webfact Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Harris, Pence clash over Trump's virus response at U.S. VP debate By Michael Martina and Joseph Ax U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris applaud at the end of the 2020 vice presidential debate on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., October 7, 2020. Morry Gash/Pool via REUTERS SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) - Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris clashed early and often over the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus pandemic during their debate on Wednesday, as the White House struggled to contain an outbreak that has infected President Donald Trump and dozens of others. The policy-heavy debate stood in stark contrast to last week's chaotic presidential debate between Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, which was marred by Trump's constant interruptions and personal insults from both men. But the confrontation seemed unlikely to alter the trajectory of the race, as both candidates evaded certain questions but avoided the kind of gaffe that would generate headlines. Harris, fulfilling the running mate's traditional attack role, went after Trump's record on healthcare and the economy to climate change and foreign policy, while Pence defended the Republican administration's nearly four-year-old record. "The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country," Harris said as the debate began at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. In response, Pence blamed China for the pandemic and touted the U.S. administration's efforts to battle the disease, including Trump's decision in late January to restrict travel from the pandemic's epicenter in China. "I want the American people to know that from the very first day, President Donald Trump has put the health of America first," he said. "China is to blame for the coronavirus, and President Trump is not happy about it," he added. Pence was questioned about the administration's White House event last month announcing Trump's latest Supreme Court nomination, where masks and social distancing were mostly absent. A number of prominent attendees, including the president himself, have since tested positive for COVID-19. The vice president noted that the event was outdoors before criticizing Harris and Biden, who have said they would mandate masks on federal property and encourage the practice nationwide, for not respecting people's freedom to make their own choices on health. "You respect the American people when you tell them the truth," Harris retorted, noting that Trump played down the virus for months. The two candidates were separated by 12 feet (3.6 meters) and plexiglass shields, a reminder of the pandemic that has claimed 210,000 American lives and devastated the economy. Harris faulted the Trump administration for trying to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) healthcare law in the midst of a pandemic and assailing Trump for reportedly paying $750 a year in federal income taxes as president. "When I first heard about it, I literally said, 'You mean $750,000?'" Harris said, referring to a New York Times investigation. "And it was like, 'No - $750.'" She also warned that the Trump administration's challenge to the ACA would enable insurance companies to deny coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions: "If you love someone who has a pre-existing condition, they're coming for you." Pence called the ACA, popularly known as Obamacare, a "disaster." The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments over the law a week after the election. Republicans are working to seat Trump's conservative nominee to the court, Amy Coney Barrett, by month's end over the objections of Democrats. TAX BATTLE Pence sought to counter Harris's attacks by turning the focus to the economy and tax policy, saying: "On Day One, Joe Biden's going to raise your taxes." Harris responded by saying that Biden has vowed not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 a year. The vice president also asserted that Biden would ban fracking and embrace the Green New Deal, a massive environmental proposal backed by liberal Democrats. Biden, however, has disavowed both of those positions. Asked about a potential vaccine, Harris said she would only trust the word of scientists, rather than that of Trump, who has promoted unproven treatments in the past. "If the doctors tell us that we should take it, I'll be the first in line to take it, absolutely," she said. "But if Donald Trump tells us to take it, I'm not taking it." Pence fired back, accusing Harris of undermining public confidence in vaccines. "I think it is unconscionable," he said. "Stop playing politics with people's lives." RACE AN ISSUE Harris, the first Black woman to serve on a major-party presidential ticket, also attacked Pence on race relations, criticizing Trump for turning down an opportunity to denounce white supremacists at last week's debate with Biden. In response, Pence accused the media of taking Trump's words out of context and said the president had repeatedly disavowed racist groups. The age of the two presidential candidates added weight to the debate, with both Pence and Harris seeking to show they were capable of assuming the office. Either Trump, 74, or Biden, 77, would be the oldest president in U.S. history, and Trump's recent COVID-19 diagnosis has only made that issue more salient. The two candidates jockeyed for position in their respective parties; both are widely seen as future presidential candidates, whatever