The Vice Presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris on Wednesday night went off with far fewer explosive outbursts than the one that took place a week earlier between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. However, Mr. Pence still managed to channel his President’s penchant for interruptions and repeatedly spoke over Senator Harris. Among the issues discussed were the Trump administration’s failures on the coronavirus. Also discussed was the industry of fracking – the practice of hydraulic fracturing which is an invasive method of oil and gas extraction. Pence accused Harris of wanting to ban the practice and Harris responded saying Biden would not ban it. Video surfaced of Harris claiming she was for the banning of fracking when she ran for President in the Democratic primary. Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez jumped in on social media during the debate to remind both Pence and Harris that “fracking is bad actually.” 

Harris and Pence also clashed on the Supreme Court vacancy, abortion rights, healthcare, and racial justice. Harris took Pence to task on several of those issues as well as for wanting to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Mr. Pence proclaimed he was against the right to an abortion. A majority of Americans believe in the right to an abortion. Debate moderator Susan Page asked Mr. Pence if he would support a peaceful transition of power if the Trump ticket lost in November and he refused to answer. In fact checking the Wednesday night debate, the New York Times found that Mr. Pence spewed the most lies of the night and a new poll showed 6 out of 10 Americans agreeing that Harris won the debate. Arguably the biggest star of the night was a fly that landed on Pence’s head, clearly visible against the Vice President’s white hair. The fly remained on his head for more than 2 minutes with Pence seeming not to notice, and has generated so much buzz on social media that some hope it has a starring role in this weekend’s Saturday Night Live. Also garnering attention for the wrong reasons was Karen Pence, the Vice President’s wife, who joined him at the end of the debate on stage without a mask. The only 3 people exempted from wearing masks at the debate were the two participants and the moderator. 

Meanwhile President Donald Trump who remains at the White House after being treated for the coronavirus