Vice-presidential hopefuls Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence faced off Tuesday in the first — and only — vice-presidential debate of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
It was a chance for the two politicians to present themselves as the person ready to be the right-hand man to the country’s next commander in chief — Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.
READ MORE: VP debate: Fact-checking candidates Mike Pence and Tim Kaine
Pence, herralded as the winner of the debate by the GOP before it even started, spoke in a reserved tone and easy pace. Kaine, likeable but perhaps a bit less steely than his counterpart, seemed to falter at first before picking up steam and delivering some zingers.
It was their time to connect with audiences, and they took their respective best shot. Both men are happily married. Kaine has a son deployed overseas, and Pence grew up with a cornfield in his backyard.
But it wasn’t long before the teeth came out, with moderator Elaine Quijano often struggling to keep order. Here’s what you missed from the 90-minute debate.
Avalanche of insults
Mexicans are rapists. President Barack Obama wasn’t born in the United States. Former prisoner of war John McCain isn’t a war hero.
Pence was put on the spot to explain his running mate’s offensive past comments and behaviour.
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“I can’t imagine how Gov. Pence can defend the insult-driven, selfish ‘me-first’ style of Donald Trump,” Kaine said.
READ MORE: VP debate: Candidates throw zingers during spirited debate
At one point Kaine went as far as to say the thought of a President Trump scares him to death.
Pence swiftly turned the tables, accusing the Clinton camp of a smear campaign. Not to mention that “deplorables” comment.
“Let me say first and foremost that, Senator, you and Hillary Clinton would know a lot about an insult-driven campaign,” Pence fired back.
“The campaign of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine has been an avalanche of insults.”
Taxes and emails
Clinton’s use of private email servers during her time as secretary of state, an ever-present dark shadow during her presidential campaign, came up more than once during the debate.
“It’s important in this moment to remember that Hillary Clinton had a private server in her home that had classified information,” Pence said, as Kaine attempted to cut in.
“…About drone strikes, e-mails from the president of the United States of America were on there.”
The FBI investigated and recommended no charges over the email scandal, Kaine reminded Pence.
Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns — he said last week he wouldn’t release them because he is currently being audited — also reared its head more than once.
READ MORE: Donald Trump: I’ll release tax returns when Hillary Clinton releases emails
Pence said that Trump had some bad years, and as a result didn’t have to pay taxes. He commended his running mate’s business acumen.
“His tax returns showed he went through a very difficult time, but he used the tax code just the way it’s supposed to be used,” Pence said.
“And he did it brilliantly.”
Economy
Even while not paying taxes, Trump has created thousand of jobs, Pence argued, and with Trump at the helm America’s economy will rebound.
“We can get America moving again,” Pence said. “Put on top of that the kind of trade deals that’ll put the American worker first, and you’ve got a prescription for real growth.”
Kaine said Trump’s plan would kill jobs, while Clinton’s policies would create them.
“Do you want a ‘you’re hired’ president in Hillary Clinton or do you want a ‘you’re fired’ president in Donald Trump?” Kaine said.
“I think that’s not such a hard choice.”
And yes, it sounded just as rehearsed as Clinton’s “Trumped up, trickle-down economics” comment from last week’s debate.
Russia relations
Will the next U.S. president be friend or foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin?
“These guys have praised Vladimir Putin as a great leader,” Kaine said, of Trump and Pence, adding they need to learn the difference between a dictator and leader.
“Hillary also has the ability to stand up to Russia in a way that this ticket does not. Donald Trump, again and again, has praised Vladimir Putin. And it’s clear that he has business dealings with Russian oligarchs who are very connected to Putin.”
Pence retorted that Trump will strengthen the military, and will command respect as a powerful leader.
“We’ve just got to have American strength on the world stage,” said Pence.
“When Donald Trump becomes president of the United States, the Russians and other countries in the world will know they’re dealing with a strong American president.”
The abortion debate
A woman’s right to choose was passionately debated by the two men, who both stood a firm line.
Kaine, despite pro-life personal views, is pro-choice in policy. He condemned Trump’s previous suggestion that abortions should be banned and that woman should be punished for having the procedure; statements on which Trump later backtracked.
“Governor Pence wants to repeal Roe v. Wade. He said he wants to put it on the ash heap of history,” Kaine said.”But the last thing, the very last thing that government should do is have laws that would punish women who make reproductive choices.”
Pence said he and Trump would “never support legislation that punished women who made the heartbreaking choice to end a pregnancy.”
When asked to explain Trump’s comments, Pence made an interesting admission.
“Look, he’s not a polished politician like you and Hillary Clinton,” Pence said.
“You know, things don’t always come out exactly the way he means them.”
Trump and Clinton will face off in two more debates, on Sunday, Oct. 9 and Oct. 19. American voters head to the polls on Nov. 8.
READ MORE: Promises, blunders from the first presidential debate
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