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VP Debate Analysis: Both Won In Spite of Fact Advantage To Kaine

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Both Vice Presidential candidates did their jobs in the debate Tuesday evening.

That's according to ISU political scientists Tom McClure and Erik Rankin.

Speaking on GLT's Sound Ideas, Rankin said Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence had different roles to play.

"If you were looking for the attack dog, as a Democrat, you probably felt pretty good with Kaine's performance. If you were looking for a person that can be a little bit more rational, then you probably felt really good with the performance of Pence. Pence is not a thin-skinned politician at all, as opposed to his running mate," said Rankin.

Rankin and Tom McClure said GOP Governor Mike Pence even seemed to play a longer game than just this year's contest, an attempt to get ready for the 2020 election cycle.

"The real loser of the debate was (Senator) Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Pence may be able to take the position of being the social conservative candidate to watch in four years," said McClure.

The two agreed neither Vice Presidential candidate moved the needle much in the overall race for President.

Politifact reports a sizeable advantage to Kaine over Pence in truthful statements. Rankin and McClure acknowledged Pence avoided defending Donald Trump's controversial statements, though he did falsely deny Trump made some of the remarks.

 

Willis is a Bloomington, IL, native. During his senior year at Bloomington High School, he finished third in the "Radio Speaking" division of the state speech contest, the only year he competed.