Kamala Harris faces off against Mike Pence in highly-anticipated vice presidential debate

8 Oct 2020 12:16pm

'Biden's plan reads a lot like what we're doing'

In his opening response, Mr Pence said Mr Trump "put the health of America first".

"President Donald Trump did what no other American President had ever done - and that was he suspended all travel from China - the second largest economy in the world. Joe Biden opposed that decision. He said it was xenophobic

and hysterical.

"I can tell you, having led the White House Coronavirus Taskforce, that that decision by President Trump bought us invaluable time to stand up to the greatest national mobilisation since World War II and I believe that it saved hundreds of thousands of American lives.

"Under President Trump's leadership, Operation Warp Speed, we believe that we'll have tens of millions of doses of a vaccine before the end of this year."

He claimed Mr Biden's plan "reads an awful lot like what President Trump and I and our taskforce have been doing every step of the way".

8 Oct 2020 12:12pm

'The Trump administration minimised the seriousness of the virus'

Predictably enough, we open with a question about the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking first, Ms Harris said the American people "have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country".

"Here are the facts. 210,000 dead people in our country in just the last several months. Over seven million people who have contracted this disease. One in five businesses closed. We're looking at front-line workers who have been treated like sacrificial workers. We are looking at over 30 million people who, in the last several months, had to file for

unemployment."

She went on to say Mr Trump and Mr Pence were responsible for the spread of the virus.

"On January 28, the Vice-President and the President were informed about the nature of this pandemic. They were informed that it's lethal in consequence. That it is airborne. That it will affect young people. And that it would be contracted because it is airborne. They knew what was happening and they didn't tell you. Can you imagine if you knew on January 28, as opposed to March 13, what they knew? What you might have done to prepare? They knew and they covered it up. The President said it was a hoax. They minimised the seriousness of it."

8 Oct 2020 12:10pm

Mike Pence and Kamala Harris take the stage

Each candidate is now seated and the debate is under way.

The audience is only permitted to make noise to applaud at the beginning and end of the debate.

Each candidate is now on-stage. Source: Getty

8 Oct 2020 11:56am

Taylor Swift endorses Joe Biden for president

AFP:

Pop superstar Taylor Swift on Wednesday threw her support behind Joe Biden for president, telling her 200 million-plus social media orbit that the veteran Democrat will start a "healing process" in America.

The singer-songwriter has lashed out before at President Donald Trump, including in August when she blasted his "ineffective leadership" against the coronavirus pandemic and his efforts to "subvert and destroy" US voting rights.

But her remarks in a magazine article that she posted on Instagram and Twitter was her first formal declaration of support for Biden.

"Everyone deserves a government that takes global health risks seriously and puts the lives of its people first," Swift -- who dropped two number one albums, "Lover" and "Folklore," over an 11-month period from 2019 to 2020 -- said in V Magazine's "Thought Leaders" issue.

"I will proudly vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in this year's presidential election," she added. "Under their leadership, I believe America has a chance to start the healing process it so desperately needs."

The 30-year-old artist quickly received shout outs from Biden and his running mate Harris.

"Taylor — Thanks for your support and for speaking out at this crucial moment in our nation's history," Biden tweeted.

Swift made waves in 2018 when she endorsed Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee and said the voting record of the Republican US Senate candidate, Marsha Blackburn, "appalls and terrifies me."

"I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin colour, gender or who they love," Swift said at the time.

8 Oct 2020 11:53am

Ten minutes to go!

The stage is set!

As you can see, there are glass barriers in place separating the two candidates, and they've been disinfected.

Considering Mr Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis was announced just two days after the presidential debate, no one's taking any chances.

The plexiglass gets a final inspection and polish during preparations for the VP debate. Source: SIPA USA

The debate stage is prepared for the vice presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence. Source: Getty

8 Oct 2020 11:42am

What we can expect from the VP debate?

President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden went head-to-head last week. You won't be forgetting that one in a hurry.

Sparks flew! Zingers zinged! We all stared at the TV motionlessly as the over-the-top screams permeated our brains!

Tonight's debate between Mr Pence and Ms Harris will almost certainly be far more ... well ... civilised. Whether that's construed as good or bad news probably says more about you than anyone else.

It's still an important debate. Bear in mind that Mr Trump, 74, and Mr Biden, 78, are two of the oldest presidential candidates in American history. Mr Trump is currently recovering from COVID-19. If either candidate was to die or become otherwise unable to perform their duties, the Vice President would take the reins.

The debate will take place at the University of Utah. Like with the presidential debate, there will be no handshakes at the start or smiling for the cameras at the end.

Both Mr Pence and Ms Harris have tested negative for COVID-19.

Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief for USA Today, will moderate the debate.

Also, unlike the first presidential debate, these candidates won't know the topics posed to them.

8 Oct 2020 11:33am

Welcome!

Good morning and welcome to SBS News’ rolling coverage of the US vice-presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence.

My name is Gavin Fernando and I’ll be bringing you the most important developments of their discussion.

The debate is set for 10pm Eastern time (12pm AEDT), and will last 90 minutes without commercial breaks.

You can watch the first of three presidential debates LIVE on SBS and SBS News social platforms from 12pm.

Kamala Harris faces off against Mike Pence in highly-anticipated vice presidential debate

With Donald Trump under a coronavirus cloud, and Joe Biden keeping a low profile, it is possibly the most crucial vice presidential debate ever.

'Biden's plan reads a lot like what we're doing'

'The Trump administration minimised the seriousness of the virus'

Mike Pence and Kamala Harris take the stage

Taylor Swift endorses Joe Biden for president

Ten minutes to go!

What we can expect from the VP debate?

Welcome!

previous

2of2

next

Kamala Harris faces off against Mike Pence in highly-anticipated vice presidential debate

With Donald Trump under a coronavirus cloud, and Joe Biden keeping a low profile, it is possibly the most crucial vice presidential debate ever.

'Biden's plan reads a lot like what we're doing'

'The Trump administration minimised the seriousness of the virus'

Mike Pence and Kamala Harris take the stage

Taylor Swift endorses Joe Biden for president

Ten minutes to go!

What we can expect from the VP debate?

Welcome!

previous

2of2

next

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