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Last Question Of Debate Written By Utah Eighth Grader

Brecklynn Brown

Susan Page of USA Today wrote all the questions she used as moderator for Wednesday’s vice presidential debate, except for the last one. For that question, she read the words of a Utah middle schooler, Brecklynn Brown.

 

“I want to close tonight's debate with the question posed by Brecklynn Brown,” said Page. “She's an eighth grader at Springville Junior High in Springville, Utah. And here's what she wrote:

‘When I watch the news, all I see is arguing between Democrats and Republicans.‘When I watch the news, all I see is citizen fighting against citizen. When I watch the news, all I see are two candidates from opposing parties trying to tear each other down. If our leaders can’t get along, how are the citizens supposed to get along? … your examples could make all the difference to bring us together.’

Vice President Mike Pence advised the Utah student to not believe that everything she sees in the news represents the country as a whole. He encouraged her to look to the relationship of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Justice Antonin Scalia. 

“And here in America, we can disagree we can debate vigorously as Senator Harris and I have on this stage tonight, but when the debate is over, we come together as Americans,” Pence said.

Harris said the reason Vice President Joe Biden decided to run for president is because of what the eighth grader described. She also said young leaders like Brecklynn are why there is hope in our country.

“Brecklynn, when you think about the future, I do believe the future is bright,” Harris said. “And it will be because of your leadership. And it will be because we fight for each person's voice through their vote. And we get engaged in this election.”