Views of the Walz-Vance debate indicate how popular it was.

Welcome to the recap of the highly anticipated vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The debate, which took place this week, was characterized as positive in tone, with both candidates engaging in a respectful and policy-focused discussion.

According to a CBS News poll conducted after the debate, voters overwhelmingly viewed the matchup in a favorable light. This debate, following last-minute changes to the Democratic ticket, is expected to be the final one of the cycle, as President Trump opted out of a second matchup against Vice President Kamala Harris before Election Day.

In terms of viewership, an estimated 43.15 million viewers tuned in to watch the CBS News vice presidential debate this year, according to Nielsen. The event, held at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City, was broadcasted across various stations, capturing the attention of a wide audience.

Comparing the viewership of this year’s debate to previous years, the numbers show an interesting trend. While the 2024 debate fell short of the viewership seen in 2020, which garnered around 57.9 million viewers, it still surpassed the numbers from the 2016 debate between Pence and Kaine. The 2012 debate between Biden and Ryan saw 51.4 million viewers, with the highest viewership recorded in recent years at the 2008 debate between Biden and Palin, attracting nearly 70 million viewers.

It’s clear that the vice presidential debates have consistently drawn significant interest from the American public, serving as a crucial platform for candidates to showcase their policies and engage in critical discussions.

As we reflect on this year’s vice presidential debate, it’s evident that the respectful exchange of ideas and focus on policy issues resonated positively with viewers. Both Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz presented their respective visions for the future, giving voters valuable insights into their leadership styles and priorities.

Overall, the vice presidential debate provided a glimpse into the contrasting approaches of the two candidates, offering voters a chance to evaluate their qualifications and ideologies. With Election Day fast approaching, the impact of this debate on the electoral landscape remains to be seen.