Cooper Allen

USA TODAY

Tim Kaine and Mike Pence didn't find a lot of common ground at Tuesday night's vice presidential debate in Farmville, Va. They disagreed on taxes, national security, Russia policy and even whether Pence was actually defending his running mate.

Kaine, a Virginia senator and Hillary Clinton's running mate, clearly had a strategy: Make Pence, the Indiana governor and Donald Trump's number two, defend some of his running mate's more provocative statements.

This led to countless interruptions and even a disagreement over whether Pence was actually defending Trump.

Kaine, more than an hour in, said Pence hadn't. Pence countered: "Don't put words in my mouth."

"I'm very, very happy to defend Donald Trump," he said.

More coverage of the vice presidential debate:

Pence, Kaine face off in VP debate: Catch up on what you missed

Veep debates: A brief history of memorable moments

Elaine Quijano is a pioneer debate moderator. Who is she?