The Vice Presidential debate was what the American people wanted and hoped for (that the people running for president could not deliver). Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence, for the most part, delivered with poise. 

But like any other political debate there were holes, deflected answers, personal attacks, inflated facts, and questions that were left on the table. 

The biggest issues were the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy, criminal justice reform and racial issues near dead last. 

The moderator, Susan Page of USA Today, enforced the ground rules and established Covid-19 safety procedures. Harris and Pence were separated by Plexiglass and seated 12-feet apart facing America.

The Major Topic: The Trump Administration’s Handling of the Pandemic 

In her opening statement Senator Kamala Harris told Vice President Mike Pence, Susan Page, and America that Trump’s response to the pandemic was, “the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.” Harris then listed facts to support her opening statement: 

• 210,000 people dead in the US 
• 7 million people contracted the virus 
• 1 in 5 businesses closed 
• 30 million people have filed for unemployment 
• The president knew about the virus on January 28th and didn’t inform the American people 

Harris hammered the Trump Administration’s missteps with handling (minimizing) the virus. She stated that Trump does not have a plan and, “still didn’t have a plan. Well Joe Biden does and our plan is [about] what we have to do on a national strategy: contact tracing for testing, administration of vaccines, and making sure that its free for all,”  Senator Harris said to the American people. 

Mike Pence’s Response to the pandemic and how the death toll in America compared to other wealthy nations  

Vice president Mike Pence is leading the Corona Virus task force. He began by facing the American people and reminding the public that Trump has done a good job of handling the pandemic. He then listed his facts to support the claim:

• Trump issued a China Travel Ban that saved American lives 
• Biden opposed the ban 
• Bought the U.S. time
• 115 million people tested
• A guarantee that a vaccine will be available by the end of this year 

Ultimately, Pence tells the public that Biden’s plan is the same as Trump’s plan and that it, “looks a little bit like plagiarism, which is something that Biden knows a little bit about. I think the American people know that this is a president who has put the health of America first.” 

Kamala and Pence began to debate back and forth about how the American people have sacrificed in the midst of the pandemic. Both candidates were strong out the gate, affirming that they have the right answers to lead America through the pandemic. 

Voters’ Concern with the Age of Both Presidential Candidates

This topic was a miss for both candidates. Pence didn’t answer the question, instead he went back to talking about Covid-19 and vaccines that will be ready by the end of the year. 

He also addressed Kamala Harris’ ‘opinion’ on the Trump Administration’s mishandling of the virus by comparing the Covid-19 Pandemic to that of the Swine Flu in 2009 under Obama’s Administration.

Kamala answered this question by discussing her experience and took the spotlight off Biden’s age. Harris focused on her historical career –being elected the first black woman to serve as district attorney of San Francisco. She is the first black woman elected attorney general of California and the second black woman elected to the United States Senate. 

The U.S. Economy

Biden’s Campaign position on the American economy at its core is vastly different from the Trump’s. The Biden Campaign will get rid of the Trump Tax Bill. The money from raising taxes on the wealthy will go to the American people: investments in infrastructure, renewable and clean energy, and science. Free education for students considering a two-year college. Students whose family make less than $100,000 will go to a four-year-public-school for free as well. Student loan debt will be cut by $10,000.

Trump’s Campaign is firming against the Green New Deal, and fully endorses burning fossil fuel, fracking, and the Tax Cuts and Job Acts. Mike Pence promises to “keep America growing” and is certain that Trump’s vision for the economy is working and will fuel its recovery. 

Race and Systemic Oppression 

Both Kamala Harris and Mike Pence display sincerity when talking about the recent case of Breonna Taylor. However, Harris believes that justice was not served. She states, “Biden and I will immediately ban chokeholds, requiring a national registry of police officers who break the law; get rid of private prisons, and cash bail, and decriminalize marijuana.”

Pence offered his sympathy to Taylor’s family, but believes justice was served: “I trust our justice system…with regards to George Floyd there is no excuse for what happened to George Floyd. Justice will be served. But there was also no excuse for the rioting and looting that followed.”

The fundamental difference between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris on police brutality is that Pence doesn’t believe in systemic oppression. Since he doesn’t believe in systemic oppression, he doesn’t think the justice system is broken.

Conclusion:

I believe that this debate was better, but it didn’t help undecided voters in the end. Both parties made good strides. The vice-presidential candidates should be at the next debate to help the presidential candidates actually debate.

 

photo cred: WRAL News