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US-VOTE-DEBATE-FLY
Fly creates buzz at VP debate — and online
SALT LAKE CITY, United States, Oct 8, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Oh to be a fly on
the wall — or in the hair — at Wednesday’s US vice presidential debate.
Mike Pence received an unwelcome visitor during his showdown with Democrat
Kamala Harris when a large fly perched on the vice president’s white hair for
two minutes, triggering an avalanche of online commentary.
Pence was discussing the somber issue of racial injustice and police
reform when the winged interloper outmaneuvered the plexiglass barriers
installed to prevent the spread of coronavirus and landed on the man who is
just a heartbeat away from the US presidency.
And there it stayed. For. Two. Agonizing. Minutes.
A split television screen showed Harris looking at Pence while the fly
basked in the spotlight, but it was not immediately clear if she saw it.
Everyone else apparently did.
Social media, perhaps in a collective lull given that the evening was far
more civil than the chaotic opening clash between President Donald Trump and
challenger Joe Biden last week, immediately pronounced the fly the winner of
the debate.
“Ok, this is seriously important debate, but no one is gonna remember
anything but that fly,” tweeted a user named Sykersomatic.
“That fly was in Pence’s hair a long time. It should quarantine,” former
Missouri secretary of state Jason Kander added, seemingly alluding to the
rampant spread of the coronavirus through the White House’s ranks.
Others suggested the critter check into Walter Reed, the military medical
center just outside Washington where Trump spend three nights receiving
treatment for Covid-19.
As the online banter snowballed, a new Twitter account, @MikePenceFly___,
quickly racked up some 60,000 followers.
Even Biden himself got in on the action, fundraising off the insect drama.
“Pitch in $5 to help this campaign fly,” the Democratic nominee tweeted.
And on cue, the Joe Biden campaign store kicked into gear to offer a “Truth
Over Flies Fly Swatter,” for $10.
BSS/AFP/RY/10:20hrs