VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. Last night, the first and only debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris began at 9:00 p.m. EDT in Salt Lake City, UT. Moderated by USA Today journalist Susan Page, the debate paralleled the format of the first presidential debate we saw on September 29. 

   As they worked through different topics from abortion to race to foreign policy, candidates both talked about their own personal experiences and opinions but also those of their running mates, former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump. Viewers saw a common theme of candidates avoiding the proposed question, attacking, and interrupting, though no where close to the magnitude in which we saw at the presidential debate. 

   According to NBC, the most elaborated subject was President Trump, doubling foreign policy and race combined. Pence had 9 more attacks and 7 more interruptions than Harris. Both candidates went over time. Harris made history by being the first Black and South Asian woman to partake in a national election debate. 

  Some contrasts between these two teams are simply so apparent, take abortion and climate change for example. First, Pence openly stated last night that he was pro-life while Harris countered suggesting she believes all women have the right to decide what to do with their own body’s, supporting pro-choice. Harris pitched and reiterated the Biden/Harris plans for sustainable infrastructure and equitable clean energy, while Pence highlighted why the American people need continued fracking. 

   We witnessed many of the same questions pitched to the vice presidential candidates such as what the respectable next steps are for filling the open seat in the Supreme Court. Pence piggy-backed Trump’s statement, stating the Trump administration will win regardless this fall and continue to support their nominee, current US federal judge Amy Coney Barrett. 

   CNN’s release of a post-debate survey suggests that 61 percent of registered voters expected Harris to win, furthermore 59 percent of this same population said Harris actually won the debate. Additionally, the same piece points out “Harris did improve her favorability rating among those who watched, according to the poll, while for Pence, the debate was a wash. In pre-debate interviews, 56% said they had a positive view of Harris, that rose to 63% after the debate. For Pence, his favorability stood at 41% in both pre- and post-debate interviews.”

   As for students, many had strong takeaways after watching this debate.

   “I think that this country needs a diverse women in power. So many people still don’t believe that there should be a women in power and we need someone to change that perspective.

   “Kamala Harris has a clear vision to help this country and I believe she can show that women are just as good as men. She also shows so much racial diversity that is hugely important today.

   “Our country is split right now due to racism and she can help bring equality. As a south Asian myself, it also makes me proud to know that she will be a part of the national election,” said Trisha Chidambaram, 10. 

   Overall, the majority of students expressed thoughts on how the debate further solidified their views and opinions going into the debate. 

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/vp-debate-coverage-fact-check-10-07-20/index.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/vice-presidential-debate-2020-topics-data-attacks-n1242442