Currents News Staff
It was the vice presidential candidates turn to take the stage for a debate — the first and only one between the two. Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris took extra social distancing precautions Wednesday night. They were mostly polite, but still critical of the other’s policies.
“Well, the American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country,” Harris said.
Right from the start of the debate questions on COVID-19 arose. The national issue was further highlighted by the plexiglass partition on the debate stage. Vice President Mike Pence responded to Senator Kamala Harris by echoing President Donald Trump’s narrative of success.
“He suspended all travel from China,” Pence said, “that decision alone by President Trump bought us invaluable time.”
Another issue that was discussed — one that’s important to Catholics — was the Right to Life.
“I couldn’t be more proud to serve as vice president to a president who stands without apology for the sanctity of human life. I’m pro-life,” said Pence. “I don’t apologize for it.”
“I will always fight for a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body,” said Harris. “It should be her decision, and not that of President Trump’s or Vice President Michael Pence.”
The candidates also made clear their differences when it comes to the environment. While during the presidential debate, Joe Biden said he doesn’t support the Green New Deal, his campaign website calls it crucial for meeting the climate challenges we face. The Trump/Pence ticket is clearly against it.
“We’ve made great progress reducing CO2 emissions, through American innovations and developing natural gas through fracking,” Pence said. “We don’t need a massive two-trillion dollar Green New Deal that would impose all new mandates on American businesses and American families.”
And while Harris called for banning fracking as a presidential candidate, the Biden climate plan doesn’t take that stance.
“Joe Biden will not ban fracking,” Harris said. “That is a fact. That is a fact. I will repeat that Joe Biden has been very clear that he is thinking about growing jobs. And part of those jobs that will be created by Joe Biden are going to be about clean energy and renewable energy.”