Everyone will say Mike Pence won the VP debate. But really, Donald Trump lost it.

When it was over, one thing was clearer than ever: No issue in this campaign — not the economy, not terrorism, not health care, not immigration — is as important as what comes out of Trump's mouth

Donald Trump
(Image credit: Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

An hour and a half before the vice-presidential debate began on Tuesday night, the Republican Party mistakenly announced on its website that Mike Pence had wiped the floor with Tim Kaine, proving beyond a doubt the GOP ticket's superiority and paving the way toward a glorious victory in November. Despite the fact that the suspense had been ruined, Pence and Kaine went ahead with their debate anyway, thrilling Americans with an extended session of bickering, interruptions, insincere smiles, and shaking heads.

When it was over, one thing was clearer than ever: No issue in this campaign — not the economy, not terrorism, not health care, not immigration — is as important as what comes out of Donald Trump's mouth. Trump's statements have been and will remain the central organizing factor of the 2016 election.

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Paul Waldman

Paul Waldman is a senior writer with The American Prospect magazine and a blogger for The Washington Post. His writing has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and web sites, and he is the author or co-author of four books on media and politics.