the outcome of November's contest. Biden leads Trump in national opinion polls and has an advantage of 12 percentage points in the latest Reuters/Ipsos survey of likely voters. Polls show the race to be closer in some of the election battleground states that could determine the winner, although a Reuters/Ipsos poll on Wednesday showed Biden leading Trump in pivotal Florida. Harris, who was on the biggest stage of her political career, is a U.S. senator from California and the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India. Pence, a former conservative radio host, is a former U.S. congressman and Indiana governor who has steadfastly defended Trump during his tumultuous presidency. (Reporting by Michael Martina in Salt Lake City and Joseph Ax in Princeton, New Jersey; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina Chiacu, Jason Lange and Alexandra Alper; Editing by Soyoung Kim and Howard Goller) -- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mavideol Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 5 minutes ago, webfact said: "I want the American people to know that from the very first day, President Donald Trump has put the health of America first," he said and while saying it, he kept a straight face....one does need courage to say something that stupxx at a live tv debate 18 1 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mavideol Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 (edited) 10 minutes ago, webfact said: Pence, a former conservative radio host, Pence is widely seen as future presidential candidate 555 almost choke on that one, did he ever wonder why Trump chose him for VP 555 Edited October 8, 2020 by Mavideol 9 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tippaporn Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 Harris regurgitated every known debunked MSM fake talking point ever conceived. In other words, she lied often. 10 4 5 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kelsall Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 (edited) Congratulations VP Pence! You mopped the floor with her! Outstanding job on taking control and holding your position. Your question to her “Will you pack the Supreme Court?” was great. She didn’t answer it and you did for her. Also you said Biden will have to answer it next week. Outstanding! Get you a case of beer for that one! Edited October 8, 2020 by Kelsall 12 2 2 1 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mtls2005 Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 Slam dunk for Sen. Harris. Why does Pence remind me of Capt. Clarence Oveur (Peter Graves) in Airplane? 4 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post stevenl Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 'Stop playing politics with people's lives' Pence said. When will masks become mandatory? 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kelsall Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 Harris was near tears for half the debate. She is clearly NOT presidential material. 8 8 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post darksidedog Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, webfact said: The vice president noted that the event was outdoors before criticizing Harris and Biden, who have said they would mandate masks on federal property and encourage the practice nationwide, for not respecting people's freedom to make their own choices on health. That would be great if it were only the person not wearing a mask at risk, but by doing so, anyone with Covid is going to be spreading it to other people. That essentially means those who do not wear a mask are not simply exercising their own choices, they are recklessly endangering others lives. How exactly can that be justified? It is like suggesting that someone with HIV having unprotected sex, without asking the others consent is acceptable. Making stupid statements on a political basis, despite the overwhelming majority of the health professionals endorsing mask usage, really should not be a vote winner for the intelligent. 14 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tippaporn Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 24 minutes ago, stevenl said: 'Stop playing politics with people's lives' Pence said. When will masks become mandatory? Never. At least that's the answer given by people who value their freedom. 4 8 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post stevenl Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 6 minutes ago, Tippaporn said: Never. At least that's the answer given by people who value their freedom. Whoosh 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tippaporn Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 18 minutes ago, darksidedog said: That would be great if it were only the person not wearing a mask at risk, but by doing so, anyone with Covid is going to be spreading it to other people. That essentially means those who do not wear a mask are not simply exercising their own choices, they are recklessly endangering others lives. How exactly can that be justified? Making stupid statements on a political basis, despite the overwhelming majority of the health professionals endorsing mask usage, really should not be a vote winner for the intelligent. Freedom versus fear. A lot of people don't understand people who lack fear. Generally a fearful person looks at a person without fear, can't understand why the person doesn't fear as they do, and because their fear is so real to them conclude that the fearless person must be crazy not to recognize their own fearful personal reality. Who's the crazy one? Everyone gets to decide for themselves. I'm secure in my opinion. Explain Sweden. 