Whether he meant to or not, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence may have positioned himself this week as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination the next time it becomes available, four to eight years in advance.

Over the course of 90 minutes in Tuesday’s vice presidential debate, Pence accomplished what Donald Trump failed to do in front of an audience of 84 million a week prior. With a warm smile and a steady tone, the mild-mannered Midwesterner carefully and methodically built his case against Hillary Clinton, against her running mate Tim Kaine and against the progressive policy package the Democratic duo has relentlessly championed.