VP debate preview with Central Coast expert

UPDATE 10/4/2016 5:30 PM:

The two men hoping to become the next Vice President of the United States are facing off Tuesday night. It’s the only time that Tim Kaine and Mike Pence will share the debate stage.

The vice presidential debate is expected to be a more subdued affair than last week’s first showdown between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

“I’d like to say it matters and I think it does matter on one hand. On the other hand you saw, what, 80 million people tuned in last Monday and I’m sure we’re going to have half that tuned in tonight,” said Ryan Stouffer, assistance professor of Longwood University.

Analysts believe Kaine will bring up Trump’s taxes, forcing Pence to defend his running mate. They also believe Pence will hit Kaine with a Republican theme that Trump used last week — that Kaine and Clinton can’t bring real change.

While the debate may not make or break the race to the White House, one of these two men will be second in line. Vice presidents do more these days, compared with vice presidents of the past.

“Presidents give them a more public role,” Political analyst Dr. David Anderson said. “They’re more involved in ongoing policy discussions. They have to represent the country abroad, especially in that role. Often times they go abroad to represent that president.”

KION spoke to local leadership with both the Republican and Democratic parties about why their man is fit to be vice president.

“Well I think he’s an experienced former governor who brings a lot to the table,” said Vinz Koller, chair of the Monterey County Democrats. “One of the reasons why I think she picked him was really because what you want in a vice president is someone you can have complete trust in. And of course someone who you think can step in, in case that is necessary. He has all of those qualifications. He’s terrific. He’s not as bland as he says so himself.”

“Mike Pence is going to be the wisdom in the room that says let’s calm down and measure things out and see how we can actually get things done and not just take pot shots,” said Rob Bernosky, regional vice chair for the California Republican Party. “He has a very successful track record. Like I said, their employment rate is higher than the rest of the nation. They have the smallest debt per capita.”

If the President becomes incapacitated and can’t fulfill their duties, the Vice President would step in. Dr. Anderson said it’s something voters should keep in mind with Hillary Clinton being 68 years old and Donald Trump is 70.

“One of the reasons why I think she picked him was really because what you want in a vice president is someone you can have complete trust in,” Koller said. “And of course someone who you think can step in, in case that is necessary. He has all of those qualifications.”

While Clinton has struggled with public trust, Trump needs someone with political experience.

“Trump by selecting him says, I understand that we have different points of view in the country and I’m selecting someone that is quite frankly the opposite of his temperament that will again, bring balance to the ticket,” Bernosky said.

Dr. David Anderson//Political Scientist
“Tim Kaine and Mike Pence have traditional political personalities. You don’t get to be a governor, a senator, a congressman if you don’t have some kind of political presence.”

ORIGINAL POST:

It may lack the firepower of a Clinton-Trump debate, but political observers say voters can learn a lot by watching tonight’s Vice Presidential debate between Tim Kaine and Mike Pence.

The two candidates will square off in a nationally-televised debate (see it on KION starting at 6 p.m.) from Longwood University in Virginia.

Dr. David Anderson, KION political consultant, says the role of Vice President has changed over the years. Today, the Vice President assumes greater responsibilities and is no longer “a spare tire” position. The debate, he says, offers candidates a chance to show “what they bring to the table.”

Tonight at 5 p.m., Mariana Hicks speaks with local Democratic and Republican party leaders about their expectations for tonight’s debate.