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US election: Pence and Kaine fight over Trump taxes US election: Trump 'fool' and Clinton 'weak', say VPs
(about 2 hours later)
Republican vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence and his Democratic counterpart Tim Kaine have argued over Donald Trump's taxes in a TV debate. Donald Trump was likened to a "fool or maniac" while Hillary Clinton was dismissed as "weak and feckless" in the vice-presidential debate 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. Democratic Virginia Senator Tim Kaine and Republican Indiana Governor Mike Pence clashed on a series of topics ranging from abortion to Russia.
But Mr Kaine, a Virginia senator, challenged whether it was "smart" not to pay for the military or for schools. But they focused their sharp exchanges on both Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump.
Mr Trump's tax arrangements have come under scrutiny in recent days. Mr Pence painted Mrs Clinton as a "weak and feckless" leader who failed on foreign policy as secretary of state.
Meanwhile, Mr Kaine invoked Republican President Ronald Reagan when talking about the dangers of nuclear weapons under a Trump presidency.
He said Mr Reagan had once warned that nuclear proliferation could lead to "some fool or maniac" triggering a "catastrophic event", adding that he was referring to someone like Mr Trump.
The 57-year-old senator also criticised Mr Trump's temperament, saying the Republican nominee "can't start a Twitter war with Miss Universe without shooting himself in the foot".
In one of the more heated moments, Mr Kaine sharply criticised Mr Trump's praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin and questioned his business ties with Russian oligarchs.
Mr Trump praised dictators, said Mr Kaine, and had a "personal Mount Rushmore" made up of Mr Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
"If you don't know the difference between dictatorship and leadership, then you've got to go back to a fifth-grade civics class," Mr Kaine said.
The debate as it happened
Who is Indiana Governor Mike Pence?
Tim Kaine: Spanish-speaking, anti-abortion Democrat
All you need to know about the US election
But Mr Pence contended Mr Putin would respect Mr Trump because of his strength. "Plain and simple."
He added that "the small and bullying leader of Russia has been stronger on the world stage than this administration - that's stating painful facts".
That's not an endorsement of Mr Putin, he said. "That's an indictment of the weak and feckless leadership of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama."
Pence did what was needed - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Farmville
It was a scattershot debate, and at times the subjects changed so jarringly it felt like the speed round of a game show. In the end, however, Mike Pence did what he had to do.
The Republican vice-presidential nominee's goal was to reassure Republicans panicked by Donald Trump's debate performance last week and his bungling in the days that followed that cooler heads will prevail. He did that.
His calm, steady style - honed over years as a talk show host - stood in marked contrast to Democrat Tim Kaine's over-caffeinated demeanour and rapid-fire attacks.
At times, of course, it seemed like Mr Pence was talking about a Donald Trump who doesn't exist - one who doesn't have a year-long history of inflammatory statements and controversial stands. And Mr Kaine was quick to call him on it.
Mr Pence's accomplishment, however, was to defend his traditional conservatism and make the case to wandering Republicans - particularly educated suburban voters - that they still have a home in the party. On Tuesday night, Mr Pence stopped the bleeding.
At best, however, he has turned the page on a disastrous week and given Mr Trump an opportunity to get back in the race. It is up to him to make the most of it.
The two candidates also clashed on Mr Trump's tax arrangements, which 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.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.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 Mr Pence defended his running mate's practices, adding that he was "smart" to avoid paying tax.
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?" Mr Kaine shot back: "I guess all of us who do [pay taxes] are stupid?"
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:In other debate highlights:
Much of the debate focused on foreign policy. Mr Pence said "America is less safe today" than it was before President Obama was elected. The two pro-life candidates also clashed over Mr Trump suggesting women should be punished for having abortions.
And he said the blame for the growth of the Islamic State group should lie at the feet of Mrs Clinton, who served as secretary of state under Mr Obama during his first term. Though Mr Trump later corrected himself, Mr Pence chalked it up to his inexperience: "Look, he's not a polished politician like you and Hillary Clinton."
Russian President Vladimir Putin would respect Mr Trump because of his strength, said his running mate. "Plain and simple."
But Mr Trump praised dictators, said Mr Kaine, and had a "personal Mount Rushmore" made up of Mr 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.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
Why the US vice-presidential debate matters
Who is Indiana Governor Mike Pence?
Tim Kaine: The Spanish-speaking, anti-abortion Democratic senator