On CNN’s post-debate coverage of the only Vice Presidential debate between Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Paul Begala put forward the idea that Mike Pence
announced his candidacy for president in 2020.
Stylistically, Pence had the stronger performance in Longwood, Virginia, Tuesday evening. Pence, though a frequent head shaker with
smug grins, was more composed than Kaine, with his fluttering interruptions. Pence's paused approach to attacks on Trump presented the Indiana Gov. in a comparatively positive light.
If anything, last night’s performance made me wonder why Pence isn’t the guy at the top of the ticket. He clearly doesn’t have the bluster of Trump, which so many in the
Republican Party admire. He was losing in his reelection polls for governor before he pulled out to join Trump’s ticket — and he has the insider CV that so many despise these days.
Still, as Begala pointed out, Pence presented himself as a legitimate national politician with the image and self-command of a president, unlike his bombastic running mate Donald Trump.
On the substance front, however, the story line was quite different. Pence was unable to defend multiple attacks Kaine waged on Trump.
The usually
“ebullient” Kaine, as David Axelrod described him, was sent out there last night to be a Democratic attack dog. He did effectively hit Trump on a number of issues, including his closeness
with Putin, his tax returns, his comments on women and stance on abortion, but looked uncomfortable and at times, downright pained while doing so.
Many of the attacks stuck, and
Pence was not effective in substantially defending Trump on a majority of the points Kaine addressed. But that’s not what will be remembered. The poise, self-control and general pleasantness
that Pence showed will stick in voters minds going forward -- preparing him for what some may believe is a presidential run in 2020.
Kaine was a stalwart defender of anything
launched his way about Clinton, whereas Pence was content with laughing and shaking his head when Kaine presented any of the myriad offensive statements Trump has trumpeted.
What the
debate could possibly do is coerce some Republicans averse to Trump to consider supporting him, given he tapped a seemingly level-headed VP at his side. There is little chance last night’s
performance will do anything to move any Democrats away from Clinton.
In the end, Pence painted the image of a running mate that more Republicans might support. The problem is that
the candidate conjured up during yesterday’s debate is definitely not Donald Trump. If the Trump/Pence ticket is to have any chance on Nov. 8, Trump needs to take debate tips from his VP and
potential 2020 Republican candidate for president.
Odds are he won’t.