Iran nuclear issue figured in Pence-Kaine VP debate

Republican Mike Pense and Democratic Tim Kaine sparred for 90 minutes Tuesday, at Farmville, Virginia in the campaign’s only vice presidential debate between the running mates of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Kaine argued that the world is safer than it was eight years ago, in part due to the Iran nuclear deal, which “stopped” the nuclear program “without firing a shot.” Pence shot back: “You didn’t stop the nuclear weapons program. You essentially guaranteed that Iran will someday become a nuclear power, because there’s no limitations once the period time of the treaty comes off.”

Replying to Kaine’s claim that the nuclear deal prevented Iran from obtaining nukes, Pence said: “Well, that’s not what Israel thinks.” To this, Kaine retorted: “Gadi Eisenkot, you can go check it,” referring to the IDF chief of staff.

The Republican candidate rebuked his rival for “boycotting” Netanyahu’s March 2015 speech to the US Congress against the deal.
When Kaine questioned Trump’s capacity to be commander in chief and lead the nation in view of the doubts he raised about President Obama’s place of birth, his immigration policies and his attitude towards America’s neighbors, Pence accused Clinton of being the “architect of the Obama administration’s foreign policy.” The Middle East is “literally spinning out of control,” said Pence, and “America is less safe today.”