Donald Trump’s campaign manager on Wednesday praised Gov. Mike Pence’s preparation for and performance at the vice presidential debate last night, and vowed the top of the ticket was preparing just as diligently for his second showdown with Hillary Clinton on Sunday.
“He came incredibly prepared,” Conway said on MSNBC. “I thought Mike Pence was incredibly tough with Tim Kaine without getting down in the mud with Tim Kaine.”
Kaine’s performance, while praised on substance, was criticized for his constant interruptions and interjections over Pence. Observers in both parties generally agreed that Pence notched a victory Tuesday evening, and even Clinton campaign chair John Podesta admitted Wednesday that Pence “seemed sort of likeable.”
Conway called the selection of Pence for the GOP ticket “the first exercise of judgement and leadership after Donald Trump became the nominee.”
Although rumors swirled at the time that Trump had last-minute doubts about his running mate pick, Pence has proven to be a capable and reliable presence on the campaign trail.
Conway said she was optimistic about Trump’s upcoming appearance in the second presidential debate. The debate on Sunday at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., will feature undecided voters asking questions of the candidates for half of the 90-minute event.
“We prepare constantly,” she said. “The town hall format is really a sweet spot for him.”
Trump’s campaign chief also dismissed suggestions that the nominee had been unhappy with Pence’s performance because he failed to defend Trump against some of Kaine’s attacks.
“That’s not true,” Conway said, adding that she spoke to Trump several times throughout the evening.
