AT A GLANCE

HERE are some of the quotes making news at the first US 2020 presidential debate on Tuesday between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden ahead of the November 3 election:

Supreme Court

Mr Trump, asked about whether Judge Amy Coney Barrett should be nominated to the Supreme Court before the election: “We won the election. Elections have consequences.

“We have the Senate and we have the White House and we have a phenomenal nominee respected by all.

“... I think that she (Barrett) will be outstanding. She will be as good as anybody who has ever served on that court. We won the election and therefore we had the right to choose her.”

Biden: “We should wait, we should wait and see what the outcome of this election is.”

Pivoting to the Affordable Care Act, Mr Biden said, “I’m not opposed to the justice. She seems like a very fine person. But she’s written ... that she thinks the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.

“The president’s made it clear he wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. He’s been running on that”.

Mr Trump interjected, “As far as a say is concerned, the American people have already had their say. I’m not elected for 3-1/2 years.”

Responded Biden: “He’s elected until the next election. The election’s already started.”

Healthcare

Mr Biden, told by Mr Trump that he has adopted former Democratic presidential rival Bernie Sanders’ “socialised medicine” proposals:

“Everybody here knows he’s a liar. You picked the wrong guy on the wrong night at the wrong time.”

“Folks, do you have any idea what this clown’s doing? I tell you what, he is not for anybody needing healthcare.”

After Mr Trump explained his health proposal, Mr Biden said, “He has no plan for healthcare. The fact is this man has no idea what he’s talking about.”

At another point, while being interrupted by Mr Trump, Mr Biden said, “Will you shut up, man. This is so unpresidential. Keep yapping, man.”

The coronavirus pandemic

Biden to Trump: “You should get out of your bunker and get out of the sand trap and the golf course and go in the Oval Office and (put) together Democrats and Republicans, and fund what needs to be done now to save lives.”

Trump to Biden: “You didn’t think we should’ve closed our country (to China) because you thought it was terrible.”

“We’ve done a great job. But I tell you, Joe, you could never have done the job we’ve done. You don’t have it in your blood.”

Mr Trump on Mr Biden’s proposed approach to developing coronavirus vaccines:

“People like this would rather make it political than save lives.”

Biden: “Guess what, a lot of people died, and a lot more going to die unless he gets a lot smarter a lot quicker.”

Responded Trump: “There’s nothing smart about you, Joe.

Biden on Trump’s mask policy: “He’s a fool on this.”