SALT LAKE CITY — Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris participated in a historic debate from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
USA Today Washington bureau chief Susan Page moderated the debate from Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
See the highlights from Twitter below.
The #VPDebate2020 has come to a close. A debate of great promise was relegated to canned answers from both @VP & @KamalaHarris to ignored questions. Opportunity missed & once again the American people lost. No real winner and no great impact on the #election2020 - @DeseretNews
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 8, 2020
Best question of the night from Springville, Utah 8th grader! The answer to the question should simply be - The key for the country is not to disagree less - the key is to learn to disagree better. #VPDebate2020 @DeseretNews
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 8, 2020
Utah @GovHerbert getting some screen time post VP debate at University of Utah. #utpol pic.twitter.com/kxng8nQ5Gg
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Last question from a Utah student who asks if leaders can't get along, how will citizens? Pence says will work everyday to have gov't as good as our people. Harris says, Biden decided to run after seeing hate in Charlottesville #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@KamalaHarris: 'We will win and we will not let anyone subvert our democracy.' @VP Mike Pence say Dems spent last four years trying to overturn the election #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@KamalaHarris says she 'will not sit here and be lectured' because she was prosecutor, brings up @realDonaldTrump refusing to condemn white supremacists in last debate #utpoll
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@VP Mike Pence refers to his guest at debate who lost hair salon in rioting. Says 'great insult' to law enforcement to talk about systemic racism #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Seems to be a huge disconnect between questions asked at the #VPDebates & answers from @KamalaHarris and @vp - Both candidates are ignoring questions and hitting their "play" on random campaign soundbites. Moderator must demand more American people deserve better! @DeseretNews
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 8, 2020
Both @KamalaHarris & @VP are missing the point on China. 21st century leadership is about standing with allies & understanding the need for alliances -even with competitors. It applies to foreign policy & business. Understanding allies and alliances is crucial art. @DeseretNews
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 8, 2020
View of vice presidential debate from inside the social distancing media tent. #utpol pic.twitter.com/DdatV3PHoQ
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
While @VP Pence and @KamalaHarris go at each other on debate stage, hundreds of demonstrators pack streets near University of Utah. #utpol pic.twitter.com/j9Wi49eBCu
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
On SCOTUS nominee, @VP Mike Pence says hopes doesn't 'see attack on her Christian faith' as seen with other nominees. @KamalaHarris says she and @JoeBiden 'people of faith' and insulting to suggest would #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@SusanPage cuts off a @VP Mike Pence response, reminding him candidates agreed to rules she's trying to enforce #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
The crowd moved halfway up the block. Pretty vile exchange right now. #utpol #vpdebates pic.twitter.com/cx5pSEsl6B
— Amy Donaldson (@adonsports) October 8, 2020
Police want the protesters to move back up behind the barriers near the U do residents can move on sidewalks. #utpol #VPDebates pic.twitter.com/ytpxx7Aik7
— Amy Donaldson (@adonsports) October 8, 2020
Police just asked the crowd to leave the road, intersection. Now people are headed back to the U #utpol #VPDebates pic.twitter.com/jTH4UazK6x
— Amy Donaldson (@adonsports) October 8, 2020
Some are complaining that they can’t hear those wearing masks. #utpol #VPDebates pic.twitter.com/3H6xChfcMR
— Amy Donaldson (@adonsports) October 8, 2020
'China is to blame for the coronavirus,' @VP Mike Pence says, calls @JoeBiden a 'cheerleader' for China, promises to hold China 'accountable' for what did on COVID19 #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
The #VPDebates has been more civil. But civility by having both @VP & @KamalaHarris not answer the questions & the moderator continually moving on is NOT adding value. We need crucial conversations not avoiding conversations. the art of the follow up question. @DeseretNews
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 8, 2020
.@KamalaHarris says @JoeBiden believes in science but @realDonaldTrump doesn't. Calls climate change 'existential threat' #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
On climate change, @VP Mike Pence says no more hurricanes now than 100 years ago but being 'used to sell bill of goods,' the Green New Deal #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