5 1 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThreeEyedRaven Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 4 minutes ago, Tippaporn said: Freedom versus fear. A lot of people don't understand people who lack fear. Generally a fearful person looks at a person without fear, can't understand why the person doesn't fear as they do, and because their fear is so real to them conclude that the fearless person must be crazy not to recognize their own fearful personal reality. Who's the crazy one? Everyone gets to decide for themselves. I'm secure in my opinion. Explain Sweden. Freedom versus fear? More like stupidity versus common sense. It is stupidity that makes people cling to their "freedoms" even when doing so flies in the face of reason. Giving something up on a short term basis that saves lives should be obvious unless you absolutely don't care that you could be killing others, just to keep your petty non mask wearing freedom. Your argument has no merit whatsoever. You can decide for yourself, when it is only you your decision is risking. Once your decisions become dangerous to others, it is absolutely right that the decision be taken away from you. It is the reason we take knives and lighters away from small children, who also don't know any better. 14 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Justgrazing Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 (edited) Didn't need a fly on the wall in this with the one that landed on Pence's head .. was that a bad omen given what flies are attracted to sometimes .. Edited October 8, 2020 by Justgrazing Sp 1 1 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chomper Higgot Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 57 minutes ago, Kelsall said: Harris was near tears for half the debate. She is clearly NOT presidential material. Oh no, the wholly original and devastating ‘emotional woman’ attack. 5 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ChouDoufu Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 15 minutes ago, Tippaporn said: Freedom versus fear. A lot of people don't understand people who lack fear. Generally a fearful person looks at a person without fear, can't understand why the person doesn't fear as they do, and because their fear is so real to them conclude that the fearless person must be crazy not to recognize their own fearful personal reality. Who's the crazy one? Everyone gets to decide for themselves. I'm secure in my opinion. Explain Sweden. people that lack fear are fools. it's one thing to be incapacitated by fear, and quite another to judge the dangers of a situation and have the capacity to act accordingly. ignoring science and refusing to wear a mask because of "muh freeeedum" is foolish. do you wear a seat belt? do you don a motorcycle helmet? do you wear a condom when consorting with strangers? do you wander thru the tiger pit at the zoo? if it were only the individual that could be hurt, then fine. make an informed choice, and bear the consequences yourself. but not when your freeeedum can put others at risk, and not when you expect society to waste resources saving your butt when reality strikes. 17 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chomper Higgot Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, darksidedog said: That would be great if it were only the person not wearing a mask at risk, but by doing so, anyone with Covid is going to be spreading it to other people. That essentially means those who do not wear a mask are not simply exercising their own choices, they are recklessly endangering others lives. How exactly can that be justified? It is like suggesting that someone with HIV having unprotected sex, without asking the others consent is acceptable. Making stupid statements on a political basis, despite the overwhelming majority of the health professionals endorsing mask usage, really should not be a vote winner for the intelligent. Don’t mention HIV in context with Pence. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/03/02/how-mike-pence-made-indianas-hiv-outbreak-worse-118648 Two public health crisis failures is enough for anyone, no matter how much of a dud they are. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mavideol Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Kelsall said: Harris was near tears for half the debate. She is clearly NOT presidential material. sexist, xenophobic, segregated attacks display poor or no existent class 7 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kelsall Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 Harris would not answer VP Pence's question about will you pack the Supreme Court? Sounds like they will if given the chance. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-back-supreme-court-packing 3 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post simple1 Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 Just now, Kelsall said: Harris would not answer VP Pence's question about will you pack the Supreme Court? Sounds like they will if given the chance. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-back-supreme-court-packing Nor did Pence answer direct questions e.g. coverage for existing medical conditions - unfortunately atypical behaviour for politicians. 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chomper Higgot Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Kelsall said: Harris would not answer VP Pence's question about will you pack the Supreme Court? Sounds like they will if given the chance. