Kaine Thinks Washington, Pence Thinks America

The responses given by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine to the final question of their only debate Tuesday night offered an incisive look into the deep contrasts in approach and ideology between the two tickets.

“It has been a divisive campaign,” debate moderator Elaine Quijano of CBS News said. “Sen. Kaine, if your ticket wins, what specifically are you going to do to unify the country and reassure the people who voted against you?”

When that happens, the American people are going to stand tall, stand together, and we’ll have the kind of unity that has been missing for way too long.”

Kaine responded quickly that Hillary Clinton has demonstrated an ability to work “across the aisle” with Republicans in office.

“I’m really amazed, Elaine, as I talked to Republican senators how well they regard and respect Hillary Clinton,” Kaine responded. “She has a track record of working across the aisle to make things happen.”

Kaine also touted his own track record of bipartisanship in office.

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“I was governor of Virginia with two Republican houses, and in the Senate, I have good working relationships across the aisle.”

Kaine’s otherwise bland, political response nevertheless betrayed his, and Clinton’s, belief that the people who matter are people with power. Republicans who wield influence in the Establishment are who Kaine would seek parity with.

In sharp contrast, Pence focused on restoring pride and prosperity to the American people as the way to bring about national healing.

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“The American people want to see our nation standing tall on the world stage again. They want to see us supporting our military, rebuilding our military, command the respect of the world, and they want to see the American economy off to the races again. They want to see an American comeback.”

Rather than focusing on an Establishment utopia where those with power work together in isolation to steer the nation, Pence offered a vision of leadership that would lift everyday Americans.

“And when Donald Trump becomes president of the United States, we’re going to have a stronger America. When you hear him say he wants to make America great again, when we do that, I truly do believe the American people are going to be standing taller,” Pence concluded. “They are going to see that real change can happen after decades of talking about it. And when that happens, the American people are going to stand tall, stand together, and we’ll have the kind of unity that has been missing for way too long.”