US Democratic vice presidential nominee and Senator from California, Kamala Harris
Credit: AFP
‘Civil and conventional’
For 90 minutes, US politics had been transported back to 2012.
“It was civil. It was conventional. It was not especially scintillating or revealing,” said Shane Goldmacher of the New York Times.
Some Democrats had predicted Mr Pence would meet a quick demise, but the vice president proved himself yet again as the calm moderator, whose main skill is often containing a more explosive president.
Ms Harris came prepared with plenty of ammunition. She landed strong blows, but Mr Pence proved more elusive than expected.
Both sides have claimed a win, depending on the poll one chooses to observe.
More Americans said Ms Harris succeeded in the debate than Mr Pence, according to a CNN snap poll. A total of six in ten said Mr Harris claimed victory, whilst 38 per cent believed Mr Pence had a stronger performance.
In contrast, a Drudge flash poll shows Vice President Mike Pence as the winner, leading with 69 per cent of the public’s support.
Who won the debate?
‘Mansplainer in Chief’
Although papers have conceded Mr Pence proved masterful tactics, most too have drawn attention to the more Trump-esque parts of his performance.
By CBS News’ count, Mr Pence interrupted Ms Harris 10 times. Ms Harris meanwhile interrupted Mr Pence half of this total.
"Mr Vice-President, I’m speaking," Ms Harris said during the debate. "If you don’t mind letting me finish, then we can have a conversation."
Take an early look at the front page of The Wall Street Journal https://t.co/5IsMiS8zvr pic.twitter.com/uFlhpunLoO
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 8, 2020
“Mike the Mansplainer in Chief, constantly talking over Harris and the moderator,” responded CNN host Van Jones.
Other American media outlets largely agreed, drawing attention to the potential impact on suburban female voters.
“Women of all political persuasions can relate to being spoken over and dismissed,” the New York Times said.
Given that women are increasingly turning against the Trump administration, this was a risky move by Mr Pence, and the polls reflected its impact.
According to CNN, there was a stark gap in the results, with 69 per cent of women saying Ms Harris did best in the debate, compared to 48 per cent of men.
‘Pandemic shapes all aspects’
A sentiment echoed by the vast majority of American newspapers on Thursday was the far reaching impact of the coronavirus.
“Pandemic shapes all aspects of debate”, the front page of the Washington Post said.
Early look at the front page, above-the-fold main section of the #WashingtonPost newspaper for October 8, 2020.#Debates2020 #VPDebate#VOTE pic.twitter.com/HP2CvMAydz
— Dan Meyer (@MeyersMusings) October 8, 2020
“Virus Takes Center Stage as Pence and Harris Skirmish in Debate”, said the New York Times.
Ms Harris opened the debate with a swift attack: “The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.”
The Democratic nominee’s debate strategy was largely be summed up as "Covid, Covid, and more Covid".
American commentators did not underestimate the power of this attack.
The coronavirus “is perhaps a defining issue in influencing voter perceptions and the area in which the Administration is most vulnerable,” Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told CNN.
Pence, Harris spar over response to virus
Thursday's @HoustonChron front page
More coverage at https://t.co/kNCSbQHjtg pic.twitter.com/QiQhpauP4k
— Becca Guajardo (@b3_cc4) October 8, 2020
Fly steals the show
Mr Pence defended any attacks on the Trump’s administration, and often did so well, telling Americans the victims were "in our hearts and in our prayers".
Yet much of the focus from US media was distracted — as was the audience when a fly landed on the vice president’s head during the debate.
“Fly lands on Pence’s head, steals the show during VP debate,” said the New York post.
The fly managed to take up residence on Mr Pence’s head for a total of two minutes and nine seconds, according to the newspaper.
“LET THE FLY SPEAK!” tweeted CNN reporter Omar Jimenez.
“Pence just got absolutely dominated by this fly,” wrote Barstool Sports.
BREAKING: The fly that landed on Mike Pence’s head has tested positive for coronavirus. #VPDebate
— Travis Allen 🇺🇸 (@TravisAllen02) October 8, 2020
Pitch in $5 to help this campaign fly. https://t.co/CqHAId0j8t pic.twitter.com/NbkPl0a8HV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 8, 2020
Presidential aspirations
On the mind of many commentators was the long-term implications of the debate.
Mr Pence is expected to take his shot at the top job in 2024, whilst Ms Harris is thought to be most likely to follow Mr Biden in either 2024 or 2028, depending on if he seeks a second term.
“It is easy to imagine her being president one day,” said Julian Zelizer, a CNN political analyst.
“Sen. Kamala Harris made history tonight as a Black woman. After 90 minutes of debate, no one is saying she could not serve as President of the United States,” added CNN host Van Jones.
‘Clash didn’t move the needle’
Ms Harris undoubtedly made history as the first woman of colour to appear on a presidential or vice-presidential general election debate stage.
But the immediate impact on the impending election is less certain.
An unusual amount of those heading to the polls on November 3 have already made their decision one way or another, and vice presidential debates are never considered to be game changers.
Pence, Harris spar over response to virus
Thursday's @HoustonChron front page
More coverage at https://t.co/kNCSbQHjtg pic.twitter.com/QiQhpauP4k
— Becca Guajardo (@b3_cc4) October 8, 2020
The resounding conclusion from the majority of US media outlets was that both sides had made sound points, both went on the attack and both averted less appealing points.
“I’m not sure either side made up any real ground,” Matt Mackowiak, a longtime Republican strategist, told the New York Post.
The Houston Chronicle added: “Clash didn’t move needle, but they both acted like grown-ups.”
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