2016 Vice Presidential Debate: Tensions Run High

Sydney Sears, Staff Writer

Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence had their first and only vice presidential debate on October 4th at Longwood University in Virginia.

Tim Kaine, a 58 year old U.S. senator raised in Kansas City, went up against Mike Pence, a 57 year old U.S. governor raised in Columbus, Indiana. Many topics were discussed, from the economy to terrorism to immigration. Not unlike their running mates, Kaine and Pence could not help but throw insults at both each other, as well as their respective running mates.. Pence said that Kaine was a fit running mate for Clinton, because they “both left their old positions with major messes to clean up”. Kaine said that Trump “is a liar”, and stated almost a dozen times that he is “dumbfounded” that Pence is able to defend him.

Throughout the entire debate, there was only one time where the two candidates actually saw eye to eye and that was with the matter of law enforcement. Both believe in community policing.

The largest disagreement resulted when the candidates discussed whether or not terrorism has increased or decreased since Obama became President. Kaine stated that terrorism has decreased in ways, such as the killing of Osama Bin Laden and nuclear deals, while Pence stated that terrorism has increased, and that killing Osama Bin Laden was good, but that Al Qaeda “isn’t the problem anymore”. Kaine stated that Trump’s plan to get rid of terrorists could also be known as “a Mount Rushmore of Dictators.”

The second presidential debate is scheduled for Sunday, October 9th at 9pm CT.