'You’re entitled to your own opinion, you’re not entitled to your own facts': Pence's Moynihan quote amuses Harris
Although Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris did not appreciate being interrupted by incumbent Vice President Mike Pence during the one and only face-off between them on Wednesday, October 7, before the 2020 election, she did enjoy a moment or two when the latter dropped an old line from former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY).
"You’re entitled to your own opinion, you’re not entitled to your own facts," Pence said, using the old line twice during the first half of the VP debate and this seemed to amuse Harris. "Good line," she appeared to mumble under her breath. The snarky response seemed to be directed more toward Pence's running mate President Donald Trump, as according to Washington Post, POTUS has told more than 20,000 lies since taking office, which made the vice president's line ironic.
Pence followed the line up with pointing out how Obamacare was a disaster and how Biden as president would raise taxes and ban fracking. However, Harris' patience seemed to be wearing off when Pence interrupted her on the stage and refused to let her speak. "Mr Vice President I'm speaking," Harris said. "If you don’t mind letting me finish we can have a conversation."
Pence's multiple uses of Moynihan's line did not go unnoticed by people on social media, especially by journalists and politicians from either side of the political aisle. Some of them called it "rich" coming from a member of the Trump administration.
Time magazine correspondent Charlotte Alter wrote, "Pence saying 'you're entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts' before launching into a defense of a nonexistent GOP health care plan is... rich." Another user chimed in with, "Pence said twice tonight 'You're entitled to your opinion, but not your own facts.' That's the richest line yet from this administration."
Pence saying "you're entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts" before launching into a defense of a nonexistent GOP health care plan is... rich
— Charlotte Alter (@CharlotteAlter) October 8, 2020
Pence said twice tonight "You're entitled to your opinion, but not your own facts".
— Cameron Steele (@Voyager19) October 8, 2020
That's the richest line yet from this administration.
Rep Greg Murphy (R-NC) commented, "You're entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts'--Pence to Kamala. Love it!!! @Mike_Pence. @KamalaHarris is an avowed Marxist! Just say 'NO!' America!" On the other hand, former congresswoman and author Katie Hill remarked, "'You’re entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts' — coming from the administration that literally introduced us all to 'alternative facts.'"
Huffington Post editor Philip Lewis said, "Mike Pence tells Kamala Harris: 'You're entitled to your own opinion, but you're not entitled to your own facts.' Amazinggggg coming from someone in Trump's administration. #VPDebate." Nebraska State Senator Meghan Hunt quipped, "I’m feeling very protective of and concerned for low-information voters watching this. The lies this guy allows to leave his lips are remarkable. And the oft-repeated line 'you’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts,' is not the zinger he thinks it is. #VPDebate."
PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor wrote, "VP Pence has now repeatedly said to Sen Harris: You're entitled to your opinion, you're not entitled to your own facts. It's interesting to see Pence use the same line over & over again given that President Trump as expressly bragged that Trump doesn't repeat lines at debates." CNN White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond said, "'You're entitled to your opinion, you're not entitled to your own facts' is an interesting line for the candidate running on the same ticket as Donald Trump."
"You're entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts"--Pence to Kamala. Love it!!! @Mike_Pence. @KamalaHarris is an avowed Marxist! Just say "NO!" America!
— Greg Murphy (@RepGregMurphy) October 8, 2020
“You’re entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts” — coming from the administration that literally introduced us all to “alternative facts.”
— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) October 8, 2020
Mike Pence tells Kamala Harris: "You're entitled to your own opinion, but you're not entitled to your own facts."
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 8, 2020
Amazinggggg coming from someone in Trump's administration. #VPDebate
I’m feeling very protective of and concerned for low-information voters watching this. The lies this guy allows to leave his lips are remarkable.
— Senator Megan Hunt 😷 (@NebraskaMegan) October 8, 2020
And the oft-repeated line “you’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts,” is not the zinger he thinks it is. #VPDebate
VP Pence has now repeatedly said to Sen Harris: You're entitled to your opinion, you're not entitled to your own facts.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 8, 2020
It's interesting to see Pence use the same line over & over again given that President Trump as expressly bragged that Trump doesn't repeat lines at debates.
"You're entitled to your opinion, you're not entitled to your own facts" is an interesting line for the candidate running on the same ticket as Donald Trump
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) October 8, 2020