Kaine attacks, Pence fights back in vigorous VP debate
FARMVILLE, Va. — Democrat Tim Kaine aggressively challenged Republican Mike Pence over a long list of Donald Trump’s controversial positions and statements Tuesday night, drawing a vigorous defence of Trump’s tax history. But Pence sidestepped criticism of Trump’s demeaning comments about women, his public doubting of Barack Obama’s citizenship and broader questions about his temperament.
Indiana Gov. Pence and Virginia Sen. Kaine, who have received little attention in a race focused on Trump and Hillary Clinton, faced off for 90 minutes in the only vice-presidential debate of the campaign.
With the close White House race perhaps starting to tip in Clinton’s favour, Pence outlined a detailed conservative agenda on tax policy, entitlements and immigration. He was markedly more prepared and more detailed in his answers than Trump was in last week’s first presidential debate. He was also more consistent in painting the Democratic ticket as career politicians unwilling to shake up Washington.
“Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine want more of the same,” Pence said. He also repeatedly accused the Democrats of running an “insult-driven” campaign — an ironic attack line given that Trump has levelled repeated insults against Clinton and his former rivals in the Republican primaries.