Mike Pence Clear Winner in VP Candidate Debate

[Undaunted]

CNN poll gives the debate win to Pence.

[Gaybutton]

I didn't see Pence as a clear winner. I thought is was more of a tie. Every time Kaine asked him a question, Pence avoided answering. On the other hand, I thought Kaine made a big mistake by interrupting Pence so many times. It was constant. I didn't like that at all.

It seemed to me, rather than focusing on why either of them would make a good vice president, the entire debate focused on Clinton and Trump, as if their own opinions and agendas weren't even a factor.

However, I also believe it doesn't matter which of them prevailed in the debate. I don't think people decide who to vote for based on vice presidential debates.

I only wish one of them, at least, would have had a Lloyd Bentsen-Dan Quayle moment. That didn't happen.

[Undaunted]

Any way you slice it you wind up with 2 poor choices for President and VP, considering the age Clinton and Trump are, one of the VP candidates could at some point be in play.

[Smiles]

I agree that Pence 'won' the debate (if only, and I do mean only) because of Kaine's continual interrupting, which was damn annoying. I think it would have been a dead heat if he had of stopped that nonsense, but he just didn't let up.
More importantly, it was a win when compared against Trump's disaster last week. Pence won ~ in my personal reading-after-watching ~ 55 to 45 ... not a tie but pretty close. His Boss however lost his debate by garnishing a miserable 30 to Clinton's 70.

Compared to Trump (that dirtbag), Pence is a veritable ray of light. Thanks Madonna.
And Kaine also. In the context of this one debate Clinton should be overjoyed she is running against Trump (that dirtbag) and not Pence.

[Alex]

Too bad they are the VP picks, not people we can vote to have sent in front of a firing squad or something like that.

Or to say something a bit more civil, I think neither of them is a suitable VP pick.

[Undaunted]

Or to say something a bit more civil, I think neither of them is a suitable VP pick.

A perfect match; two unsuitables for two unsuitables!

[RichLB]

I think I saw the debate differently from most. It's important to judge the outcome based on each VP candidate's objective and target audience.

Pence, I think, intended to defend Trump (as if that is even possible) and sway undecided voters to his ticket. IMO, if that is correct he failed miserably. He pivoted on every issue relating to Trump's past behavior and blatantly refused to answer the charge or question from the moderator. I found him inarticulate and unfocused. He did deliver fodder for the religious right with his pro life conclusion, but they were already in his camp. I doubt if any new voters were persuaded.

Kaine, on the other hand, must have had a different agenda. He succeeded time and again to skewer the Trump ticket with their countless lies and questionable tactics - none of which Pence was able to refute except to deny verifiable facts. The result of the debate will be to give the Clinton camp a goldmine of excepts to display in upcoming TV ads. And, again, I doubt any undecided voters will be persuaded by Kaine's performance, but it should have solidified Clinton's base.

And as to style, I'm not sure the bombastic approach of Kaine was unwise. It had the same appeal as Trump's without being hampered by lies as his was. It may very well be what some fringe Trump supporters find to appealing about Trump in which case hats off to Kaine. In any event, though, I doubt poll figures will be changed at all based on either candidate's performance.

[Smiles]

Pence, I think, intended to defend Trump (as if that is even possible) and sway undecided voters to his ticket.

If this latest little tidbit below is correct, what you say above is absolutely the opposite notion.

This morning I was watching the CNN (etc etc) pundits 'analyze' the VP debate. One of them (I can't recall who ... there are so many these days) put forth a very intriguing theory regarding Mr Pence: that Pence, by brushing aside almost all of the amazingly stupid Trumperisms and temper tantrums (of which Mr Kaine attempted to bury him with, but not with much success) he was essentially throwing Trump under the bus, and setting himself up for a run at the presidency in 2020. Of course, Trump is such a blockhead he would never recognize what Pence has done. I.E. Pence is playing Trump! How deliciously ironic.
Pence is sure that Clinton is going to win, and when she does Trump will be poisonous as well as useless to the GOP. But Pence will be waiting, stealth-like, in the wings.

Just a theory. but interesting ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And on the other side of the circus:
The Donald could do (he) himself a huge favour by declaring that he (Himself) would not be attending the next two debates because of pressing business issues in Nigeria, and that Mr Pence will be stepping in to replace him. Is that OK?

[RichLB]

Smiles, I've heard that same theory voiced on MSNBC and it sure seems plausible to me. Part of me also wonders if there wasn't a tacit "gentleman's agreement" between Pence and Kaine to avoid Pence's anti-gay and anti progressive positions and thus leave his future candidacy viable.

[Gaybutton]

Kaine, on the other hand, must have had a different agenda. He succeeded time and again to skewer the Trump ticket with their countless lies and questionable tactics

I agree with what Kaine was saying, but I don't like the way he said it. I think constant interruptions are as rude as it gets. I would expect that from Trump, but not from Kaine. If whoever was involved in preparing him for the debate was getting him to do that, I think it was a serious mistake.

For me, it's the same with Bill Maher's "Real Time" show. Everybody on the panel always interrupts and talks over each other. To me, that is not the way to debate. I'm surprised the debate moderators don't step in more forcefully to put a stop to constant interruptions - no matter who is doing the interrupting.