TONIGHT'S DEBATE – AT 10:51 A.M. ET:  The Washington Times presents the the candidates:

One thing is for sure. Donald Trump has a running mate with impeccable conservative credentials. In fact, Gov. Mike Pence has the best conservative credentials in 50 years according to the American Conservative Union, which ought to know. “Mike Pence is the most conservative vice presidential nominee the country has seen in 50 years,” the organization said after reviewing Mr. Pence’s legislative and voting patterns, declaring him to be “99 percent alignment” with their tenets.

The conservative group annually reviews the records of federal and state elected officials on a scale of zero to 99 points, assigning them an “ACU rating” based on support for bedrock conservative issues. A certain Democratic rival is at the opposite end of the ideological spectrum, however.

“The single most liberal vice-presidential nominee in our lifetime is Tim Kaine, the only nominee with a perfect 0 percent lifetime rating,” the organization said, adding that the rating “puts him to the left” of then-Sens. Barack Obama who had a 10 percent rating, and Hillary Clinton (8 percent); Sen. Bernie Sanders has a 6 percent rating.

In the meantime, the press is painting Mr. Pence as a kind of conservative booster shot for Donald Trump’s campaign. Mr. Pence’s critical role is as “Trump’s emissary to evangelicals,” suggested The Associated Press. The Hill bills Mr. Pence as a “jump-start” for his running mate while Politico offers starker terms: “Hill Republicans bet it all on Pence.”

David Kochel, a strategist for former presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, advises Mr. Pence to take a risk, and perhaps be in touch with his inner Trump.

“I predict a steady, if boring, vice presidential debate performance that will be the focus of one full news cycle — probably right up to the moment Mr. Trump next tweets, after which attention will shift back to the main event between him and Mrs. Clinton. All of that is what Mr. Pence is likely to do. But what should he do? My advice in two words: Go rogue. Instead of offering explanations for Donald Trump, he should adopt Mr. Trump’s penchant for speaking his mind and being authentic,” Mr. Kochel wrote in the Wall Street Journal.

COMMENT:  And I agree with the advice.  Pence is a pro.  He can hit the other side without being obnoxious about it.

And Kaine, presented to us by the media as a "moderate," is a solid liberal, out of touch with the need for change from the leftist policies of Barack Obama.

I hope Pence shakes it up.  Advance word is that he will be tough.  I hope so.

October 4, 2016