It sure felt like a real debate tonight. Two likeable politicians, Sen. Tim Kaine and Gov. Mike Pence, discussing the issues of the day in a spirited but non mean-spirited way.
On style, Kaine had too much Red Bull before he took the stage. His interruptions during the first thirty minutes were annoying and didn’t help his cause. Pence looked solid and despite his far-right views on social issues emerged looking like a statesman. (One longtime GOP operative sent me an email saying, “if Pence were on the top of the ticket we’d be five points ahead.) Pence also scored high by pointing out Clinton’s comment about their supporters being “deplorable.” ADVANTAGE PENCE
On substance, Pence was unable to defend a lot of Donald Trump’s statements and positions. It was a great night for Pence, but I’m not sure the inconsistencies with the top of the ticket will survive the fact-checking. Kaine was extremely effective in quoting what Trump has said, leaving Pence to shake his head in denial (even though it was exactly what Trump had said). Pence brushed over the strange bromance between Trump and Vladmir Putin, and he failed to answer why he had to submit his tax returns to Trump to be his running-mate, but Trump hasn’t released his tax returns to the American people. ADVANTAGE KAINE
The CNN instant poll showed a slight win for Pence with 48%, Kaine 42%.
On facts:
- Kaine: “Hillary Clinton eliminated the Iranian nuclear weapon program.” FALSE
- Pence: “There are millions more people living in poverty today than the day President Obama.” FALSE
- Kaine: “The debt explosion on the Trump plan is much, much bigger than anything on the Clinton side.” TRUE
- Pence: “Donald Trump is pro-life.” TRUE (although Trump was pro-choice until 2011)
- Kaine: “Trump promised to absolutely release his taxes if he ran for president.” TRUE
- Pence: “Clinton wants an open border.” FALSE
- Kaine: “The Bush tax cuts were a cause of the Great Recession.” FALSE
- Pence: “The Clinton Foundation accepted foreign donations while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state.” TRUE
- Kaine: “Nixon released his tax returns while under audit.” TRUE
- Kaine: “Trump said a woman should face a penalty if she has a legal abortion.” TRUE
- Pence: “Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine support a 550 percent increase in Syrian refugees.” TRUE
- Kaine: “A federal court ruled against Gov. Pence’s ban on Syrian refugees.” TRUE
- Pence: “The Clinton Foundation sends less than 10 cents on the dollar to charitable causes.” FALSE
- Kaine: “Trump has made negative comments about women, Mexicans and Sen. John McCain.” TRUE
Trump started the debate by sending a tweet to Megyn Kelly of Fox News.
.@megynkelly– I am in Nevada. Sorry to inform you Kellyanne is in the audience. Better luck next time.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2016
Then he retweeted a message saying Kaine looked like a fool.
“@elisac006: @nycmia @realDonaldTrump I agree. Kaine looks like a fool!!”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2016
Then he retweeted a message that Kaine looked like an “evil crook.”
“@Jnelson52722: @realDonaldTrump @Susiesentinel Kaine looks like an evil crook out of the Batman movies”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2016
In the final analysis, neither candidate did any harm to their ticket. The question is whether Trump can play better in the town-hall style debate coming up Sunday night. For Clinton, another strong debate performance could almost guarantee she will become the 45th president.