In last night’s debate, Kamala Harris attacked early and kept it up through the 90 minute exchange. She did it elegantly, firmly and with a smile for good measure.
The most consistent feature in Pence’s performance was his long windedness, repeatedly going over his time limit, causing the very polite lady moderator to keep insisting, ‘Please Mr Vice President, please,’ which Pence kept ignoring as if entitled to it, no doubt making sure that the audience knew that he would copy Mr Trump’s style, regardless of propriety.
It reminded me of the time Pence paid a visit to the Mayo Clinic some months ago. While escorted by a group of doctors who all wore masks, he chose not to.
Something about the Trump Pence administration and science. Oil and water.
‘Biden is raising your taxes!’ said Pence last night, as if he had found the magic words to bury his rival.
Harris calmly replied, looking straight into the camera, ‘Biden is raising taxes on people earning over 400 thousand.’
Pence again, ‘Biden is raising your taxes!’
‘Biden is raising taxes on people earning over 400 thousand.’ repeated Harris, unruffled.
In response to a question about fighting systemic racism in America, Harris gives a clear answer. Yes, the Biden administration was making it a high priority.
Pence replies, ‘There’s no systemic racism in the country…’
No systemic racism? Which country are you living in Mr Pence?
Harris was steady, confident, purposeful. The democratic side may not have all the answers but they are willing to work with the opposition to find them.
That is not what the Trump Pence administration has done and is the reason they have botched their chance at making a difference.
Harris had many salient moments, one of which was when she proudly defended the Obamacare health program’s coverage of people with preexisting conditions. Trump Pence have fought the program during their entire term, while offering nothing better in its place. But whatever they came up with, people with preexisting conditions would lose out.
So Harris made her point. ‘People with preexisting conditions? That is you (the viewer) they’re coming after, yes, you,’ she said with verve.
Whatever Pence said in reply was unforgettable except for his going over his speaking limit, finally prompting the very kind moderator to say, ‘Please Mr Vice President, we have agreed to rules to be able to hold this debate,’ or something to that effect.
Surely Trump was proud of him.
And so it is, folks. Twenty six days left before election day. One hundred and four till Biden Harris are inaugurated.
We’re making it happen. You and me. And if you can, watch the debates. It’s not the same to read about it. Writers have filters of their own. Please vote. And God bless America.
Oscar Valdes
Oscarvaldes.net
Oscar Valdes 