The Vice Presidential debate between Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence was substantially different from debates of years past, thanks to a technological innovation employed by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
In lieu of questions, Pence was shown a live feed of his running mate Donald Trump holding a campaign rally in Arizona, and was asked to defend him in real time.
Pence struggled.
“The next question is for you, Governor Pence,” said moderator Elaine Quijano. “In front of you is a live feed of your running mate, Donald Trump.”
Pence watched, stone-faced, as Trump encouraged the audience to personally rough up a Hispanic protestor.
“Get ‘im outta here!” bellowed Trump, who then began lamenting modern culture’s distaste for violence.
“You’re not allowed anymore,” he said. “You’re not allowed anymore. They’re gonna say ‘Oh, Donald Trump said you should rough up this guy’ – well let me tell you folks, maybe they need a little bit, okay?”
Pence smiled sheepishly, and shrugged. “I really don’t know what to tell you about that, Elaine,” he said. “But let me tell you this. Donald Trump and I are determined not to run the kind of insult-driven campaign that–”
He was cut off by audio of Trump loudly ridiculing the protestor.
“Look at this guy!” he yelled, as the protestor was dragged out of the venue. “Boy oh boy, only a mother could love that face.”
Pence sat in silence, hands clasped, and smiled at the camera.
“Would you like to continue, Governor?” Quijano asked him.
“No,” he replied.
Pence was also caught off guard several times later in the debate, once by a live feed of Trump tweets praising “certain aspects” of Benito Mussolini, and a second time by news that Trump had personally scuffled with the protestor.
Undecided voters polled about the debate overwhelmingly felt Pence bested Tim Kaine, saying they were impressed by the fact he hadn’t said anything overtly racist.