DEBATE REACTION – AT 11:46 P.M. ET:  It's pretty clear from reaction across the internet that Republican Governor Mike Pence won tonight's vice-presidential debate.  The CNN poll, just out, shows a 48-42 win for Pence.  Not a knockout, but thoroughly respectable.

I agree with the reaction.  Pence was not only vice-presidential, he was presidential.  Some are already calling this his audition for 2020.  Fine with me.  Mike Pence is a solid governor of Indiana, a committed conservative, an experienced former member of Congress, and a man who should have run for president this year.

Pence was reasoned, and he inspired confidence, something in short supply in this election campaign.  His opponent, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, was perfectly serviceable, but sounded rehearsed and programmed.  He reminded me of a high-school guidance counselor who doubles as the girls' soccer coach.  Kaine also interrupted Pence too much, and became annoying.

The problem, of course, is that Pence's victory may not move the needle much in the presidential race.  People usually don't vote for vice president.  And, ironically, Pence's performance showed dramatically the defects of Donald Trump as a candidate at the top of the ticket.  Pence may actually have done Trump some harm through the comparison. 

During the debate, Trump was tweeting mean comments about Tim Kaine.  As several commentators said, someone should have taken away Trump's iPhone.  It was as if he was fearful that the camera would be off him, and on Pence, for 90 minutes. 

The real polls, scientifically done, will be out in about three days.  They'll be taken in time for Sunday's presidential debate in St. Louis.  Republicans will hope that Pence closed a bit of the gap between Clinton and Trump, which in recent days has reflected a Clinton lead of a bit more than three points.  If Trump will listen, and prepare thoroughly for Sunday, he might reverse the current trend in this race.  If Trump doesn't listen, and starts going off the course, Clinton will continue her momentum, win the election, and Pence will start building for the campaign four years hence, as a man already known as a national figure. 

October 4,  2016