US election 2020: Analysis on the vice-presidential debate
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00:00Hello, and welcome to the quick analysis of the US vice presidential debate between Mike
00:10Pence and Kamala Harris.
00:12To those of us who followed the debate last week between President Donald Trump and Joe
00:18Biden, today's debate was a study in contrast to the one held last week.
00:24There were no interruptions or name calling, no snide remarks or sneering in Salt Lake
00:30City.
00:31In its place was a more pleasant debate that was set firmly in place by the moderator,
00:36Susan Page.
00:37Both candidates stuck to their rehearsed points and were not challenged by the moderator when
00:43they did not give a direct answer.
00:46Vice President Mike Pence came across as an expert on how to evade questions, soft spoken
00:53and polite, Pence repeatedly spoke on issues other than the question put to him.
00:59Here's an example.
01:00When the candidates were asked what they felt about the age and health of the presidential
01:05candidates, Pence spoke about the coronavirus vaccine and Harris of her mother and of what
01:10she did as the Attorney General of California.
01:13It was a perfect example of how to answer a question in a debate when it is uncomfortable.
01:20Don't answer it at all.
01:22In terms of expression and curtness, Harris came across as the stronger candidate compared
01:28to the gentle Pence.
01:29She wasted no time in attacking Trump's record on COVID-19 with facts and figures right at
01:36the beginning of the debate.
01:38She said, the American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential
01:43administration in the history of our country.
01:46And frankly, this administration has forfeited its right to re-election based on this.
01:52The reply from Pence was studied and on expected lines.
01:56I want the American people to know from the very first day President Donald Trump has
02:02put the health of America first, Pence said, pointing to his ban on travel from China on
02:09January 31st, a month after cases first emerged in Wuhan.
02:14While the two candidates were largely cordial, there was friction over police and racial
02:20issues.
02:21Pence called presumptions of systemic racism among police, a great insult to the men and
02:27women who serve in law enforcement.
02:30Harris, a former prosecutor, responded sharply.
02:33I will not sit here and be lectured by the vice president about what it means to enforce
02:39the laws of this country, Harris said.
02:42She noted Trump's reluctance to directly condemn white supremacy in last week's debate against
02:49Biden.
02:50Sometimes during the debate, when Pence interjected while Harris was speaking, she was pointed
02:56in her reply, Mr. Pence, I am speaking, I am speaking.
03:01Now after defending the administration's response to the virus, Pence put Harris on the defensive
03:07with attacks on Biden's tax and environment plans and the accusation that Biden would
03:14try to add justices to the Supreme Court.
03:17Pence said, from day one, Joe Biden is going to raise your taxes.
03:22Harris said, that's not true.
03:24Now in contrast to Trump's attacks on Biden and his family, Pence demonstrated calm and
03:30stability and congratulated Harris on the historic nature of her candidacy.
03:35The debate could have been livelier had the moderator pursued questions when they were
03:41not answered.
03:42With two minutes each per contestant for nine topics, including climate change, economy,
03:49China and racial justice.
03:51At times it seemed like a race against the clock and more of a question and answer session.
03:58In fact, the debate was an overcorrection of what we saw last week.
04:03Having said that, there were times when the candidates did come out strongly.
04:08As I said earlier, one was when Harris said, I will not sit here and be lectured by the
04:13vice president on what it means to enforce the laws of our country.
04:17And Pence said, you are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your
04:23own facts.
04:24So who won the debate?
04:26In many parts, it was Kamala Harris who came out as the stronger candidate against the
04:31softer gentle Pence.
04:33The debate between Pence and Harris is unlikely to change the presidential race, but viewers
04:40got a good idea of how strong the vice presidential candidates are.