GOP Trump Critics Cheer Pence's Debate Performance

Gov. Mike Pence was praised by Donald Trump's Republican opponents for his "effective" performance at Tuesday night's debate with Sen. Tim Kaine, specifically his poise, demeanor, and refusal to be baited, according to The Washington Examiner.

Conservative commentator Erick Erickson, a supporter of the movement to deny Trump the nomination at the Republican National Convention in July, changed his mind after the debate, at least on Pence.

I must retract my prior tweet from months ago about Pence being disqualified in 2020 by saying yes to Trump. He's really redeemed himself.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) October 5, 2016

Congrats to Tim Kaine for making even #NeverTrump Republicans adore Pence tonight. Kaine is the Trump of VP nominees.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) October 5, 2016

CNN contributor and Sen. Ted Cruz's former communications director Amanda Carpenter expressed similar views after the debate.

If the RNC would sell a PENCE 2016 sticker with Trump crossed off of it, I could buy it.

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) October 5, 2016

Weekly Standard writer Stephen Hayes applauded Pence for his criticism of Clinton's scandals regarding her private email server and the Clinton Foundation, but admitted that Pence didn't do much to help his running mate.

Pence: Effective in prosecuting a case against HRC. Less effective defending Trump.

— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) October 5, 2016

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