The problem to be solved is, not what form of government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect.
- James Madison
BUYER’S REMORSE: Just as conservatives seemed to be rallying around the Republican nominee, VP candidate Mike Pence exposed what Donald Trump lacks during Tuesday night’s debate. Time and time again Tim Kaine tried to get Pence to falter by attacking Trump’s statements, policies and character - as well as Pence’s record. The IN Governor did not take the bait and maintained his calm and level-headed demeanor causing some Republicans to dream out loud that he should be the one debating Hillary Clinton this coming Sunday. Although Pence helps calm the nerves of conservative voters and House Republicans alike, they believe if he were on the top of the ticket, they’d be on their way to taking back the White House.
QUE SERA SERA: As the campaign’s gear up for Sunday night’s second presidential debate, we’ll look to see if either candidate will change their strategy. Trump will certainly be more focused on this debate and go after Clinton’s email scandal and her foundation. The question being asked is whether Trump will be more Pencive in his performance or will he allow Clinton to goad him again? Trump is taking this one more seriously rehearsing in a hastily-arranged town hall in NH last night - and according to his team - the format should play to his strengths. Republican allies are urging him to keep the focus on Clinton’s misdeeds and missteps throughout the debate, while others are pushing him to talk more in depth about his policy prescriptions for the country. We think he has to pull off both or the post-debate narrative will be more of the same and the window to November 8 may be jammed shut.
WIN THE BATTLE, LOSE THE WAR?: Post VP debate consensus shows that Pence was the clear victor over Tim Kaine. The longer term fallout from the debate though seems to favor the Clinton ticket as her campaign was on the air and the internet within hours using key lines from the debate as ready-made attack ads against the Republican ticket. Although Kaine appeared overly prepared and aggressive, it was a crafty strategy to get Pence to deny or avoid defending his running mate’s many controversial positions. Over the decades, it's become evident that the VP debate itself doesn’t convince voters which side to pick, but by keeping the post debate message focused on Trump’s high negatives, Pence’s victory may not be so clear after all...
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE…:Just as Clinton’s campaign was building up momentum to pull away from Trump, she was struck by her own worst enemy. Former President Bill Clinton, love him or leave him, is one of the country’s savviest politicians and yet goes off on President Obama’s crown jewel policy, the ACA. By calling it the craziest thing in the world, he undermines the president as well as Hillary’s campaign as she is inextricably linked to the law and the president. Could it just be lingering resentment that Obama was able to pass a health care law that he was unable to pull off in his eight years in the White House?
