Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Tuesday wasn’t on the stage at the vice-presidential debate between his running mate, Gov. Mike Pence, and the Democratic candidate, Sen. Tim Kaine.
But that in no way meant he wasn’t involved.
He had promised before the event to be tweeting throughout, and as the questions and answers began he tweeted, “Both are looking good! Now we begin!”
That was the most gentle comment of the evening, as Trump mostly retweeted comments that came in.
Just minutes later, after Kaine had opened the discussion praising Hillary Clinton, he retweeted, “@RoadkingL: @mike_pence Wow, Kaine couldn’t go 12 seconds without a lie. Marines and military are scared of the liar running. #bengazi.”
Soon followed, “@lainey34210: @realDonaldTrump Great opening Pence.”
And, “@Susiesential: #pence is so much more likeable than Kaine #cbsnews @realDonaldTrump.”
Trump has 12.1 million Twitter followers.
Clinton, with 9.37 million, traded barbs with Trump throughout the night.
At one point, she criticized Pence for skirting a question about whether bias affects policing.
Clinton also scorched Trump’s own tweeting during the debate.
Clinton, 12 hours earlier, had also posted: “Mike Pence: a divisive, anti-woman, anti-LGBT, anti-worker extremist. No wonder Trump picked him. #VPDebate.”
At the same time, Trump was on email, with statements including, “Clinton’s careless use of a secret server put national security at risk,” “Over half of Clinton’s non-gov meetings at State were with foundation donors,” “While Clinton claims she is ‘very proud’ of her record, global crises worsened ‘on her watch,'” and “The choice is clear: Fiscally responsible Mike Pence versus profligate spender Tim Kaine.”
Retweeted from Josh Robin was: “Pence is right. Clinton & Obama tried to negotiate an Iraq troop extension but failed. Bush admin always anticipated such an extension.”
A chart from Pence showed that while he was governor, private sector employment rose 156,800, construction employment was up 5.2 percent and unemployment dropped by 3.9 percent. The chart showed that under Kaine private sector employment dropped by 133,800, construction employment “plummeted” 27.6 percent and the unemployment rose 4.2 percent.
Pence’s comment: “There’s one clear choice in this election to create jobs and grow the American economy. #VP Debate.”
What do YOU think? Who won the vice-presidential debate? Sound off in today’s WND poll
“@timkaine is so angry,” wrote @bigdog_joey. “Our @mike_pence looks great. Kaine can’t defend all those lies #makeamericangreatagain.”
“Kaine looks like a fool!!” said @elisac006.”
“Official Team Trump” pointed out: ” @timkaine has a pay-to-play problem just like Crooked @HillaryClinton @#VPDebates.”
A chart claimed Kaine accepted $160,000 in “gifts” while governor or lieutenant governor, including an $18,000 Caribbean vacation, $5,500 in clothing and an outing to the West Indies.
@realDonaldTrump said: “Kaine looks like an evil crook out of the Batman movies.” And “@mike_pence & @realDonaldTrump are PROVEN job creators and are prepared to bring JOBS BACK to the American people.”
Trump congratulated his running mate: “@mike_pence is doing a great job – so far, no contest!”
Trump retweeted comments from others, including from @ARSenMissyIrvin: “I want a ‘you’re fired’ president with people in Govt who are WASTING my tax $’s.”
And from @carol_Icnixon67: “@realDonaldTrump Kaine says Hillary and he have plans. She could care less what Kaine thinks.”
Trump jumped back in: “@timkaine oversaw unemployment increase by 179,249 while @mike_pence DECREASED unemployment in Indiana by 113,826.”
And from @seanspicer: “@timkaine wants to [talk] tough on crime – fails to talk about defending rapists and mudererss.”
Official Team Trump, on the issue of law enforcement and the Obama administration’s charge of racism: “Law enforcement officers bring communities together & keep us safe. @mike_pence & @realDonaldTrump RESPECT & stand by them!”
A posting said, “Donald Trump and I believe the men and women in law enforcement are not a force for racism in America, they are a force for good.”
“Pence is so prepared!” said @Susiesentinal.
Trump’s email barrage continued: “Elitist Hilary Clinton sneers at millions of average Americans.”
Reactions included:
- Guy Benson: Can Trump let Pence do the next two debates?
- Meghan McCain: Pence is so many light years better at debating, in every way than Trump is – it’s actually disconcerting. #VPDebate
- John Sexton: Pence drops the basket of deplorables bomb.
- Frank Luntz: Trump ought to shut up and let Mike Pence do all the talking from now on.
- Mary Katharine Ham: Do we think Pence could teach Trump to do a Pence impression for the next month? #vpdebate #tellmemorenonthreateningmiddleschoolteacher
- Katie Pavlich: Pence doing well to point out the true victims of illegal immigration: Americans who are victims of crimes committed by illegals #VPDebate
@realDonaldTrump cited Pence’s “dominating” performance.
Trump chortled, “ICYMI: Pence: I ran a state that worked; Kaine ran a state that failed.”
@realDonaldTrjump on terror? “@mike_pence and I will defeat #ISIS.”
What do YOU think? Who won the vice-presidential debate? Sound off in today’s WND poll
