US Elections 2020 : Pence-Harris debate takes on heightened importance (7th Oct, 9pm EST)

[MenInG]

Even if Donald Trump had not become the international poster child for COVID-19, he was always destined to loom over the vice-presidential debate in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, especially after his disastrous opening encounter with Joe Biden, debate analyst Alan Schroeder writes for Al Jazeera.

Now, the president’s illness – and the uncertainty shrouding the state of his health – present Republican running mate Mike Pence with a tricky challenge. The situation also complicates the task of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, leaving her with a delicate line to walk. Even in absentia, even from his sickbed, Trump commands centre stage at the vice-presidential debate.

The debate between Pence and Harris, which begins at 9pm ET (01:00GMT) has the potential to shatter viewership records for vice-presidential debates, which normally draw much smaller audiences than their top-of-the-ticket counterparts. The exception was Biden’s debate against vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin in 2008.

 

[MenInG]

It's time for the supporting cast to bask in the spotlight. The deputies will have their day in charge. The number-two figures are stepping out of the shadows.

This promises to be a vice-presidential debate like no other.

Some have even called it the most important in history, since it comes as the US president is ill with Covid 19, a virus that's claimed 200,000 Americans and upended 330 million lives. Plus a Supreme Court fight, racial unrest and, and, and...

In one corner you have Kamala Harris, the woman who aspires to be the first female vice-president in history.

The California senator, 55, is one of the toughest interrogators in Congress, a hardened former lawyer who has left congressional witnesses bloodied after tearing into them in Senate hearings.

In her sights she has an unflappable Republican vice-president who rarely puts a foot wrong under intense media questioning. He won't just be playing defence, either. He'll be looking to exploit his obvious advantage in one area - he's done it before.

Mr Pence is a 61-year-old, softly-spoken, deeply religious man, a Christian from Indiana. Despite their obvious differences, Mike Pence has been a pillar of loyalty to his boss for four years and they've walked in lock-step on nearly every issue and through every controversy.

Vice-presidential debates don't usually trouble presidential historians too much, but this year the drama of the election campaign could heighten interest in how the pair fare against each other.

The fact that the president has been seriously ill has reminded the public they have the two oldest presidential candidates in history. Being first in the line of succession has never been more significant, and both debaters will be aware they have to present themselves as ready to step into the world's biggest job.

The first debate between Trump and Biden was also so bereft of serious policy that some have said they're hoping for a proper discussion about the vision for America being offered by each ticket.

It could even also be the final debate of the campaign, depending on whether the president recovers in time.

No wonder the Brookings Institution called it the most important vice-presidential debate ever.

When is it, and how can I watch it?

It's on Wednesday at 21:00-22:30ET (02:00-03:30BST), and will be the only match between the two VP candidates.


The two remaining presidential debates are:

15 October in Miami, Florida

22 October in Nashville, Tennessee

Debate organisers are aware that President Trump could have been contagious during the first debate, and potentially infected Joe Biden and moderator Chris Wallace (though both have tested negative so far), so they want to make no mistakes with this one.

The Commission on Presidential Debates has agreed to seat Kamala Harris and Mike Pence 12ft apart - up from 7ft at the presidential debate.

There will also be a glass shield between each candidate's side of the stage to diminish infections. And no more than 200 people on site at the University of Utah's Kingsbury Hall.

A Pence official told the BBC's partner in the US, CBS News, the vice-president is opposed to his side of the stage having any glass.

https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54423497

 

[sweep_shot]

VP debate 2020: Pence and Harris clash on coronavirus pandemic

US Vice-President Mike Pence and Democratic running mate Kamala Harris have clashed fiercely over the coronavirus pandemic in a TV debate.

Ms Harris accused the Trump administration of "the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country".

Mr Pence said Democratic nominee Joe Biden's pandemic plan was "plagiarism" of the current White House's.

Mr Biden leads President Donald Trump with 27 days to go to the vote.

Ms Harris was asked whether she would take an approved Covid-19 vaccine distributed ahead of the forthcoming election. She has previously declined to state whether she would do so.

On Wednesday night, she said she would take a vaccine if approved by prominent US public officials, but not if it was touted by Mr Trump.

Mr Pence retorted: "The fact that you continue to undermine public confidence in a vaccine if the vaccine emerges during the Trump administration I think is unconscionable.

"And, senator, I just ask you, stop playing politics with people's lives."

Mr Pence said he believed there would be a vaccine before the end of this year, though US public health officials have said such a remedy was not expected before the middle of next year.

The plexiglass barriers separating the two debaters seated 12ft (3.6m) apart was a vivid reminder of the pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans.

The small number of socially distanced guests in the auditorium were warned they would be asked to leave if they removed their face masks, as members of Mr Trump's family did at last week's presidential debate.

Mr Pence initially objected to the safety barriers installed by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

What were the other key moments?

Mr Pence said Mr Biden would raise Americans' taxes on day one, pointing out that the Democratic nominee had pledged to repeal Mr Trump's tax reform, which the vice-president said had delivered $2,000 of tax relief to the average US family of four. Ms Harris insisted Mr Biden would not raise taxes on anyone who earns less than $400,000 a year

Ms Harris said the Trump ***-for-tat tariffs on China had caused a manufacturing recession, adding: "You lost that trade war. You lost it." Mr Pence hit back: "Lost the trade war with China? Joe Biden never fought it. Joe Biden's been a cheerleader for communist China through, over the last several decades"

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54459078.

 

[JaDed]

The only thing media got was the fly on Pence :/

 

[JaDed]

Pence actually owner her , if Trump wins ,Pence might be a contender for next one

 

[Stewie]

Pence actually owner her , if Trump wins ,Pence might be a contender for next one

What?

Were you watching the same debate as the rest of the world?

 

[Stewie]

I dont understand these republicans. they deny science, they deny climate change, they simply deny facts.

in a country where separation of church and state is a vital cog in the government wheel, they sure do love to drag religion into everything. Pence claimed they have improved our environmental record a lot. SURE!!!!

who buys their crap?

 

[Stewie]

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/...ys-trump-administration-impacted-environment/

 

[MenInG]

Summary

Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Vice-President Mike Pence debated in Salt Lake City, Utah

It was more civil than last week's chaotic event at the top of the ticket and more policy discussions

Pence defended the US response to Covid-19, which has killed 200,000 Americans

Harris called it "the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country"

They also tangled over taxes, with Pence accusing Harris of a tax hike on working people, which she denies

The duo on stage were separated by glass barriers as a precaution for the pandemic

A fly landing on Pence's head during the debate provided a little light relief for thousands on social media