What Went Down During The Vice Presidential Debate

Page asks about whether voters have a right to know about presidential and candidate health. Historically, transparency about presidential health has been a bit tricky. This includes the extent of Woodrow Wilson’s stroke, JFK’s Addison’s disease and the drugs he took for it. It also includes FDR’s ill health going into his fourth term, which he died a few months into.

Some general thoughts about this veep debate. One is that Pence and Harris both reflect and resemble their parties’ bases better than the presidential candidates do. Pence represents the religious conservative constituency of the GOP and has a background in conservative media. Meanwhile, Harris represents the response to questions about Biden being the standard-bearer for a party that is heavily reliant on votes from women and racial minorities.

Per our survey with Ipsos, the economy was the top issue for respondents who are more likely to vote for Trump than Biden: 40 percent selected it, compared to only 9 percent of Biden supporters. COVID-19 is named much less frequently by Trump supporters: Just 17 percent said it was the most important issue facing the country. Violent crime follows in third place, and the Supreme Court is fourth, with 8 percent.