Only Two Issues at the Harris Pence Debate

I watched the debate with Monika and Michal last night on PBS. Of course one could focus on any number of things that happened at the debate such as:

• Kamala Harris repeatedly saying, "excuse me Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking."
• Harris' refusal to comment on court packing.
• Pence's refusal to say he would like Amy Coney Barrett to join the Supreme Court so she can vote to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
• The fact that both candidates, multiple times, answered imaginary questions rather than the ones that the moderator, Susan Page, actually asked.
• The general quiet and calm demeanor of the debate that contrasted with Donald Trump's attempt to imitate a volcano at the first presidential debate.
  

However, the meme of the debate was clearly the fly that stayed on Mike Pence's hair for two minutes. And the only issue that people really care about is how the Trump administration has responded to coronavirus. These were the only two things that really mattered about the debate.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump decided he would like to talk about anything other than last night's debate. According to the New York Times:

President Trump attacked two cabinet members who are closest to him, insisted he wouldn’t take part in a virtual debate against his Democratic challenger and revisited the events of the 2016 campaign in a meandering, hourlong telephone interview on Fox Business on Thursday.

Mr. Trump also referred to the Democratic vice-presidential nominee as a “monster,” called the director of the F.B.I. “disappointing,” posited that he might have contracted the coronavirus from a member of a military family, maintained that he is almost off medical treatments for the virus and complained about not being allowed to hold rallies while he remains in quarantine.

“I don’t think I’m contagious at all,” Mr. Trump said, without citing evidence. Of his treatments, he insisted, “I think I’m taking almost nothing.” His doctor has not said how long he will remain on steroids.

Mr. Trump’s interview effectively wiped out attention being paid to the vice-presidential debate the night before, which Trump allies felt had gone well for Vice President Mike Pence.