With two of the most polarizing presidential candidates in American history, their combined rhetoric and baggage has seemingly left their vice presidential picks in the dark.
However, Lafayette County members from differing political ideologies have taken note of both Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. With the sole Vice Presidential debate taking place on Oct. 4 at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, citizens tuned in to gain a better profile of each nominee.
Republican leaning voters like Barbara Hardin [age, 65+] of Oxford, who manages rental property in the area, was impressed with Pence’s performance during the debate.
“I thought he was very patient and in control. He was knowledgeable and knew what he was talking about,” Hardin said.
Resident of Bruce, Mississippi and local pastor, J.R. Eaton [age, 34] also mentioned Pence’s calm demeanor as something he liked in the VP candidate. Both Hardin and Eaton, attribute Pence’s Christian core values as a quality they appreciate in Donald Trump’s running mate, and believe Trump’s pick of Pence to have been a wise and thought out decision.
The two republican voters differ in whether Pence as the presidential nominee would make them feel more comfortable versus Trump. Eaton would feel a closer connection and draw sharper support of Pence due to the governor’s strong ties with faith. Hardin sees that anyone would suffice over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, whether that be Trump or Pence.
Zachary Shaw Lafayette County VP Reaction Page 2
Polled democrats in the area had a different take away from the debate that was hosted by CBS News.
“Tim Kaine impressed me but I found his role as attack dog a bit not his personality and once he stopped interrupting and settled down he was more successful,” Oxford resident and Project Coordinator at the University of Mississippi, Nancy Jones [age, 44-64] said.
Full-time Ole Miss student, Logan Wallace [age, 20], from Naperville, Illinois, settles near the moderate end of the Democratic Party, but was rather more impressed with Pence’s performance over Kaine’s.
“Pence semi-impressed me for the mere fact that he’s actually a sensible person and showed poise that his running mate does not.”
Wallace also made clear that this election cycle has been “atrocious”, with poor party nominees for both the RNC and DNC. Therefore, he would feel slightly better if Pence and Kaine were the presidential party nominees instead. If that were the case, it could possibly swing Wallace’s vote from blue to red.
“I would have to look more at their [VP candidates] respective policies and character without the influence of their running mates.”
However, Jones takes a more hardline approach in her views as a democrat, and does not see Pence as a suitable fit for the presidency. She instead views Clinton with high praise, and believes she is a better party nominee than her VP choice.
Zachary Shaw Lafayette County VP Reaction Page 3
“I think that Secretary Clinton has decades of experience … First Lady of Arkansas, a partner in the Rose Law firm, First Lady of the United States, a U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State.” Jones said. “I don’t think there has ever been anyone as qualified to be president.”
In the center of the isle, one might say the independents are stuck between a rock and a hard place in this current election cycle.
Kalen Francois [age, 21], a full-time student at Ole Miss from McDonough, Georgia, who plans to vote for libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson, sees that the VP candidates are taking this election more seriously than their counterparts, and in effect balance out their running mates in multiple ways.
Francois, who favors conservative views, is a fan of Pence and would support him on Nov. 8 if he was the republican nominee over Trump.
“ I do agree with Trump on some things,” Francois said. “However, I’m not a huge fan of Trump because he seems rigid and heartless. I like Pence because he is always honest about how he feels about Trump’s words and actions; he doesn’t defend Trump very much. Plus, the issues that I don’t agree with Trump are the same issues I agree with Pence on.”
Similar to Francois, full-time Ole Miss student, Katelyn Morrison [age, 19], from Brandon, Mississippi has been turned off by both major party candidates, and in result has turned a deaf ear to the political campaigns by now. So much as to ignoring the VP and presidential debates. Morrison does not see that either Pence or Kaine would be a better choice than Trump or Clinton.
“I don’t see them [Pence and Kaine] to know anymore or be as prepared as Trump or Clinton,” Morrison said.
As a true middle of the road independent, Morrison believes only through bipartisan cooperation that strides in America will be made.
“I think that our country should come together as both democrat and republican if we want to improve and get anywhere.”
The Tuesday night debate between Pence and Kaine saw a television viewership of 37.2 million people tune in to watch the candidates in a 90 minute discussion. This was the lowest television viewership for a VP debate since 2000, which totaled 28.5 million viewers according to CNN. Of the over 37 million who chose to watch, only 3.4 million came from the 18 to 34 age bracket.
“The VP debate is extremely important because I think many people are overlooking the VP candidates for this election,” Francois said. “With all of the drama and name calling taking place between Trump and Hillary, the VP’s are rarely given a chance to express their stance on various issues in comparison to their presidential running mate.”
Zachary Shaw