The Harris Pence vice-presidential debate 2020 in Ohio tackled economic issues, coronavirus, and their running mates’ ages.
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris and incumbent US Vice President Mike Pence were separated by two sheets of plexiglass, facing a socially distanced audience. The debate was moderated by Susan Page, who joined the candidates on the stage.
The debate began with a question about the coronavirus crisis, which led to the death of more than 210,000 people in the US.
“The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country,” she said in her initial response, touching on President Donald Trump administration’s management of the coronavirus crisis.
Harris also mentioned the death toll of the virus in the US and criticized the White House for not taking action in the initial phase of the pandemic.
“They knew what was happening and they didn’t tell you,” she stressed. “They knew, and they covered it up.”
Pence defended the government and claimed that a Biden administration would not have performed better in the same situation.
“Our nation’s gone through a very challenging time this year, but I want the American people to know that from the very first day, President Trump has put the health of the American people first,” he said.
Pence also criticized Joe Biden’s record in terms of economic policies. When Harris raised the issue about the Trump administration’s trade war with China, the vice president retorted: “Joe Biden never fought it.”
"You respect the American people when you tell them the truth. You respect the American people when you have the courage to be a leader, speaking of those things you may not want people to hear, but they need to hear so they can protect themselves. But this administration stood on information that if you had as a parent or a worker, if you didn't have enough money saved up, you're standing in a food line because of the ineptitude," Harris said. "They've had to sacrifice far too much because of the incompetence of this administration."
Court-packing
Pence slammed Harris for court-packing during the discussion on the health coverage of those with pre-existing conditions.
"Stop playing politics with people's lives" is a phrase you would probably expect during a debate this year -- just not coming from someone working for Trump. Nevertheless, Pence made the accusation, saying Harris was undermining confidence in an eventual coronavirus vaccine by saying she wouldn't take it unless it was endorsed by public health experts.
"The fact that you continue to undermine public confidence in a vaccine, if a vaccine emerges during the Trump Administration, I think is unconscionable," Pence said. "Senator, I just ask you, stop playing politics with people's lives."
Page asked Harris and Biden the last question of the night which was sent by an eighth grader from Springville, Utah.
“When I watch the news, all I see are two candidates from opposing parties, trying to tear each other down. If our leaders can’t get along, how are the citizen supposed to get along?” Page read. “Your examples could make all the difference to bring us together.”
Pence responded to the question: “Don’t assume that what you’re seeing on your local news networks is synonymous with the American people.” He mentioned the late Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, who were close friends despite their opposing political opinions.
Harris grabbed the opportunity to praise Biden’s character. “Joe has a longstanding reputation of working across the aisle,” she said. “Joe Biden has a history of lifting people up and fighting for their dignity.”
