The first question in Tuesday’s vice presidential debate between Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. J.D. Vance focused on the Middle East.

The CBS moderators asked Mr. Walz and Mr. Vance if they would back Israel if it chooses to launch a preemptive strike against Iran in response to the barrage of missiles it launched earlier in the day.

Mr. Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris’ Democratic running mate, used the opportunity to launch a broadside against former President Donald Trump.

“Steady leadership is going to matter. A nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes is not what we need at the moment,” Mr. Walz said. “He should be nowhere near the White House.”

Mr. Vance said it is up to Israel to choose whether it launches a strike against Iran. He also introduced himself, briefly telling the story of his hardscrabble upbringing made famous in his biography, “Hillbily Elegy.”

“I know a lot of you are worried about the chaos in the world. Donald Trump actually delivered stability in the world,” Mr. Vance said, while accusing the Biden-Harris administration of releasing billions of dollars to Iran.

“They’re using it to buy weapons that they’re launching against our allies,” he said. “Donald Trump recognized that for people to fear the United States, you need strength.”

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.