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Home News 2020 Election Pence, Harris trade barbs during vice presidential debate
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Pence, Harris trade barbs during vice presidential debate

By
Brad Culver
-
October 7, 2020
0
Screenshot of debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence
Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence faced off in their first and only debate at the University of Utah. (C-SPAN)

Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris took part in the only vice presidential debate of the 2020 election Wednesday night.

For first time in its history, the University of Utah hosted a national political debate.

Moderator Susan Page covered several topics during the debate, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, race and ethnic inequality, and accepting the results of the election.

Within minutes, Harris attacked Pence and President Donald Trump’s response to the pandemic.

“This administration has forfeited their right to re-election,” she said.

Harris also highlighted the administration’s stance on mask use.

“The president said you are one side of the ledger if you wear a mask,” she said. “And you are on one side of the ledger if you don’t.”

Pence defended the administration’s response, saying they “saved hundreds of thousands of lives.” He also attacked the plan that former Vice President Joe Biden and Harris have put out.

“The reality is when you look at the Biden plan, it looks a lot like what President Trump and I have been doing every step of the way,” he said.

Pence was pressed on the now infamous Rose Garden event where President Trump and other Republican senators and political operatives were infected with the COVID-19 virus.

“That Rose Garden event, there has been a great deal of speculation on the event,” he said. “It was an outdoor event, which our scientists routinely advise.”

When asked about climate change and whether it was attributed to man-made causes, Pence admitted that “the climate is changing” and touted The Outdoors Act that the Trump campaign enacted, but then changed the subject to the economy and how environmental restrictions should not slow down the economy.

“The U.S. has reduced more CO2 than the countries still in the Paris Agreement,” he said. “And we’ve done it through natural gas and fracking.”

Harris said the Biden administration would immediately get back into the Paris Accords, but she said that they would not ban fracking.

The debate turned to the topic of race and ethnic inequality, and each of the candidates were asked about the death of Breonna Taylor.

“Her family deserves justice,” Harris said.

Pence had a much different answer.

“I trust the system,” he said.

Another topic of note was the peaceful transition of power. When asked what her party would do if the Trump administration refused to leave, Harris said that the power is with the voters.

“It is within our power to use our vote,” she said. “We will not let anyone subvert our democracy.”

Pence evaded the question of what he would do if the president refused to leave office, and instead accused the Democrats of already tampering with democracy.

“When you talk about accepting the outcome of the election, I have to tell you,” he said. “Senator, your party has spent the last three and a half years trying to overturn the elections of the 2016 election.”

The debate ended on a somewhat peaceful note with a question submitted by Utah eighth grader Brecklynn Booker, who described the political divide. She asked the candidates, “how is your presidency going to unite and heal our country?”

“When the debate is over, we will come together as Americans,” Pence said.

“Joe Biden has a history of lifting people up,” Harris said.

Outside Kingsbury Hall, protesters gathered to support their candidates and their causes. Globe photographer Will Samsky captured several images of the demonstrations.

Protests during the vice presidential debate
1 of 10
Lady Maga USA
Lady Maga USA shows her support for President Trump on University and 100 S. Her support for Trump caused her to be forced out of the LGBTQ community. (Will Samsky)
Protester holds sign that reads "We're better than this vote him out"
Don Tarter stands in front of Kingsbury Hall with his homemade sign in support of Joe Biden. Don had never protested before President Trump but now he has attended several starting with one in support of Bears Ears National Monument. (Will Samsky)
Police officer wearing tactical gear
Salt Lake City police officers were on scene to ensure protests remained peaceful. (Will Samsky)
Sive above protesters reads "2020 MAGA"
Trump supporters gather on University. They set up loudspeakers to play music and sing. (Will Samsky)
Hiedi holds a mic and sings
Heidi Knickerbocker belts out the National Anthem in front of protesters bringing brief silence among the crowd of protestors. She has sang at several rallies in the state. (Will Samsky)
Armenian protesters
Supporters of Armenia gather to sing their national anthem in front of the Catholic Newman Center on University. They seek support from President Trump in stopping terrorism in Armenia. (Will Samsky)
Carl Morre wearing a "Black Lives Matter" mask
Carl Morre of the Hopi and Chemehuevi tribes attended to protest President Trump’s actions on the Dakota Pipeline and Bears Ears National Park. Carl also wants to spread awareness of a persons heritage and culture on their political beliefs. (Will Samsky)
Protesters demonstrate behind police line
Salt Lake City police officers stand between Biden and Trump supporters. James Sullivan, a member of Civilized Awakening, stands on the other side telling his message in support of President Trump and All Lives Matter. (Will Samsky)
Semira X protesting
Semira X of the Salt Lake Equal Rights Movement shouts her support of Black Lives Matter and abolishing the police. (Will Samsky)
Frank C-Gas
Frank C-Gas plays his saxophone amid the chaos of protests. He plays frequently at Temple Square not for tips, but to bring joy to people's lives. (Will Samsky)
  • TAGS
  • government
  • Kamala Harris
  • Kingsbury Hall
  • Mike Pence
  • photo gallery
  • politics
  • protest
  • Salt Lake City
  • University of Utah
  • vice presidential debate
Brad Culver

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