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Pence, Harris spar on plexiglass-divided stage over coronavirus, Supreme Court during VP debate
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence did not waste time trading fire over President Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the idea of packing the Supreme Court, and taxes as they faced off Wednesday night in their first and only debate before the Nov. 3 election.
The two nominees were significantly more cordial to one another in Utah than Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden were in their first presidential debate last week in Cleveland, though they clashed several times throughout the night when Pence spoke over Harris.
“Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking. I’m speaking,” Harris said at one point during a discussion on taxes. Pence then shot back: “It’d be important if you said the truth.”
During a spirited opening, Harris and Pence sparred over how the Trump administration has performed during the pandemic.
The debate – the first since the president contracted COVID-19 -- came with Trump temporarily sidelined from the campaign, huddling in the White House after being hospitalized for three days at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as he recovers -- though the president was reportedly considering an appearance in Pittsburgh next week.
Harris and Pence sat at desks on the stage – separated not only by 12 feet of space but also by plexiglass partitions – to try to minimize any potential airborne transmission of the virus. Pence and his team initially objected to the barriers but relented hours before the debate. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON OUR TOP STORY.
In other developments:
- Liz Peek: Pence wins VP debate -- Harris proves she's not ready to be president.
- Doug Schoen: Harris and Pence at VP debate — winners, losers, and more on style and substance.
- David Bossie: At VP debate, Pence's steady hand vs. the uncertainty of Harris was on full display.
- Harris, Pence disagree over whether justice was served for Breonna Taylor.
- Undecided voters found Harris 'abrasive, condescending' in vice presidential debate: Frank Luntz.
- Who won the debate? Pence-Harris showdown draws range of opinions online.
AOC to Pence: ‘It’s Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez to you’
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared to be closely watching the vice presidential debate Wednesday night, tweeting several responses to comments by Vice President Mike Pence during his confrontation against Sen. Kamala Harris.
Particularly irking the New York Democrat seemed to be Pence’s reference to her by her widely used nickname “AOC.”
“For the record @Mike_Pence, it’s Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez to you,” Ocasio-Cortez responded on Twitter.
Ocasio-Cortez also appeared bothered by what she saw as “gender dynamics” at work during the debate, in which Pence was the only male participant. She accused Pence of demanding answers for the questions he posed to Harris while trying to avoid directly answering questions put to him by the debate moderator, Susan Page of USA Today.
“Why is it that Mike Pence doesn’t seem to have to answer any of the questions asked of him in this debate?” Ocasio-Cortez wrote.
“Pence demanding that Harris answer *his* own personal questions when he won’t even answer the moderator’s is gross, and exemplary of the gender dynamics so many women have to deal with at work,” she added. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
In other developments:
- ABC's Stephanopoulos accuses Pence of 'mansplaining,’ gets rebuked by female panelists.
- Chris Wallace says both Pence, Harris had a 'pretty good night,' calls them out for 'ducking' questions.
- Democrats, celebrities oppose fracking in reaction to vice presidential debate remarks.
- Vice presidential debate: Harris hits Trump over tax returns, asks president who he owes money to.
- Pence slams Democrats for 'trying to overturn results' of 2016 election, says he has 'confidence' in Trump victory.
- Vice presidential debate: Harris rips Trump administration on ‘standing’ vs. China.
Minnesota National Guard activated, demonstrators gather after George Floyd ex-cop released
The Minnesota National Guard was activated "out of an abundance" of caution, officials said Wednesday, following the release of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin from jail after he posted bail.
“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of Minnesotans, we have asked the Minnesota National Guard to prepare to assist in keeping the peace,” Gov. Tim Walz said.
About 100 soldiers were to be activated in addition to another 100 state troopers and 75 conservation officers with the state Department of Natural Resources.
The personnel were to prepare for any potential unrest, the National Guard tweeted. In a statement to Fox News, the Minneapolis Police Department said it would work with local, state and federal agencies if any violence unfolds.
"We are aware of current and future possible flashpoints that present challenges on both a local and national level," department spokesman John Elder said. "We continue to work with our various communities to ensure our residents’ First Amendment rights to lawfully and peacefully protest are protected while maintaining public safety for all. "
Demonstrators gathered to march downtown according to social media posts, but there were no reports of violence. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
In other developments:
- Wisconsin federal prosecutor warns against unrest after officer avoids charges in fatal shooting of Black teen.
- 'Defund the police' movement takes toll on NYC's crime rate, law enforcement and Dem critics claim.
- LA protest caused tens of thousands in damage to city property: police
- NYPD arrests 24 'spoiled brats' during Jonathan Price protest, Commissioner Shea says
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TODAY'S MUST-READS:
- Mackenzie Lueck's killer pleads guilty to aggravated murder, will avoid death penalty: reports
- Georgia woman missing since July found dead in car: report.
- Dr. Marc Siegel tells Pelosi to 'stop pontificating' about Trump's condition.
- NBA to leave BLM, social justice messaging 'off the floor' next season: Adam Silver.
- Florida principal fired after Holocaust comments that ignited outrage rehired.
- J.J. Watt altercation was last straw for Bill O’Brien.
- Toddler dies in hot car after dad refused to let cops break window
- Fly lands on Pence's head during VP debate, goes viral.
- Fox News Poll: Biden gains ground over Trump.
- Trump campaign leaves ticket for Tupac at vice presidential debate.
THE LATEST FROM FOX BUSINESS:
- The richest Americans recovered most of their wealth after the Covid outbreak.
- Biden 2020: Income inequality is a 'moral issue.'
- London-based investment firm makes late, long-shot bid for TikTok: WSJ.
- Trump pushes Regeneron, Eli Lilly COVID-19 treatments for emergency authorizations.
- Howard Stern and SiriusXM talking $120M annual deal: report.
#TheFlashback: CLICK HERE to find out what happened on "This Day in History."
SOME PARTING WORDS
"Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace saw the vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris as a draw but chastised both candidates for "ducking" various questions from moderator Susan Page throughout the night.
"I thought that it was actually a pretty even night," he said. "I don't think it's gonna change the narrative very much. I do want to say, though, it is the first debate I've ever seen where there was a bug crawling around on one candidate's head for about two or three minutes, and I do not think we can let this evening go without mentioning that."
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