Debate of the deputies becomes most important in decades

The US President’s isolation has thrust attention towards Mike Pence, who debates Democratic VP contender Kamala Harris within days.

US Vice-President Mike Pence and Donald Trump during a daily briefing on Covid-19 at the White House earlier this year. Picture: AFP

Mike Pence and Kamala Harris have both tested negative for coronavirus, clearing the way for what may now be the most important vice-presidential debate of modern times.

Mr Pence, 61, is to face Ms Harris, 55, Joe Biden’s running-mate, in Utah on Wednesday US time (Thursday AEST) amid concern about President Donald Trump’s health and questions over whether the two remaining presidential debates will go ahead.

The showdown is one of few near-certain set-piece events left in a campaign thrown into tumult yesterday, and the US Vice-President may find himself bearing the brunt of his party’s campaigning efforts as the November 3 election draws closer.

Mr Pence’s spokesman announced his latest negative test result. “As has been routine for months, Vice-President Pence is tested for Covid-19 every day . . . Vice-President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery.”

Katie Miller, Mr Pence’s communications director, contracted coronavirus in May during an earlier bout of cases at the White House.

The US President’s isolation will thrust attention towards Mr Pence, a former governor of Indiana selected by Mr Trump to be his running-mate in 2016 for his conservative record.

If Mr Trump were to become incapacitated, Mr Pence would become acting president under the 25th amendment to the US constitution. The power was used by Ronald Reagan and twice by George W Bush while they were undergoing minor medical procedures.

Mr Pence’s performance against Tim Kaine in 2016’s vice-presidential debate was well reviewed and polls on the night declared him the winner. However, the audience of 36 million was less than half the 84 million who had tuned in for the first debate between Mr Trump and Hillary Clinton.

The performance of Ms Harris, who tested negative for coronavirus in a routine check, was expected to be closely watched for signs of a possible future president. Mr Biden would be 78 on inauguration day, becoming the oldest person to hold the presidency. Few expect him to serve more than one term should he win, putting Mrs Harris in pole position for a run in 2024.

During the Democratic primary debates last year Ms Harris was a combative debater. Her attacks on Mr Biden over race relations in the first encounter briefly catapulted her to the top of the polls. She may find herself having to walk a difficult line between sympathising with a sick president and criticising his record in office.

Mr Pence, a former talk radio host and devout Christian, has been loyal to Mr Trump. In February the vice-president was put in charge of the White House’s coronavirus task force. He was praised by some state governors for a serious approach to the crisis but criticised for at times joining the president’s efforts to downplay the pandemic.

The Times