VP Debate 2020 Displays Civility between Harris and Pence

'Great insult'

The two candidates still scoffed at each other's remarks during the vice presidential debate.

At one point Harris, firmly but with a smile, reproached Pence, telling him: "Mr Vice-President, I'm speaking."

They had one of their most intense clashes about racial justice after nationwide protests over police treatment of African-Americans.

Joe Biden "believes that law enforcement has an implicit bias against minorities", Pence said.

"It's a great insult to the men and women who serve in law enforcement. And I want everyone to know who puts on the uniform of law enforcement every day, President Trump and I stand with you," he said.

Read also: EU Unveils Plan to Tackle Racism as “Moment of Reckoning” Arrives

Pence, criticizing media coverage, insisted that Trump condemned white supremacy despite what some viewers interpreted at the president's shout-out to the far-right Proud Boys group at his debate last week.

Kamala Harris pointed to a slew of previous statements by Trump in her VP debate performance including his notorious remarks that "fine people" were at a 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia that turned violent.

"I will not sit here and be lectured by the vice president on what it means to enforce the laws of our country," Harris said.

"I'm the only one on this stage who has personally prosecuted everything from child sexual assault to homicide."

Two more US presidential debates are scheduled before the US election, but they are now up in the air with Trump's diagnosis.

Read also: Trump Joins List of World Leaders Diagnosed with the Coronavirus

Joe Biden, 77, has said he would not want to debate if the 74-year-old Trump is still sick with the virus.

But Trump, ever the hyperbolic showman, said in a Wednesday video that he felt "perfect" and called his infection "a blessing from God".

Trump appeared to be watching the vice presidential debate avidly, tweeting without using Harris' name that "she is a gaffe machine". 

(Writers: Eric Baradat, Shaun Tandon, Michael Mathes)

Source: http://u.afp.com/3KqU