters seen at the national level, with no personal attacks or name-calling disrupting the discussion. While viewers appeared appreciative of the respectful tone, they noted Vance's ability to articulate his positions more effectively than Walz, with CBS News polling showing 42% favoring Vance and 41% supporting Walz following the debate.
Among those watching, 88% characterized the Vance-Walz confrontation as positive. This positive reception was also underscored by concurrent polling conducted by CNN, which suggested Vance’s performance had surprised many viewers who perhaps had not anticipated him effectively competing against Walz prior to the event. Despite the slight edge for Vance, his favorability ratings remained largely neutral compared to Walz’s, who saw his approval rise to 59% after the debate.
Notably, Walz took fire for missteps during the event, including mistakenly equipping Israel with characteristics of Iran and inadvertently referencing school shooters, admitting humorously, “I’m just being honest — I’m kind of a knucklehead.” This sort of gaffe may have cost him some credibility with undecided voters but demonstrated his willingness to own up to his mistakes and provide some lightness during the tense exchanges.
Regarding responses from political leaders, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) weighed in, praising Walz’s debate performance on Wednesday. He emphasized the importance of this visibility, stating, "This was classic President Trump…she actually demonstrated time and again.” Romney, known for his criticism of the former president, acknowledged the potential opportunity Harris had to establish herself with voters and show her capabilities.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) echoed similar sentiments, asserting, "Harris ‘definitely’ won the first debate," reinforcing the idea of Harris gaining ground with the audience. Polls reported afterward suggested 63% of the viewers believed Harris had triumphed against Vance, who had sidestepped some pressing questions and faced criticism for failing to uphold certain commitments related to past abortion positions.
Nevertheless, the debate's ultimate outcome illustrated the increasingly important role of vice presidential candidates, as it serves as their first major opportunity to engage directly with voters via television. While Vance remained within the scope of the Trump campaign and its messaging, polls suggested some uncertainty about his support, particularly among the middle ground where undecided voters reside.
Post-debate public opinion matters, as political newcomers often struggle to build favorable impressions, and both candidates showed significant potential to influence undecided voters. The poll results indicated parties are divided on their respective preference, with 72% of Democrats favoring Walz, and 71% of Republicans endorsing Vance. Among independents, responses varied, with Walz edging slightly ahead of Vance.
This vice presidential debate has set the stage for both candidates as they navigate their political landscapes, engaging with the public on compelling issues like reproductive rights, economic challenges, and public safety. The contrasting performances between Vance and Walz exemplified how individual debate styles could sway voters’ opinions leading up to the election.
With high stakes on the national stage, the aftermath of the debate echoes what lies ahead. Voters are already expressing their preferences, with some choosing not to wait until election day to voice their opinions, as noted by Trump, who highlighted with certainty, "Votes are already cast," reflecting the palpable urgency felt throughout the political arena.