On healthcare, @KamalaHarris warns 'they're coming for you' if have preexisting condition by taking away ACA but @VP Mike Pence says, 'Obamacare is a disaster' #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@KamalaHarris says on Day 1, @JoeBiden will repeal @realDonaldTrump tax cuts that benefit rich and reinvest in infrastructure etc. @VP Mike Pence says Democrats want to raise taxes #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@SusanPage did not disclose topics prior to tonight's debate. Economy up now #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Clear contrast in what reality looks like at #VPDebate2020 Both @VP and @KamalaHarris had good moments and some misses in round 1. 2nd round begins with both NOT answering the question. Question about VP role went back to COVID and personal story. Bad sign - @DeseretNews @utpol
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 8, 2020
.@KamalaHarris says won't take vaccine if @realDonaldTrump says to take it but will if experts do. @VP Mike Pence calls that 'unacceptable' #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@VP Mike Pence says 'honored' to be at Rose Garden event for SCOTUS nominee that's viewed as super spreader event, people tested and held outdoors #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
And there's already tension between @KamalaHarris & @VP Mike Pence at tonight's debate at @UUtah #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@VP Mike Pence says @realDonaldTrump put health of Americans first from Day 1. Asked why death toll higher in U.S. than other countries #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@kamalaharris asked what Biden administration would do differently about virus. She says @realDonaldTrump knew in January what should be done but 'covered it up,' called a hoax #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Something to do during the debate? Bingo cards at the media table. #utpol pic.twitter.com/5rZl5s07kR
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Candidates have taken the stage for the only VP debate this election. First question about COVID-19 #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
'Four more years' chants from protestors just off campus can be heard inside media tent on President's Circle #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Tickets to the VP debate at @UUtah say members of the audience will not hold the Commission on Presidential Debates or the event host liable for any sickness including COVID-19. All had to test negative for entry #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Here's some of @VP Mike Pence's guests at tonights debate:
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Flora Westbrooks, whose hair studio was destroyed in unrest in Minneapolis
Parents of Kayla Mueller
Ann Dorn, widow of retired police officer killed in St Louis violence #utpol
Police in riot gear on scene to separate Black Lives Matter demonstrators and @realDonaldTrump supporters outside VP debate. #utpol pic.twitter.com/tKBx93D2Iz
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
'Hamilton' has nothing on the Commission on Presidential Debates when it comes to tickets, VP debate moderate @SusanPage tells Kingsbury Hall audience #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Candidates have taken the stage for the only VP debate this election. First question about COVID-19 #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
.@GovHerbert tells @VP Mike Pence pool that he feels 'safe,' says, 'they have done everything they needed to do and probably more to make sure there's a safe environment for not just the debate participants but the audience and everyone working here.' #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Police watch protestors outside perimeter of VP debate at University of Utah. #utpol pic.twitter.com/l6j09Hudp3
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Black Lives Matter demonstrators and @realDonaldTrump supporters shout at each other across from University of Utah. #utpol pic.twitter.com/YiuCSdIJnX
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
The American people want to know what these candidates in the #VPDebates are for-everyone knows what you are against. If @VP spends too much time defending and promoting Pres. Trump - he loses. If @KamalaHarris spends too much time attacking Pres. Trump -she loses. @DeseretNews
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 8, 2020
Kingsbury Hall audience being advised that if they take off their masks during the VP debate, their tickets will be cancelled and they'll be escorted by law enforcement off the premises #utpol
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
University of Utah President Ruth Watkins flashes the U. sign before entering Kingsbury Hall for VP debate. #utpol pic.twitter.com/yEUvCqZSZg
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020
Thirty minutes to go tim3 on #VPDebate - @RuthVWatkins Pres. of The host university of Utah with students before entering debate hall. The U gave all their allotted tickets to students! Because the future starts now! @DeseretNews pic.twitter.com/kMiT7Nc0Qd
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 8, 2020
A view of @realDonaldTrump supporters from inside the perimeter of the VP debate venue. #utpol pic.twitter.com/zwhqCsnyyZ
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 7, 2020
Here is the room where it will happen! Tonight’s #VPDebates hoping for some elevated dialogue on principles and policies. @DeseretNews @VP @KamalaHarris stay tuned pic.twitter.com/jNQRACQUDU
— Boyd Matheson (@BoydMatheson) October 7, 2020
University of Utah mascot Swoop doing his best Uncle Sam outside VP debate venue. #utpol pic.twitter.com/exsn5we0q0
— DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) October 8, 2020