Pence’s effort offers a reset: Other views
What people are saying about the vice presidential debate.
Chris Cillizza, The Washington Post: “Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine stood toe-to-toe for 90 minutes in the lone vice presidential debate of the 2016 election. ... From the very beginning, Pence was the more comfortable of the two men on the debate stage. ... What Pence seemed to be doing was making the case for Pence-ism, a, dare I say it, compassionate conservatism — a case for Pence 2020 or 2024. Regardless, Trump will very much take it as Pence’s performance will offer a reset of sorts for a campaign that is scrambling badly due to self-inflicted wounds from the nominee. Win or lose in 24 days, Pence did himself real good in the eyes of the Republican world on Tuesday night.”
Peter Nicholas, The Wall Street Journal: “Kaine carried out a basic obligation of vice presidential nominees: Skewer the opposing ticket early and often. The betting here is that the operatives in Hillary Clinton’s Brooklyn headquarters weren’t displeased with his performance.”
William Whalen, Fox News: “In 2012, about 51.4 million Americans tuned in to watch Vice President Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan have at it — about 20 million fewer viewers than the first of the three Obama-Romney debates. After the hot mess that was last week’s Trump-Clinton debate drew a record 85 million viewers? Tuesday’s drop-off could be even more dramatic. ... For the Republican ticket, the nationally televised debate afforded an opportunity to reconnect with the conservative base and reset the conversation more to Trump-Pence’s liking. ... As for Kaine ... yes, the senator of Virginia is one-half of a national ticket. However, Kaine’s on that ticket for one main reason: to protect Virginia’s 13 electoral votes.”
Philip Gourevitch, The New Yorker, Twitter: “Bottom line on this debate: Kaine makes his appeal by being in sync with Clinton, and Pence makes his appeal by being at odds with Trump.”
Windsor Mann, editor of The Quotable Hitchens: “Trump is running for the wrong job. Rather than running for the highest office in the land, he should be running for the second highest. He should switch places with Pence — fast. ... Ask yourself: Isn’t it better to have Trump a heartbeat away from the presidency than in the presidency?”