I was looking forward to the vice-presidential debate.
Really, I was.
I wanted to find out more about those two men – Virginia Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine and Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Pence – each of whom could wind up a heartbeat away from the presidency.
As it turned out, I wound up doing something I’ve never done before: screaming at the television set!
“SHUT UP – JUST SHUT UP!”
And I shouted it several times, out of a continuing frustration at the debacle playing out before my eyes. I normally don’t talk to the TV, but someone needed to rein in an out-of-control, hyper, overly programmed Tim Kaine.
I certainly couldn’t, but no else did, either.
Mike Pence couldn’t. The moderator, Elaine Quijano, could have, and should have, but she didn’t. So Kaine raved on and on and on, incessantly.
It all started out normally enough, but it instantly turned into an out-of-control insult-fest. Democrat Tim Kaine simply let loose with his own agenda, consistently interrupting not only Pence but also Quijano.
Someone who actually counted said Kaine interrupted Pence 74 times!
Can you believe it? 74!
No matter what the question was, no matter what Pence was saying, Kaine was there, butting in like an out-of-control 3-year-old, stamping his foot to try to get his way, saying what he claimed is the truth of whatever was ostensibly being discussed.
What made it worse was his demeanor. Kaine mugged for the camera, gloated at things he said and continually looked toward the moderator as if to gain her approval of whatever it was he had just unloaded on Pence and the audience.
It was an amazing display.
I know the studio audience members had “promised” not to interrupt the proceedings with any reaction, but I was surprised they didn’t vocally object to the debacle that was taking place before them.
It was insulting to the live audience and to the viewers at home who thought they would be getting some kind of honest “debate” and not a continuing barrage of insults, lies and exaggerations by the Democrat against Donald Trump.
Hey, we know the Dems don’t like Trump but he is the GOP candidate and, as such, deserved the respect his position demands.
The outburst by Tim Kaine was programmed and practiced, and he performed it as though he were flying on an overdose of uppers. His grimaces and leers and snarky comments were never ending.
It was clear from the beginning that the moderator had her own bias, but even worse – she totally lost control of the “debate.”
She would ask a question, but Kaine wouldn’t answer it, instead saying whatever he was scripted to say. She never called him back to the question. At one point, she asked why people don’t trust Hillary. His response was several minutes of glowing praise for Clinton and why he respects and trusts her.
So much for staying on topic.
She didn’t do Pence any favors. He would be in the middle of a thoughtful response to a question and she would interrupt by saying he was out of time and pose another question on a totally different issue.
I didn’t run a clock on the debate, but I have no doubt Kaine got more airtime than Pence and often ran beyond the so-called allotted time for each response. The moderator allowed it as Kaine simply steamrolled her and said what he wanted when he wanted.
There was no give-and-take on issues. Often in the middle of Pence’s cogent comments, Kaine interrupted to change the topic, leering at Pence and the moderator as if to say, “See how smart I am?”
A number of topics were raised, including the economy, taxes, immigration, foreign policy, the justice system and racism and abortion, among others, but with each of them, Kaine veered off topic to hurl insults at Pence, Trump and the GOP.
The issue of Trump’s tax returns was a major issue for Kaine, who continually insulted and mocked Trump about the issue. He did the same about immigration, continually claiming Trump insulted Mexicans and Muslims, but he never addressed our real immigration problems.
Pence remained cool and calm through it all, but finally he had enough and accused Kaine and Clinton of lodging “an avalanche of insults.” He might have been low-key about it, but he was absolutely right.
The issue of Clinton’s trustworthiness also came up during the discussion. While Kaine avoided answering why some don’t trust Clinton, Pence nailed it by saying, “There’s a reason why people question the trustworthiness of Hillary Clinton, and that’s because they’re paying attention.”
People that evening were paying attention to something else: Mike Pence won the debate because he was the only adult there. He remained calm and intent on expressing his positions on issues raised. He defended the GOP position and candidate. Even though he was talked over and insulted by his opponent, he exuded class and decorum.
Remember, whichever candidate wins the election, one of these two men will be next in line to lead our country should something untoward happen to the president.
Considering the questions about Hillary’s health, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Hillary might not complete her term. In that case – are you ready? – Tim Kaine would be president!
That’s a second reason Clinton must not win in November.
Whatever you might think of Donald Trump, his choice of Mike Pence for vice president is top notch, and that team will do good things.
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