Battle of the VPs: War and Disaster Steal the Spotlight from Vance-Walz Debate

The recent Vice Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, hosted by USA TODAY journalist Susan Page, took place amidst the backdrop of a nation grappling with a pandemic, social unrest, and natural disasters. The Vance-Walz debate, held in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 7, 2020, was intended to offer American voters a clear insight into the policies, values, and visions of the two running-mates. However, as the world faced unprecedented challenges in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires raging across the West Coast, and the looming threat of international conflicts, the issues discussed during the debate often seemed to pale in comparison to the pressing concerns weighing on the minds of the American people. Harris and Pence engaged in a heated debate covering a wide range of topics, including the handling of the pandemic, the economy, healthcare, racial injustice, climate change, and foreign policy. Pence, as the incumbent Vice President and representative of the Trump administration, defended the administration’s response to the pandemic while Harris criticized what she viewed as a failure of leadership. The candidates also sparred over issues such as the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, the economy, and their respective visions for America’s future. Throughout the debate, the candidates presented starkly different perspectives on how to address the challenges facing the nation. Pence touted the achievements of the administration, highlighting the pre-pandemic economic growth and promising a swift recovery, while Harris focused on the need for a change in leadership to address systemic issues such as racial inequality and healthcare disparities. Despite the candidates’ passionate arguments and efforts to articulate their positions on various policy matters, it was evident that the debate was taking place in an exceptional and highly charged political climate. The widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had claimed the lives of over 200,000 Americans by the time of the debate, cast a long shadow over the proceedings. The stark reality of the economic recession, social unrest stemming from racial injustice, and the devastating wildfires that were ravaging communities across the West Coast further underscored the urgent need for decisive action and leadership. As the night progressed, it became clear that the Vance-Walz debate, though significant in the context of the election season, was being overshadowed by the broader context of national and global crises. The American people, grappling with the profound challenges of a public health crisis, economic uncertainty, social division, and environmental disasters, were looking for reassurance, guidance, and solutions from their leaders. In the aftermath of the debate, as the nation continued to grapple with the multifaceted crises confronting it, the focus shifted from the clash of Vice Presidential candidates to the urgent imperatives of addressing immediate needs, fostering unity amidst division, and charting a path forward towards recovery and renewal. The Vance-Walz debate, while a crucial moment in the electoral process, served as a reminder of the profound responsibilities and challenges facing those seeking to lead the nation in turbulent times.