5 of the Most Notable Moments from the Vice Presidential Debate
Some of the more striking moments to come out of the VP debate between Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence.
Okay, let’s set aside those hot takes about how the VP debate is boring. It’s true that Tim Kaine and Mike Pence are not the flashy, controversial figures that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have become. Perhaps that’s not necessarily a bad thing – it’s certainly nice to avoid the ephemera of trash talk regarding pantsuits or spray tans.
In the past, VP candidates have traditionally stepped in as less-filtered speakers for their respective presidential campaigns. Just look at the 2014 election – Joe Biden was able to call things “malarkey” and make incredulous faces while then-candidate Barack Obama could step back and attempt to hang on to some dignity.
Now, things are reversed. Trump is likely taking to Twitter at this very moment, giving his staffers a series of heart attacks with grammatically and factually imprecise statements. Hillary is caught up in the circus likewise.
And the VP candidates? They… well, they kind of look like someone’s dads. They remind me vaguely of Ned Flanders. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish them from one another unless you stare at the screen for a minute or two. Pence is more controversial than middle-of-the-road Kaine, but I’d bet money that most of you didn’t know who either man was two months ago.
Let’s admit it: no one expected this debate to measure up to the first presidential showdown last week. While I will say that the VP candidate’s political careers and positions are important all the way to election day, they aren’t exactly TV ready. Depending on your point of view, that’s either a plus or a minus.
Despite the slightly more subdued nature of the debate, here are five of the most notable things from tonight’s event:
FARMVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 04: Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine (L) and Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence (R) debate as moderator Elaine Quijano (C) listens during the Vice Presidential Debate at Longwood University on October 4, 2016 in Farmville, Virginia. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
1.) The RNC publishes its Pence victory post… more than an hour before the debate starts
Look, we can’t judge someone for writing up a press release before the event. Reporting takes time and, honestly, that was probably written in order to save someone a headache. Of course, we’re sure it caused quite a few before the debate even began.
FARMVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 04: Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence listens during the Vice Presidential Debate with Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine at Longwood University on October 4, 2016 in Farmville, Virginia. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
2.) Tim Kaine quotes Donald Trump, Mike Pence sadly shakes his head.
If there was ever a time to cut to tape, this would be it. Kaine frequently quoted Trump and referred to several documented issues with the Republican candidate. Pence’s reaction was often to sadly shake his head, or to mutter “aw, come on” before flatly denying Trump’s proposal to build a wall or his candidate’s comments about women, race, and other issues.
FARMVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 04: Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence (L) and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine (R) debate as moderator Elaine Quijano (C) listens during the Vice Presidential Debate at Longwood University on October 4, 2016 in Farmville, Virginia. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
3.) Elaine Quijano is a 1st-grade teacher who has marched two kids to a corner to resolve their argument and is just so done with this.
“Gentlemen, the audience at home can’t understand you when you’re both talking.”
“Governor, you only have thirty seconds left. No, Governor. Ten seconds!”
“Senator, I want to move on. Moving. On.”
“Please, gentlemen.”
“Okay, we’re just moving on now.”
Kaine especially seemed unable to contain himself and interrupted Pence multiple times. Adorably/obnoxiously, Pence said “I forgive you” after Kaine’s fiftieth interruption.
After five minutes, it began to feel like the warm, noxious embrace of cable news and its ubiquitous cross-talking heads.
FARMVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 04: Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine (L) and Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence (R) speak during the Vice Presidential Debate at Longwood University on October 4, 2016 in Farmville, Virginia. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates. (Photo by Andrew Gombert – Pool/Getty Images)
4.) Russia, Russia, Russia
Pence unintentionally pointed out that Trump didn’t know that Russia was already in Ukraine – not a grand endorsement of Trump’s foreign policy chops. This is especially strange given Trump’s ties to Russian banks and his praise for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Pence also stated that Putin would respect a Trump/Pence government because of “strength”. Generally, everyone seemed a little terrified of Russia, or at least creeped out by Putin.
FARMVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 04: Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence speaks during the Vice Presidential Debate with Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine at Longwood University on October 4, 2016 in Farmville, Virginia. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
5.) Pence denies reality, presumably will go on to question the nature of space and time itself
In response to Kaine’s comments about the Clinton Foundation, Pence tried to defend the Trump Foundation is a legitimate nonprofit. By the way, the Trump Foundation was recently ordered to cease soliciting funds in New York. It is on generally shaky ground.
Pence did an admirable job of keeping a straight face even when denying Trump’s words, as quoted nearly verbatim by Kaine.
BONUS ROUND: Mike Pence said some weird things, but this truly stands by itself
“Senator, you’ve whipped out that Mexican thing again.”
Next: Meet Our Vice Presidential Hopefuls
Early reports seem conflicted regarding who “won”. The New York Times gives it to Kaine, saying he delivered a “thumping”. The Washington Post, however, argues that Pence seemed far more comfortable and composed.
Anyway, now that’s over, we can prepare for the upcoming second presidential debate. Round two of Clinton vs Trump will air on Sunday, October 9, at 9:00 p.m. eastern time. Be sure to check back here for a viewing guide, as well as our reactions after the event.