By Dave Andrusko
Pro-life Mike Pence versus Pro-abortion Tim Kaine
With all the fireworks associated with the first Donald Trump/Hillary Clinton debate (and with two more in the offing), perhaps tonight’s one vice presidential face off will draw less attention than usual.
Or it may do just the opposite–attract many more voters than the usual 20% fewer than the presidential debate, given what a unique campaign this has become, and promises to remain.
In either case, pro-lifers should watch the debate which will take place at Longwood University, which is roughly an hour west of Richmond, Virginia, and three hours from where we live.
What a contrast. Pro-life Indiana Gov. (and six term congressman) Mike Pence versus pro-abortion Virginia Senator (and former governor) Tim Kaine.
Pence is a pro-lifer’s pro-lifer. Then Congressman Pence served on the House Judiciary Committee, and on the Subcommittee on the Constitution. As a member of these key panels, he participated actively in hearings and committee action on a number of major pro-life bills, including the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, enacted in 2003, and the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, enacted in 2004.
He was an early leader of efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. In the current climate of the Obama Administration’s assault on religious liberties, the selection of Pence, a staunch defender of religious freedom, is particularly helpful.
Pence was elected Indiana governor in 2012 and is hugely popular with Indiana Right to Life, NRLC’s staff affiliate.
“Gov. Pence is devoted to protecting the unborn and their mothers,” said Indiana Right to Life President and CEO, Mike Fichter. “Gov. Pence’s pro-life stance is more than a talking point; Gov. Pence has put his pro-life position into action time and time again. Indiana is a better state for the unborn and their mothers because of the Governor’s pro-life leadership.”
Kaine is your classic “personally opposed” Democrat whose one quibble with abortion on demand–he formerly supported the Hyde Amendment–quickly vanished after Clinton chose him to be her running mate. With Virginia up for grabs, the theory was and is that Kaine could help carry a swing state with 13 electoral votes.
Abortion did not come up in the first presidential debate. It most certainly will Tuesday night.
Unlike Kaine, Pence has been a very visible defender and explainer of Donald Trump. By contrast, the Baltimore Sun reports, Kaine
has rarely faced tough questions on a tightly managed campaign that’s so far been heavy with private glitzy fundraisers and lighter moments on TV.
The two-hour debate starts at 9:00 EST. Elaine Quijano of CBS News will be the debate’s sole moderator.