Vance Says ‘Of Course’ He Wants to Debate Walz

(Left) Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) speaks in Eau Claire, Wis., on Aug. 7, 2024. (Right) Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in Bloomington, Minn. on Aug. 1, 2024. (Adam Bettcher/Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said during an Aug. 11 interview that he’s open to a vice presidential debate with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

During an interview that aired on Aug. 11, Vance indicated that he was ready and willing to debate the presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee.

“Of course I want to debate Tim Walz,” Vance told CNN’s Dana Bash.

“I think it’s important and I think that it goes to a very fundamental difference between the Trump–Vance ticket and our opposition: We believe in talking to the media. We believe in answering questions. We believe in debating. I think it’s really important.

“I mean, look, I’m asking the American people to make me their vice president,” Vance said. “It’s really important to stand before the American people to make that case, and I’m going to keep on doing it and whatever forum I get the opportunity.”

Previously, Vance had said that he wouldn’t commit to a debate until Walz was officially named the vice presidential nominee.

“The Democrats have shown a willingness to pull a little ’switcheroo' on us,” he said at the time, referring to the recent selection of Vice President Kamala Harris to replace President Joe Biden as the Democrats’ presidential nominee.

“So I don’t even know if we’re actually going to get Tim Walz” as an opponent, Vance said.

He said then that he was waiting to see what happens at the Democratic National Convention, which is set for Aug. 19–22 in Chicago.

Vance has criticized Harris for not sitting down for a media interview since she became the presumptive, then official Democratic nominee.

“She should have to answer for why she presents a different set of policies,” Vance said.

Historically, both of the major party presidential and vice presidential nominees have participated in debates, usually taking place in September and October.

So far, Trump and Harris have agreed to at least one debate to be hosted by ABC on Sept. 10.

Two other debates, including a proposed Sept. 4 debate hosted by Fox, have yet to be agreed to by Harris.

Should Walz formally become the Democratic vice presidential nominee, as he’s widely expected to be during the Democratic National Convention later this month, Vance and Walz will likely debate around the same time as their running mates.

However, nothing has been set in stone yet.