Why Mike Pence Didn’t Defend Donald Trump

If you only read one thing: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine’s one-and-only debate face off Tuesday night was more interesting than expected—which isn’t really saying much. It’s not going to change the race in any way, shape, or form, but does provide a window into how both campaigns view the contest with fewer than five weeks until Election Day. Kaine’s role was traditional, following the Clinton campaign’s view that it can win by out-working Trump by conventional means. That meant Kaine was forced to set aside the opportunity to show off his affable self to try to prosecute Donald Trump. He was clearly uncomfortable in the role of attack dog, and his frequent interruptions made him appear more pundit than (vice) presidential. Recognizing their underdog status and the unconventional nature of his campaign, Pence essentially tried to invent a new running-mate. The presidential nominee he spoke of is hardly recognizable for Trump, as Pence whitewashed controversial statements and positions—or simply declined to defend them. Pence won on style—projecting an image for the GOP ticket that hasn’t broken through—even if his substantive evasions are likely to be picked apart in the days ahead. Either way, it may all be for naught, as Trump and Hillary Clinton’s rematch on Sunday night in St. Louis will prove to have more effect on the race.

What Mike Pence’s refusal to defend his running-mate tells us about Mike Pence—and the GOP. A potential October surprise for Trump. And the Clinton Foundation had a filing issue too.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

Mike Pence Showed Donald Trump How to Debate
After a rocky performance by his running-mate, Pence showed Trump how it’s done [TIME]

Why Mike Pence Didn’t Defend Donald Trump
TIME’s Philip Elliott on the Indiana governor’s novel debate strategy

Trump’s October Surprise? It Could Be His 2015 Tax Return
With a key tax deadline approaching, Donald Trump could file a return crafted for public consumption [Wall Street Journal]

Donald Trump as Role Model? G.O.P. Senator ‘Absolutely’ Has Second Thoughts
Oops [New York Times]

Sound Off

“Six times tonight I have said to Governor Pence, I can’t imagine how you can defend your running mate’s position on one issue after the next. And in all six cases, he’s refused to defend his running mate.” — Kaine to Pence during the veep debate

“If your son or my son handled classified information the way Hillary Clinton did they’d be court martialed.” — Pence to Kaine during the veep debate

Bits and Bites

Read a Transcript of the Vice Presidential Debate [TIME]

Mike Pence Defends Refugee Plan Blocked by Judges [TIME]

Fact Check: Claims in the VP debate [Associated Press]

Watch Mike Pence Get the Name of the VP Debate Location Wrong [TIME]

Tim Kaine Brought Zingers With Him to the Vice Presidential Debate [TIME]

‘That Mexican Thing’ Took on a Life of Its Own Online [TIME]

Obama DOJ drops charges against alleged provider of Libyan weapons [Politico]

Clinton Foundation had filing issues, too [CNN]

Steve Scully: the understudy moderator [Politico]

Messaging With Mondale: Real-Time Reactions From an Ex-Vice President [New York Times]

How irrelevant is the vice presidency? For nearly a fifth of U.S. history, no one held the office [LA Times]

What SNL’s weekend anchors really think of 2016 [Politico]