First VP Debate; Standout Moments

Just one week after the first presidential debate, Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) had their chance to speak on critical issues in the coming election. The discussion took place on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. 

Wednesday night was a noticeably calmer debate compared to last week’s clash between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. However, both candidates showed their apparent opposition on issues regarding COVID-19, climate change and more. The Circle prepared an analysis of critical topics and moments from the night:  

Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief of USA Today, moderated the debate and successfully kept the candidates on track. The debate included a series of 10-minute segments, and candidates were given two minutes to respond to Page’s questions, uninterrupted (fact-checking is a necessary component of watching candidates battle live on the debate stage). 

Debate viewers noticed a vastly different tone from the very beginning. The vice president started the discussion by articulating his respect for Harris: “Senator Harris, it's a privilege to be on the stage with you,” he said. Pence later recognized the historic accomplishment of her nomination as the first Black woman and Indian-American as Vice President. However, Pence’s disruptions began early on, and Harris’s response went viral. 

“Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking,” Harris said in the first segment of the debate after an interruption. This message resonated on social media –– research shows that women are interrupted by men more often, and Harris’s trending quote follows a pattern of women in politics reclaiming their voice on a public stage.

The Coronavirus

The coronavirus segment covered the federal response to the virus, the 210,000 Americans who have lost their lives and the potential for an upcoming vaccine.

Harris expressed her disapproval with the Trump administration and its failure to control the spread of the coronavirus. “The American people have witnessed what the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country is ...They knew what was happening and they didn’t tell you … They knew, and they covered it up,” she said. She then referenced her and Biden’s strategy for controlling, testing and administering a vaccine, if elected. 

Pence defended the federal response to the virus and led by offering condolences to those who suffered from COVID-19. “You know, there's not a day gone by that I haven't thought of every American family that’s lost a loved one. And I want all of you to know that you’ll always be in our hearts and our prayers … When you say what the American people have done over these last eight months hasn't worked, that's a great disservice to the sacrifices the American people have made,” he said.  

Climate Change

Harris addressed Biden’s capacity to handle climate change: "Let's talk about who is prepared to lead our country for the next four years on what is an existential threat to us as human beings,” she said. Harris then explained Biden’s plans to invest in renewable energy, create jobs, achieve zero emissions by 2050 and be carbon neutral by 2035.

Pence claimed that Democratic initiatives will raise taxes driven by the Green New Deal. 

"As I said, Susan, the climate is changing. We'll follow the science ... Joe Biden said twice in the debate last week that he was going to repeal the Trump tax cuts on day one. Those tax cuts delivered $2,000 in tax relief to the average family of four across America," the vice president said. Harris opposed this claim, saying they will not raise taxes on every American. 

Unity:

An eighth-grader from Springville, Utah, submitted the final question of the debate. Page shared eighth grader Brecklynn Brown’s query: “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 citizens supposed to get along?” 

Harris answered the question by touting Biden’s bipartisanship. “Joe has a longstanding reputation of working across the aisle. Joe Biden has a history of lifting people and fighting for their dignity,” she said. 

Pence answered the question by encouraging the young American not to believe everything that is shown in the media: “Don’t assume that what you’re seeing on your local news networks is synonymous with the American people,” he said. Pence explained citizens’ ability to look past party affiliation, using the example of ideologically-opposed Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia. 

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced on Thursday that the 2nd presidential debate would be held virtually after Trump and other administration members tested positive for COVID-19. Trump’s administration rejected the virtual invitation and pushed for an in-person event. On Oct. 9, the commission canceled the debate. 

After the VP debate, presidential polls from ABC and CNN placed Biden/Harris in the lead. Now, the rest of the presidential debate schedule remains in question. 

Illustration of Democratic vice presidential nominees Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Pence by Jamie Goodman ‘23.