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-back-supreme-court-packing Pack the courts you say. Isn’t ‘packing the courts’ supposed to be Trump’s crowning achievement?! Incidentally she said nothing about Kavanaugh being indicted for perjury, but she set those wheels in motion with her cross examination during his Senate approval hearing. Maybe one right-winger in, definitely one out. Edited October 8, 2020 by Chomper Higgot 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsall Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said: Pack the courts you say. Isn’t ‘packing the courts’ surprised to be Trump’s crowning achievement?! Incidentally she said nothing about Kavanaugh being indicted for perjury, but she set those wheels in motion with her cross examination during his Senate approval hearing. Maybe one right-winger in, definitely one out. There are still 9 Supreme Court Justice positions. Was Kavanaugh indicted? Edited October 8, 2020 by Kelsall 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThreeEyedRaven Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 3 minutes ago, Kelsall said: Harris would not answer VP Pence's question about will you pack the Supreme Court? Sounds like they will if given the chance. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-back-supreme-court-packing Ah Yes! FOX News? What an excellent source of reliable and non partisan information. They have come up with more conspiracies than Breitbart. On the topic of the Supreme Court though, I hardly think Republicans are in a position to throw stones. Firstly, the court is supposed to be utterly impartial and above politics, but here it is getting stacked one side or the other, in itself a disgrace. It is worse though that the precedent set four years ago of not electing judges in an election year, was immediately rescinded once the oportunity was there, despite the majority of the country disagreeing. You want to see it stacked to the right and then moan at the suggestion, from a biased outlet, that the opposition want to level the field? Such blatant hypocrisy can only be found amongst those who are too far gone politically to have any respectability left. 11 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chomper Higgot Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 minute ago, Kelsall said: There are still 9 Supreme Court Justice positions. Was Kavanaugh indicted? He will be and he knows it. He’s a sitting duck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post scorecard Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Kelsall said: Congratulations VP Pence! You mopped the floor with her! Outstanding job on taking control and holding your position. Your question to her “Will you pack the Supreme Court?” was great. She didn’t answer it and you did for her. Also you said Biden will have to answer it next week. Outstanding! Get you a case of beer for that one! You can't be serious. 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tippaporn Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 23 minutes ago, Mavideol said: 1 hour ago, Kelsall said: Harris was near tears for half the debate. She is clearly NOT presidential material. sexist, xenophobic, segregated attacks display poor or no existent class Geezus, you can't legitimately criticize a woman these days without automatically being accused of being sexist and xenophobic? That's one of the reasons people are voting for Trump. They're tired of such mendacious nonsense being spouted without evidence. I flat out reject those types of baseless accusations rooted in groupthink. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mansell Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Kelsall said: Congratulations VP Pence! You mopped the floor with her! Outstanding job on taking control and holding your position. Your question to her “Will you pack the Supreme Court?” was great. She didn’t answer it and you did for her. Also you said Biden will have to answer it next week. Outstanding! Get you a case of beer for that one! I guess between your sunglasses and your hearing aid you didn’t see or hear correctly what transpired. I enjoyed the fly landing the turds head and he didn’t even know. But then again robots cannot feel things like flies on their heads. 3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimmer Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Some off topic posts and replies have been removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mountain Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Male politicians don't want masks because and Oscar Wild said it already, "give a man a mask and he will tell the truth". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mansell Posted October 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Kelsall said: Harris was near tears for half the debate. She is clearly NOT presidential material. In that case based on your biased thinking that Republican judge who ended up on the Supreme Court Who burst into tears when questioned by Kamala should have gone home to Mama. Get a grip on your anti women thinking. She handled herself just fine with no tears in sight while she had to listen to another Trumpeteer interrupting, over talking her, and rambling on with more lies from the Covid Donald. It will all be bye bye in November. And you may well be looking at future President Kamala Harris if Biden snuffs it. Then you’ll really have to suck it up. 9 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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