Full coverage of the 2016 Tim Kaine vs. Mike Pence Vice Presidential debate.

By Jon Wright Fay
10/07/2016 • 12:00 AM EST

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: Click or tap on any techniquesee definition - the definition will be displayed here.
that appears in bold to show its definition.
: common folksee definition - establishing a connection with an audience based on being just like one of them and being able to empathize with their concerns.
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: Clinton's foreign policy in Syria was actually more aggressive than Obama's.[1]
: exaggerationsee definition - stretching the truth to make something seem more powerful or meaningful than it actually is.
: Clinton merely set the stage for the talks, while the deal itself was negotiated by her successor, John Kerry.[1]
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: Clinton had little to do with renegotiating the status of forces agreement with Iraq.[2]
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Pence's mentions his positive economic data while in office, without mentioning that Kaine was in office during an economic downturn, while he was during an economic recovery.[3]
: slogansee definition - a brief, striking phrase that people will remember, which typically acts on emotional appeals.
: Do you want "a you're hired president in Hillary Clinton or a you're fired president in Donald Trump."
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Trump and Pence not wanting to raise the minimum wage is NOT a call for eliminating the minimum wage.[4]
: Pence highlights Kaine's repeated use of slogans.
: fault as virtuesee definition - technique where a weakness is presented as a strength, by focusing on any positive aspect of it.
: Pence claims Trump's successful tax avoidance and bankruptcy filings prove he's a great businessman, since he didn't go out of business.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: Kaine cites a very old stance of Trump on Social Security, which Trump has contradicted consistently in all recent comments.[5]
: now is not the timesee definition - discouraging critical evaluation of tragic events that might give rise to political action, by characterizing it as political opportunism.
: honor by associationsee definition - defending or championing cultural sacred cows, which transfers the respect, authority, sanction, and prestige associated with those symbols to the defender.
: Law enforcement.
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Clinton wanting to make it easier for many undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status, is NOT a policy of open borders.[6]
: going negativesee definition - characterizing criticism from an opponent as being underhanded, unfair, or indecent in some way.
: adding qualifierssee definition - adding an extra word or phrase to a response, which makes it ultimately meaningless, but still leaves the desired impression.
: Pence's denial that Trump said things "in the way [Kaine] said he said them," is not saying that Trump didn't say the things Kaine said he said.
: whataboutismsee definition - discrediting a criticism by accusing hypocrisy, in order to shift the focus away from oneself and onto others.
: Kaine shifts the focus from an offensive thing Clinton said on the campaign trail to offensive things Trump said on the campaign trail.[7]
: slogansee definition - a brief, striking phrase that people will remember, which typically acts on emotional appeals.
: "Deportation nation."
: exaggerationsee definition - stretching the truth to make something seem more powerful or meaningful than it actually is.
: The "16 million" figure includes not only 11 million undocumented, but also 4.5 million born to undocumented parents (which Trump hasn't stated he wants to deport).[8]
: exaggerationsee definition - stretching the truth to make something seem more powerful or meaningful than it actually is.
: Trump has talked about deporting the entire undocumented population of 11 million, but has not proposed deporting the 4.5 million with birthright citizenship.[8]
: Kaine delivers more talking pointssee definition - succinct, rehearsed statements designed to support persuasively one side taken on an issue.
.
: baseless claimsee definition - a bold statement that is presented as accepted or established fact, with no discernable evidence to support the claim.
: "It's absolutely inarguable" that America is less safe under Obama than it was under GW Bush.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: Clinton had little to do with the efforts to renegotiate the status of forces agreement with Iraq.[2]
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: All those identified in the Paris attack are citizens of the EU (not Syrian refugees), with most of the attackers born in either Belgium or France.[9]
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Trump said NATO is "obsolete," NOT that it should be dissolved.[10]
: exaggerationsee definition - stretching the truth to make something seem more powerful or meaningful than it actually is.
: Clinton merely set the stage for the Iran talks, while the deal itself was negotiated by her successor, John Kerry.[1]
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Pence said Putin was a "stronger" leader than Obama, NOT that Putin was a "better" leader than Obama.[11]
: proclaiming weaknesssee definition - using the words "weak" or "weakness" to instill negative emotions when associated with an opponent or group.
: proclaiming weaknesssee definition - using the words "weak" or "weakness" to instill negative emotions when associated with an opponent or group.
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Pence called Putin a "stronger leader," and Trump, "a leader, far more than our president," but NEITHER called Putin a "great leader."[11]
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Regarding the START Treaty, Kaine mentions reducing Russian stockpiles, without mentioning U.S. stockpiles will also be reduced as part of the agreement.[12]
: going negativesee definition - characterizing criticism from an opponent as being underhanded, unfair, or indecent in some way.
: the American peoplesee definition - promoting a position as having the overwhelming support of all Americans, while providing no evidence that it does.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: The $400 million "ransom payment" is money that was legally owed to Iran for their purchase of American military equipment in 1979 that was never delivered.[13]
: virtue wordssee definition - using words that are attractive to the value system of the target audience.
: strength
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Pence said Putin was a "stronger" leader than Obama, NOT that Putin was a "better" leader than Obama.[11]
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: Regarding the START Treaty, Kaine mentions reducing Russian stockpiles, without mentioning that U.S. stockpiles will be reduced too, as part of the agreement.[12]
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: About 87% of Clinton Foundation money goes to charitable causes.[14]
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Clinton supports late-term abortions, IF the life or health of the mother is at risk.[15]
: fault as virtuesee definition - technique where a weakness is presented as a strength, by focusing on any positive aspect of it.
Pence suggests that Trump saying things he doesn't mean is a sign of his authenticity.
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Trump said some, but NOT all immigrating Mexicans are rapists. He also said "some, I assume, are good people."[16]

Total number of techniques detected over the 1:32:53 runtime of this video clip:


References
1. "AP FACT CHECK: Claims in the VP debate". Associated Press. Published: October 05, 2016.

2. "Mike Pence: Hillary Clinton failed to keep U.S. troops in Iraq". Politifact. Published: October 04, 2016.

3. "Kaine vs. Pence on Unemployment". FactCheck.org. Published: August 05, 2016.

10. "Kaine wrongly says Trump backs end of NATO". Politifact. Published: October 10, 2017.

11. "Tim Kaine recalls Mike Pence comment on Vladimir Putin". Politifact. Published: October 05, 2016.

15. "FactChecking the VP Debate". FactCheck.org. Published: October 05, 2016.

16. "Tim Kaine falsely says Trump said 'all Mexicans are rapists'". Politifact. Published: August 08, 2016.