What Went Down During The Vice Presidential Debate

Well, I was right that the volume would be lower than last time. But even though the responses were delivered more quietly, some of the fundamentals were kind of the same. Harris and Pence both dodged a lot of questions, accused each other of lying, and a lot of questionable things about policy were said, albeit in a more civil way. I’m especially struck by Pence’s refusal to commit to to a peaceful transfer of power. That was … noteworthy.

My headline is too long.

This was a pretty standard fare debate, which this year is kind of comforting. All of the expected shots were fired, and there were a few attempts to get some zingers in (but they were so forgettable I literally can’t recall any already). I can’t image this is going to sway anybody, but it’s the veep debate — it never does. I just enjoyed having a dose of civility and remembering what politics can look like.