The vice presidential debate never seems to draw the attention of the nation the same way the presidential debates do, and in the past, there has been no reason to really pay as much attention to it. This year, however, is different, seeing that the two 2016 vice presidential candidates are far more civilized and substantive than the presidential candidates. Longwood University has an opportunity to host an event that could really showcase what the next four years are going to be like in terms of actual policy decisions. We have a particular opportunity to see a senator, Tim Kaine (D.), from our own state, showcasing how he and former Secretary Clinton would move forward in the presidency. Indiana Governor Mike Pence will be given an opportunity to give the Republican Party a real voice of conservatism, unlike what they receive from Trump.
When analyzing what the candidates stand for, there are some very strong differences in how to move the country forward between Trump and Pence. Mike Pence is a very conservative governor and may have trouble connecting with the younger generation of the Republican Party, seeing that he and Trump have some different views on some very sensitive issues such as gay marriage. Pence hasn’t been a strong proponent of LGBTQ+ rights over the years and has opposed motions to protect the LGBTQ+ community. Pence has a very different style of conservatism from Trump, and his voice may fall on many deaf ears due to the shift in the base of the Republican party to the “Trump” style of conservatism. We saw what happened to the “true” conservatives in the Republican primary, and the same lack of support may find its way to Pence in the debate. He may also be hounded with questions in which he may be forced to defend things that Trump has said and done in the past, potentially turning off those who see him as the sensible counterpart to Trump.
Tim Kaine, on the other hand, has a better foundation to stand on with his Democratic supporters. He is a very popular senator, who will be debating in his home state of Virginia. His opinions will resonate much more with the base of the Democratic Party. His agenda and track record match much more with the platform of his running mate, Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton tends to have views that are much more supported by the American public. Issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, criminal justice reform and pro-choice with regards to abortion have a much higher public polling support than the conservative alternatives. Tim Kaine will be advocating for these positions without carrying the same baggage as Hillary Clinton. He has a chance to appeal to the American people without having to explain why to trust him.
Due to these factors, it is Kaine’s debate to lose. Pence has a chance to prove himself and stabilize the spiraling Republican party, but it will be far more challenging for him to do so than it will be for Kaine to get his points across. However, when the debate is over, I believe that the true winners will be the American people. This debate will have much more substance than the presidential debates and will give the American people a chance to hear what each side truly is thinking and what we can do to improve our country.
Joseph Hyman
President of The College Democrats of Longwood University
Class of 2019
