Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican JD Vance have engaged in discussions regarding a potential debate following Vance's selection as the GOP vice presidential nominee. While Harris has agreed to participate in a debate on CBS News on either July 23 or Aug. 13, terms regarding the network partner and format are still being negotiated.
Former President Donald Trump had previously agreed to the same dates on behalf of his then-unnamed running mate for a debate on Fox News, a proposal that Biden's team has indicated they would reject.
Despite the current disagreements, both sides are expected to begin discussions now that Vance has been chosen as the GOP vice presidential nominee. Harris reached out to Vance to congratulate him on his selection and urged him to accept the CBS debate. The two exchanged pleasantries during their first conversation but did not delve into specifics regarding the debate.
The upcoming debate holds significance given recent events, including President Joe Biden's debate performance, the attempted assassination of Trump, and the ages of the presidential candidates. Both campaigns have expressed readiness for the debate, with the Biden team confirming their acceptance of the CBS proposal.
Senator Elizabeth Warren emphasized Harris's preparedness for the debate and highlighted the focus on economic issues. Vance's selection was influenced by his performance during the Senate campaign and his ability to stand out among other candidates.
Trump's endorsement played a crucial role in Vance's selection, following a heated primary debate where Vance demonstrated composure amidst escalating tensions between other candidates. The proposed debate dates and location are still under negotiation, with CBS as the preferred host for the Biden campaign.
Virginia State University was initially suggested as a potential debate venue, with calls from Virginia senators to uphold the tradition of hosting debates at historically Black colleges and universities. The final decision on the debate format and location is pending further discussions between the two campaigns.
