With three simple words and a withering look, US Senator Kamala Harris seized one of the most memorable moments of the Vice Presidential debate against rival Mike Pence.
The pair faced off for the first debate between the Republican and Democrat running mates on Thursday (AEDT), shielded by plexiglass and with a new moderator running the show.
Senator Harris had been trying to reply to Mr Pence’s claim that an administration led by Joe Biden would increase taxes on Americans when the Republican interrupted her.
Senator Harris denied Mr Biden would raise taxes on those making less than $US400,000 a year.
"We saw enough of it in last week's debate, but I think this is supposed to be a debate based on fact and truth and the truth is that Joe Biden has been very clear, he will not raise taxes on anybody who makes less than $400,000 a year," Senator Harris said.
That’s when Mr Pence interjected, before Senator Harris cut him off.
"Mr Vice President, I'm speaking," Senator Harris said, nodding and smiling. “I’m speaking.”
Mr Pence replied: "You said the truth? Joe Biden said twice in the debate last week that he is going to repeal the Trump tax cuts. That was tax cuts that gave the average working family $2000 in a tax break every single year."
"That is absolutely not true," she replied. "If you don't mind letting me finish, we can then have a conversation, OK? OK."
The moment was seized on by Americans watching from home.
US political commentators said the debate featured a bit of “mansplaining”.
It was not the first moment in the debate for interruptions.
A CBS News analysis of the debate found Mr Pence interrupted Senator Harris twice as much as she did him — Mr Pence interrupted Senator Harris 10 times, while she interrupted her Republican rival five times.
The analysis also showed Mr Pence spoke for 38 minutes compared with Senator Harris's 35 minutes of speaking time.
CNN analysis found speaking time during the debate was more evenly carved-up, with Mr Pence speaking for 36 minutes and 27 seconds versus 36 minutes and 24 seconds for Senator Harris.
In an instance not lost on Australians familiar with former prime minister Julia Gillard’s famous misogyny speech, Senator Harris hit back at Mr Pence speaking about law and order.
“I will not be lectured by the Vice President on our record of what we have done in terms of law enforcement.”
The US Presidential debate last Wednesday was heavily criticised when it was derailed by a cacophony of interruptions by Donald Trump, forcing Mr Biden to issue a blunt retort several times, including the now infamous line, ‘Will you shut up man?”.
Mr Pence and Senator Harris engaged in a strikingly more civil debate than the nasty presidential face-off just a week ago.
The name-calling, interruptions and attacks that marked the debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, prompted outrage and disgust in the United States and abroad.
Just a week later, Mr Pence spoke directly to 55-year-old Ms Harris and praised her for being the first woman of colour on a major party presidential ticket.
"I also want to congratulate you, as I did on that phone call, on the historic nature of your nomination," said Mr Pence.
A smiling and nodding Ms Harris, who was born in California to a Jamaican father and Indian mother, courteously accepted his words with a "Thank you".
With AFP.
