'Policy Debate Without Blame' US Vice President Debate... Clash Over COVID-19 and US-China Conflict

Unlike Presidential Candidate TV Debates, Proceeded Without Profanity or Interruptions
Intense Discussions on COVID-19, Climate Change, China Policy
Pence "Biden Is China's Cheerleader" Harris "Greatest Failure in History"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States, and Kamala Harris, Senator, clashed in the vice presidential candidate TV debate on the 7th (local time).

In this TV debate held for 90 minutes from 9 p.m. in Salt Lake City, Utah, the two candidates fiercely contested major issues such as the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), trade, climate change, and relations with China.

The two candidates refrained from actions that viewers criticized in the presidential candidate TV debates, such as harsh language and interruptions, and maintained a tense debate throughout.

Vice President Mike Pence is speaking at the debate.
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Rather than their own positions, the two represented the stances of President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and confronted each other.

Regarding the first topic, COVID-19 response, Harris, who obtained the first speaking opportunity, emphasized that "the American people have witnessed the greatest failure among all administrations in our country's history," stating that too many sacrifices have been made and that the Trump administration is still not prepared to wage the war against COVID-19.

Vice President Pence responded based on his experience in handling COVID-19. Pence countered, saying, "President Trump prioritized the health of the American people," emphasizing that Trump blocked entry from China. He also launched a counterattack, highlighting that Biden opposed Trump's decision to restrict flights from China, calling it 'xenophobia.'

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, which the Trump administration is rapidly developing, Harris stated that she would take the vaccine if scientists support it but would not take it if President Trump told her to. In response, Vice President Pence pointed out, "Undermining trust in the vaccine is unacceptable. It is unethical." Pence also demanded, "Stop politicizing people's lives."

Harris: "Trump lost the trade war" VS Pence: "Biden is a cheerleader for China"

The two also stood firm against each other regarding the relationship between the U.S. and China. Harris said, "You lost the trade war. What happened in the end was the loss of 300,000 manufacturing jobs," pointing out that more farms went bankrupt and manufacturing jobs decreased.

In response, Vice President Pence retorted, "Lost the trade war with China?" and countered, "Biden never fought. For decades, Biden has been a cheerleader for the Chinese Communist Party."

Regarding climate change, Vice President Pence pressed Harris. Pence launched an offensive by repeatedly highlighting Biden's Green New Deal policy.

Biden's 'Green New Deal' is a pledge to invest $2 trillion over four years in clean energy and infrastructure to create over one million jobs if elected.

However, in the previous TV debate, when President Trump attacked that the Green New Deal would cost $100 trillion, Biden responded, "The Green New Deal is not my plan," causing controversy.

Vice President Pence warned, "Climate alarmists will try to sell the Green New Deal by using natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires." He argued that Biden and Harris's Green New Deal prioritizes environmental policies pushed by radical leftists over jobs.

Kamala Harris, Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate, Speaking [Photo by AP News]

Harris criticized the Trump administration for not listening to scientists and facing the climate change crisis and COVID-19 situation. She recalled President Trump's remark during his inspection of the California wildfire damage site, saying, "Maybe scientists don't really know (about climate change)."

After the debate, the two candidates are raising each other's hands in greeting.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Fierce Debate Instead of Harsh Words... Restraint on Personal Attacks

The debate was conducted relatively smoothly compared to the presidential candidate debates. The two focused on making their arguments known rather than excessive attacks on each other, seemingly to prove their capability to assume power in case of presidential incapacity. Although Vice President Pence was partially restrained by the moderator for trying to speak more than his allotted time, the debate proceeded amicably. The two faced each other during the debate, and Harris smiled several times.

After the tense 90-minute debate ended, the two candidates stood with their spouses and shook hands. This contrasted with the scenes of President Trump and Biden, who tried to avoid eye contact.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.