Despite receiving less viewership around the country when compared to the big-league debate, the two vice presidential candidates squared off Tuesday night at Longwood University.
That’s in Farmville, Virginia by the way. I had no idea, either.
The absence of the two demagogues screaming back and forth paved the way for a more cohesive and understandable debate where policies were argued rather than a showdown of who is less of a bully.
However, about 10 minutes in to the debate, Sen. Tim Kaine interrupted Gov. Mike Pence while Pence bashed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for her trustworthiness. Unfortunately, it was not as entertaining as the back and forth between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Clinton.
Pence, looking far more relaxed and clever than Trump, fired back at Kaine for his shaky tax policies and debt issues as Governor of Virginia. As a former radio talk show host, he spoke softly and with conviction.
Kaine, less relaxed and full of energy, excitedly took every opportunity to bash Trump’s business ethics and Pence’s voting record. He had trouble landing the punches, though, as his rival remained calm through the criticism.
When the debate moved to immigration, Pence took even more command, attempting the nearly impossible act of defending Trump’s vulgar language and bravado demeanor that is hated by so many.
Kaine, naturally, stuck to the democrats’ strategy of using emotionally driven statements, repeatedly slamming Trump, hyperbolizing many of his statements. Kaine hurled the race card around like the mainstream media has done for the past year, doing his best to appeal to his supporters.
Although many on the left will stand by Kaine’s interruptions, he mirrored a similar debate style that got Trump so much negative attention. We can be sure that most media outlets will overlook this.
Pence fielded the immigration question to the best of his ability, highlighting Trump’s plan to secure the border by erring on the side of caution rather than assuming immigrants from terrorist controlled countries are safe.
It’s an incredibly complex issue, and the discussion was a key moment of the debate. Both offered deeper insight into the matter than either of their running mates have ever attempted to.
Moderator Elaine Quijano, who did a masterful job of remaining objectively unbiased and poised, then changed the topic to foreign policy by questioning the safety of the globe. There was no implicit twist that favored either debater.
It will be difficult to overlook Kaine’s failed attempt to destroy Trump’s foreign policy. Whenever he was dug into a hole, Kaine fired back about how Trump is in love with Vladimir Putin, to which Pence consistently laughed.
Pence finally got a chance to clarify Trump’s opinion, stating that Putin has many qualities of a strong leader that should be emulated by a president who wishes to be a powerful diplomat on the turbulent world stage.
Whether you agree with either candidate on their foreign policies, it was clear that Pence came prepared to discuss the matter, looking about as informed as Clinton and relaxed as Ronald Reagan.
Yeah, I went there.
Kaine appeared before the country as a failed understudy of his running mate who is, indisputably, a vacuum of knowledge in regard to foreign affairs.
He reminded voters of the diplomatic relations Clinton has forged, including what he claimed to be the great Iran deal, while also blaming Trump for supporting nuclear program developments around the globe.
Pence, shocked by the statement, laughed that the Iran deal will ensure nuclear development in Iran, and refuted the claims about Trump’s nuclear logic.
Kaine, unclear as to how to rebut, argued again that Trump thinks Putin is the best world leader, adding to the ridiculousness by saying he also supports Kim Jong-un. It was a bad look for the senator and democratic camp.
The debate ended with a fruitful discussion about how faith has played a part in both their political careers. Both debaters took the softball question as an opportunity to appeal to middle America. Both hit home runs.
It was clear that Pence, who looked more like a presidential figure than his pal Trump, won the debate by a large margin. By remaining focused and unemotional, Pence clearly defined his conservative opinions.
The governor took his time answering the multitude of questions asked by the moderator, thoughtfully explaining his side and never relying on a slanderous approach. He attempted, and succeeded, in showing voters that conservative principles can still be valiantly debated.
Unlike Kaine, who looked like an actor who just memorized his lines for the first take of a scene, Pence looked human, likable and presidential.
It’s a shame that he isn’t running for the Oval Office. Pence 2020?
