US election: Pence and Kaine square off in vice-presidential debate
US election: Pence and Kaine fight over Trump taxes
(35 minutes later)
Republican vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence and his Democratic counterpart Tim Kaine have taken to the stage to do battle in a debate.
Republican vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence and his Democratic counterpart Tim Kaine have argued over Donald Trump's taxes in a TV debate.
The duel between Mr Pence, the governor of Indiana, and Mr Kaine, a Virginia senator, is under way at Longwood University in Virginia.
Mr Pence, the governor of Indiana, said Republican presidential candidate Mr Trump had "brilliantly" navigated the tax code to avoid paying federal taxes.
Mr Kaine immediately questioned how Mr Pence could defend Donald Trump.
But Mr Kaine, a Virginia senator, challenged whether it was "smart" not to pay for the military or for schools.
But his Republican rival hit back by criticising Hillary Clinton over her private email and foreign policy.
Mr Trump's tax arrangements have come under scrutiny in recent days.
He has refused to release his tax returns, but the New York Times revealed he may have avoided paying taxes for the last 18 years.
This was possible because Mr Trump, a hotel developer, suffered huge business losses of more than $900 million in 1995. He has not denied the truth of the story.
Follow live updates on the debate
Follow live updates on the debate
Mr Pence, an evangelical Christian who is favoured by social conservatives, will have to reassure Republicans that Mr Trump has a presidential temperament after a week of turmoil.
Pouncing on Mr Trump's admission that he was "smart" to avoid paying tax, Mr Kaine said: "I guess all of us who do [pay taxes] are stupid?"
Aside from the tax returns, the campaign has had to defend Mr Trump against questions about his charitable foundation as well as reports that he behaved inappropriately to women on the reality show The Apprentice.
The 57-year-old senator began the bad-tempered debate at Longwood University in Virginia by questioning how Mr Pence could defend Donald Trump.
But his Republican rival hit back by criticising Hillary Clinton over her use of private email and a foreign policy that had sent parts of the world into a spin.
In other debate highlights:
Mr Trump praised dictators, said Mr Kaine, and had a "personal Mount Rushmore" made up of Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The debate was hosted by CBS News' Elaine Quijano and followed last week's presidential debate, which drew a record 84 million viewers, according to Nielsen.
More on the debate
More on the debate
Why the US vice-presidential debate matters
Why the US vice-presidential debate matters
Who is Indiana Governor Mike Pence?
Who is Indiana Governor Mike Pence?
Tim Kaine: The Spanish-speaking, anti-abortion Democratic senator
Tim Kaine: The Spanish-speaking, anti-abortion Democratic senator
Governor Pence, 57, will likely face questions of his own regarding his tenure at Indiana's helm.
He sparked a public outcry after signing a bill into law in last year that critics said discriminated against the LGBT community by allowing businesses to refuse service over religious beliefs.
He also signed into law one of the strictest abortions laws in the country in March.
Meanwhile, Senator Kaine will play his part in defending his running mate, Hillary Clinton, against attacks about her use of private email while secretary of state as well as the Clinton Foundation.
But Mr Kaine's record could also be a line of attack for his Republican rival.
The 57-year-old former Virginia governor and Catholic former missionary will likely come under fire about his positions on abortion and the death penalty.
Why it matters - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Farmville, Virginia
Historically, the vice-presidential debate is given scant media attention compared to the top-of-the-ticket showdowns.
With one notable exception - Palin v Biden in 2008- the television audience is significantly smaller as well.
Chances are a showdown between two middle-age white men with Mid-Western roots isn't going to move the needle as far as national attention goes.
For political junkies longing for a fix before Sunday's second presidential debate, however, the event can reveal the state of the two campaigns and what could be in store as the race heads into its final weeks.
Read more from Anthony
The debate is hosted by CBS News' Elaine Quijano and will last about 90 minutes, with nine segments that each focus on a single topic.
The match-up follows last week's presidential debate, which drew a record 84 million viewers, according to Nielsen.
