Ep 143. Pence vs Harris: The Vice Presidential Debate - A Special Edition of 20/20

On October 7, 2020, Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris faced off in the only vice presidential debate of the 2020 election season. In this special edition of ABC News' 20/20, viewers were given an in-depth look at the candidates and their policies, as well as their performance during the debate.

Hosted by George Stephanopoulos, the program began with a segment discussing the significance of the vice presidential debate. Correspondent Jon Karl explained that while the debate may not have as much of an impact on the election as the presidential debates, it is still an important opportunity for voters to get to know the vice presidential candidates and their positions on key issues.

From there, the program delved into each candidate's background and political experience. Viewers learned about Mike Pence's tenure as governor of Indiana and his time in Congress, as well as his role as vice president under Donald Trump. Kamala Harris's career as a prosecutor, attorney general of California, and senator representing California were also highlighted.

Throughout the program, journalists and political experts offered their analysis of the candidates' policies and platforms. Topics covered included healthcare, the economy, race relations, and climate change. Viewers were given an overview of where each candidate stood on these issues and how they had addressed them in the past.

Of course, the centerpiece of the program was the debate itself. Clips were shown of both Pence and Harris answering questions on a range of topics, from the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic to the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett. Stephanopoulos and other panelists offered commentary on each candidate's performance, pointing out strengths and weaknesses.

One particularly notable aspect of the debate was the number of interruptions and instances of candidates talking over one another. 20/20 explored this issue, asking if the debate was productive and effective with so much interrupting or if it hindered viewers' ability to hear the candidates' positions.

Overall, the ABC News Specials season 1 episode 143 - Pence vs Harris: The Vice Presidential Debate - A Special Edition of 20/20 was a thorough and thoughtful look at the candidates and the debate itself. It provided viewers with a context for understanding the significance of the debate and the issues at stake in the election. Fans of political analysis and election coverage would find this show interesting and informative.