5 things to watch in first vice presidential debate tonight between Pence, Harris

Vice presidential debates are rarely as thrilling as the showdowns between the two people running for commander-in-chief.

But Wednesday’s faceoff between Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence in Salt Lake City, Utah, is taking on heightened importance.

With 74-year old President Trump and 77-year old Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden being the oldest standard bearers ever to lead the Democratic and Republican national party tickets, the vice presidential debate was already consequential – with both running mates seen as presidents in waiting.

But with Trump in isolation at the White House -- after spending three days hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after being diagnosed with COVID-19 -- the debate has surged even further in importance.

“The odds are unfortunately mathematically in favor of one of these two becoming the next president within the next four years,” noted longtime Republican strategist Colin Reed, a veteran of multiple GOP presidential and Senate campaigns.

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