25°
Who do you think performed best in the debate?
- Sen. JD Vance
- Gov. Tim Walz
- Neither did well
The most contentious moment of the night came from Sen. JD Vance and CBS moderator Margaret Brennan, a Stamford native. The exchange has since gone viral with Republicans up in arms over what they consider unfair treatment and Democrats applauding her.
The moment happened after Vance brought up the issue of Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, whom he repeatedly called "illegal immigrants." The Republican who represents Ohio said the influx of undocumented immigrants is overwhelming schools and hospitals, competing with Americans for jobs, and driving up housing prices.
Brennan, sitting beside co-moderator Norah O'Donnell, said she wanted to "clarify" that many of the Haitians in Springfield are in the US legally, something both the city's mayor and Ohio's governor, both Republicans, have reiterated repeatedly.
Vance took issue with Brennan's interjection.
“The rules were that (the moderators) weren’t going to fact-check, and since you’re fact-checking me, I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on," he said.
Vance pressed on about the topic and blamed Vice President Kamala Harris for the immigration problems until CBS cut his mic, something they'd threatened to do if they felt a candidate was not following the rules. Gov. Tim Walz, Harris' running mate, also had his microphone turned off for attempting to hit back at his opponent.
The fact check and decision to cut the microphones had Republicans incensed online. Ex-President Donald Trump and his backers attacked the moderators after his debate last month with Harris.
Fox News's Brit Hume called the moderators "obnoxious and made it feel like 3-on-1 on Vance."
Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly had a more curt response.
However, many took Brennan's side.
Commentator Medhi Hasan applauded Brennan for fact-checking Vance.
Tuesday's debate will be the only one between the vice presidential nominees and likely the last one before the Nov. 5 election day.
Trump has said he doesn't believe he would get a fair shake in a second debate.
Margaret Brennan is a longtime reporter for CBS News and host of "Face the Nation." She graduated with honors from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich before attending the University of Virginia.
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