5 questions as Pence and Harris prepare for debate faceoff

Vice President Mike Pence and Democrat Kamala Harris meet on debate st for first and only time Wednesday night in Utah.

Some key questions heing into debate:

HOW MUCH DOES THIS DEBATE MATTER?

Vice presidential debates rarely move needle in significant ways during a presidential election. But with President Donald Trump recovering from coronavirus and his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, trying to become oldest president in U.S. history, stakes are higher this time.

While it's uncomfortable to say out loud, re is a possibility that Pence or Harris might be required to step into presidency before end of next term. That injects greater scrutiny into prime-time affair for both candidates.

Pence and Harris have long been overshowed by ir principals. This is ir time to shine.

WILL IT BE SAFE?

Less than two weeks ago, an unmasked Pence attended w infamous White House Rose Garden ceremony that is widely suspected to be “superspreer” event that infected at least eight attendees, including Trump himself.

A case could be me that Pence should be in quarantine, t at a University of Utah debate hall.

Ackwledging health concerns, organizers agreed to separate candidates, who will t be required to wear masks, with a plexiglass shield. candidates and moderator will all be seated exactly 12.25 feet (3.7 meters) away from one ar. handshakes or physical greetings are allowed.

Organizers report that a “small number” of ticketed guests will be inside hall. Anyone who refuses to wear a mask besides candidates and moderator will be removed.

We usually focus on political risks, but re are legitimate physical risks at play.

HOW WILL PENCE DEFEND WHITE HOUSE'S HANDLING OF PANDEMIC?

Pence, chair of president's coronavirus task force, has some tough questions to answer.

More than 210,000 Americans are de. White House is a hot zone. And still, Trump ministration does t have a comprehensive national strategy to contain pandemic.

It's fair to assume that White House's standard talking point about blocking travel from China early on won't get Pence out of trouble on this one. truth is, under Trump and Pence's watch, more people have died from virus in America than in any or country.

Pence will also be forced to answer for Trump's repeated attempts to downplay threat of virus and to discour basic safety precautions like mask us — a pattern that continued even after president was released from hospital on Monday.

Pence is far more polished than Trump in some ways, having spent last 20 years in elected office. He will need every bit of that experience to talk himself out of this one.

HARRIS IS MAKING HISTORY. WILL IT ENERGIZE DEMOCRATS?

It’s secret that Biden has struggled to excite some Democrats behind his candidacy. Harris could help on that front as she reminds America that she could make history as first Black woman to serve as vice president. Her appearance on debate st alone is historic.

Look for Harris to have a moment Wednesday night, likely scripted, to help highlight her unique place in history. She did so effectively in Democratic primary debates when she pointed to her personal experience with school busing — an experience she used, of course, to attack Biden.

Democrats are still working aggressively to encour low-propensity voters, especially Black and younger people, to show up for Biden. Harris has perhaps her biggest and best opportunity to help dress those concerns Wednesday night.

WILL EIR CANDIDATE TAKE GLOVES OFF?

first rule for any running mate is to do harm to ticket. That typically puts a lot of pressure on vice presidential candidates to stick to cautious talking points.

But se are t typical times.

Pence has shown over last four years that he has little interest in doing anything or than praising president. But Harris, a former prosecutor, has demonstrated an ability and willingness to bring fire when she wants to.

California senator is uniquely positioned to attack Pence on Trump ministration's handling of racial divisions, women's issues, coronavirus and president's Supreme Court minees.

Given how muted she's been on campaign trail since joining ticket, question is how aggressive Biden's team will allow her to be.

This story has t been edited by www.republicworld.com and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.