WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – It was a showdown of the vice-presidential candidates Tuesday night.

Both Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Republican Senator JD Vance came into the CBS News vice presidential debate with something to prove.

This was a debate on the issues, both Vance and Walz avoided personal attacks and at times agreed with each other, but the biggest challenge of the night was owning up to past comments.

For Vance and Walz the night started with a handshake and then the gloves came off.  The first question was on fighting in the Middle East.

“So, Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before because of Donald Trump’s fickle leadership,” said Vance.

Then turned to immigration.

“What would Donald Trump talk about if we actually did some of these things? And they need to be done by the legislature,” said Walz.

On the economy Vance leaned on Trump’s four years in office.

“People say that Donald Trump’s economic plan doesn’t make sense. I say, look at the record,” said Vance.

They sparred on abortion access.

“We’re pro-freedom to make your own choice. We know what the implications are to not be that,” said Walz.

The debate comes as hundreds of thousands of ballots have already been cast as part of early voting.