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Debate Recap: Reaction from the first vice presidential debate

Posted at 8:50 PM, Oct 07, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-07 23:15:07-04

(WXYZ) — Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential hopeful Kamala Harris face off in their first debate ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

RELATED: WATCH: 2020 vice presidential debate: COVID-19 at forefront as Pence, Harris square off

Following last week's presidential debate, there were talks of additional measures being put in place to ensure that participants don't interrupt one another. At the start of Wednesday's debate it was announced that those measures would not be used.

Follow along as we bring you by-the-minute updates with reactions for this historical debate.

10:24 p.m.
The debate turns towards the topic of transfer of power and President Trump's comments that he might not accept defeat.

Senator Harris uses the question to highlight their bipartisan support, mentioning their support by members of President George W. Bush's administration, and urging people to vote.

Vice President Pence says he believes they will win the election. He goes on to say that Harris and her side spent 3 years trying to overturn the last election.

10:20 p.m.
A fly that landed on Vice President Pence's has blown up on Twitter

10:13 p.m.
On race relations, specifically the Breonna Taylor case. Harris says justice was not done in this case. "Her life was taken, unjustifiable, tragically and violently," Harris said. She also touches on the George Floyd death, which prompted protests across the nation and the world.

Vice President Pence speaks about supporting law enforcement and questions both Biden and Harris' stance on systematic racism.

10:01 p.m.
Pence says Trump reveres those who serve in the armed forces and any claims of slander is absurd, responding to Harris' comment regarding Trump reportedly calling members of the armed forces "suckers" and "losers."

9:50 p.m.
On America's relationship with China: Pence says in regard to the economy, Biden has been a cheerleader for China and lost the trade-war against the country.

When asked about the relationship between American and China, Pence says China is to blame for the coronavirus. Pence says Trump has continued to stand up to China and that the administration will continue to hold them accountable.

9:45 p.m.
Harris says twenty-somethings are wondering if when they get out of college, will there be a job for them. She says people are struggling to pay for housing, and it's because of the failure of the Trump Administration.

9:38 p.m.
On climate change, Pence says that he's proud of his administration's record on conservation and the environment.

Forest management has got to be front and center, Pence says that's something he and Trump certainly agree on. But say that hurricane and wildfires are happening at a frequency that has been going on for years.

9:32 p.m.
Pence says that Biden will raise taxes immediately when entering office. He also says the Biden administration wants to bury the economy under a Green New Deal.

Harris responded saying that Biden's campaign will not raise taxes on those who make less than 400,000 a year. "He has been very clear on that," she said.

9:25 p.m.
Harris agreed with the moderator's question that Americans have a right to transparency when it comes to elected officials. Harris says transparency is needed across the board, noting Trump's tax filing and even information surrounding his latest stint at Walter Reed for treatment of the virus.

9:18 p.m.
Kamala Harris says she'd be the first to take a vaccine at the advice of medical professionals, but not if the vaccine is suggested by President Trump.

9:15 p.m.
Moderator asks Pence about the recent outbreak of positive virus cases out of the White House, following a recent Rose Garden.

9:06 p.m.
The first question posed by moderator Susan Page of USA Today is in relation to the pandemic. Page asks what a Biden Administration would do differently than what the Trump administration has done.

Harris responds calling the Trump Administration's COVID-19 response the greatest failure our country has seen. She pointed to the administration knowing early on details regarding the pandemic, but did not relay that information to the public.

Harris says Biden Administration will have a national contact tracing strategy in place to respond to the growing pandemic.

Pence responding saying that from the first day, President Trump put American's health first by suspending travel to China. He says that Biden was against the China travel ban. Pence even accuses Biden's administration of plagiarism when it comes to the Trump admins COVID-19 response plan.