Longwood University Vice Presidential debate @ 9pm ET **live commentary thread**

[ag]

Clinton/Kaine is ahead right now, and Trump is perceved as unsuitable - Kaine has to demonstrate that Pence is just "Trump redux" to win - no easy feat.

Kaine can bring up Pence's extremist views on Planned Parenthood and those religious freedom bills as well. Those aren't mainstream positions.

He definitely could. But Pence may actually welcome that (for him it's probably a much easier argument to have, than Trump's taxes). 

Yep. Why have Pence talk about things he is comfortable saying? Keep him uncomfortable.

[ag]

Kaine has to demonstrate that Pence is just "Trump redux" to win - no easy feat.

Not sure why that's necessary.  There's no need to attack Pence, since Trump's the one people care about.  I assume that Kaine will mostly attack Trump and Pence will mostly attack Clinton.  People don't usually vote on the basis of who the VP nominee is, so it seems like a waste of time for them to attack each other.

It is not. If he keeps Pence on the defence, trying to explain Trump's positions, he will at least draw. Which was the preferred strategy I proposed fo him.

However, for the type of win Clinton had against Trump, he will have to get Pence to agree with Trump's crazier ideas.

Getting Pence to publicly disagree with Trump's ideas could also be seen as a win.

Ideally, Kaine would make Pence say something that would have Trump go ballistic on the Twitter. I do not know if he manages to, but this would be really the best.

[ag]

Kaine thinks allies like SK and Japan shouldn't have nukes? LMAO

Not only he thinks they should not have nukes, but so do South Koreans and the Japanese. This is the cornerstone of the international consensus on this - has been for the last 70 years. They may be forced to acquire the nukes if Trump gets to be president - but they would much rather not have the need to.

[ag]

Kaine thinks allies like SK and Japan shouldn't have nukes? LMAO

They shouldn't. You have no understanding of the deep-seated rivalries in East Asia. Giving Japan and SK nukes with China already nuclear-armed is lighting a match to kerosene

Lol at thinkint the U.S. has a right to prevent sovereign, allied nations from having nukes.

Ever heard of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty?

Actually, have you every heard about international relations before tonight?

[ag]

Watching this without sound, Pence seems angrier. Kaine, even when he is obviously unhappy, smiles more.

[ag]

Kaine thinks allies like SK and Japan shouldn't have nukes? LMAO

They shouldn't. You have no understanding of the deep-seated rivalries in East Asia. Giving Japan and SK nukes with China already nuclear-armed is lighting a match to kerosene

Lol at thinkint the U.S. has a right to prevent sovereign, allied nations from having nukes.

Ever heard of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty?

Actually, have you every heard about international relations before tonight?

If there was a treaty that allowed for slaves, would it be acceptable? Not to mention the fact that states do not have to accept the treaty.

Both South Korea and Japan have accepted the treaty as non-nuclear states. Korea back in 1975, Japan back in 1976. Neither has ever expressed any desire to abandon it: quite on the contrary, they are strong supporters.

You know less about international relations than a three-month old baby knows about nuclear physics.

[ag]

Kaine isnt trying to become president, he's trying to make Trump look bad. Job done I think.

Exactly. Pence is in this not because of Trump, but because he wants to be president himself. I mean, to use an (updated) LBJ turn of phrase, 9 of them did not have to be elected. Kaine is running fro the VP, Pence is not. So, Pence may be defeating Kaine, but Kaine is defeating Trump.

[ag]

You whipped out that Mexican thing again?

The f?

As a Mexican, I do wonder.

[ag]

"That Mexican thing"  Alright Mr. Trump.

The only thing on which Pence seems to agree with the head of the ticket.

[ag]

Well, Kaine dominated until the very end when Pence just had to steal the how on abortion of course. And he proved he was a coward on the death penalty.

Say it with me, folks: Tim "Nuremberg Defence" Kaine.

Embarassing, when you call on the audience like that, and the audience is silent. You should never do it.