What I Learned at the Pence-Harris Debate

In the ultra-divisive year of 2020, when relationships get broken up over politics and anger is the emotion of the day, last night’s spectacle of respect was a highlight of the year.

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David Suissa

October 8, 2020

Photos by Alex Wong/Getty Images

I watched the Pence-Harris debate last night in a state of virtual shock. After the embarrassing foodfight we saw last week between Trump and Biden, I guess I had forgotten about the power of civility.

We often associate shouting and bullying with strength. The debate last night showed the opposite. There were none of the personal insults, rude remarks, or attempts to bully we saw in the Trump-Biden slugfest.

Instead, both debaters made their points firmly but politely. Yes, there were interruptions, abuse of time limits, sharp attacks, and so on—but no one lost their cool. No one got angry. It’s precisely because they kept their tempers in check that they projected strength.

In the ultra-divisive year of 2020, when relationships get broken up over politics and anger is the emotion of the day, last night’s spectacle of respect was a highlight of the year.

If America lost last week in the Trump-Biden debate, America won last night in the Pence-Harris debate.