Could the vice presidential candidates even hear the questions while they bickered?
Oct 5, 2016, 5:42 AM | Updated: 10:12 am
The vice-presidential debate between Tim Kaine and Mike Pence last night was actually very reassuring. They were so calm and collected. They reminded me of those happy people on the Cymbalta commercials.
But I noticed what may have been another microphone problem. I noticed it during the very first question, which was: what makes you ready to be president if necessary.
Jason and Burns Twitter reaction to vice-presidential debate
“What about your qualities equip you to step into that role at a moment’s notice?”
And Senator Kaine answered:
“This is a very special place. Sixty-five years ago, a young, courageous woman, Barbara Johns, led a walkout of her high school, Moton High School. She made history by protesting school segregation. She believed our nation was stronger together. And that walkout led to the Brown v. Board of Education decision that moved us down the path toward equality.”
Did he hear the question? Why does he start talking about the civil rights movement?
Then it was Governor Pence’s turn to say what makes him qualified. Here he is about a minute into his answer.
“I have to tell you, I’m a — I’m a small-town boy from a place not too different from Farmville. I grew up with a cornfield in my backyard.”
That’s very nice. But so what?
And it kept happening. Like when Elaine Quijano noted the recent attacks by home-grown terrorists living here legally:
“What specific tools would you use to prevent those kinds of attacks?”
Pence’s answer:
“Donald Trump and I are committed to suspending the Syrian refugee program,” he said.
Except she didn’t ask about Syrians. But then, of course, Kaine had to respond to the answer that had nothing to do with the question:
“We want to keep people out if they’re dangerous. Donald Trump said to keep them out if they’re Muslim.”
It’s like when I come home and ask, “What should we have for dinner?” And my wife answers, “your clothes are on the floor.”
That’s the real trouble with this country today. None of us can hear each other.
Related: History proves that vice-presidential debates can be entertaining
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