CBS News will be hosting a vice presidential debate next week between JD Vance and Tim Walz. The network has announced that it will be up to the candidates themselves, not the moderators, to fact-check their opponents during the 90-minute debate. Moderators Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan will facilitate opportunities for the candidates to point out misstatements by each other, with CBS News Confirmed providing real-time fact-checking during the debate.
The decision by CBS News to have the candidates fact-check each other is seen as a departure from previous debates where moderators corrected inaccurate statements by candidates. Some argue that offstage fact-checking may not reach as many viewers as on-air corrections. Angie Drodnic Holan, from the Poynter Institute, expressed interest in seeing how this approach will work in practice, but also noted that it may not be ideal to offload fact-checking responsibilities onto the candidates.
Unlike the presidential debates, the vice presidential candidates' microphones will not be turned off while their opponent is speaking, potentially leading to more heated exchanges. CBS reserves the right to shut off a "hot mic" when necessary. Each candidate will have two minutes for a closing statement, with Vance winning the coin toss and choosing to have the last word.
This debate is a significant moment for CBS News, which has historically been in third place in evening news ratings. O'Donnell recently announced she will be stepping down from her role as anchor, while Brennan is considered a rising star. The debate will be made available for other networks to televise, and it will take place in a studio that has hosted several popular programs in the past.
While there are no plans for Trump and Harris to share the stage before the election, Harris has accepted an invitation for another debate on Oct. 23, while Trump has rejected it. A poll by Quinnipiac University found that likely voters overwhelmingly want to see the two candidates face off again. CBS' "60 Minutes" is also looking to secure interviews with Harris and Trump, but their participation has not been confirmed yet.