In an election where the most boisterous candidate tends to take the win, it’s easy to forget about the supporting actors. However, it is quite possible that the vice president nominees may become far more important than their running mates.

It seems that the first, and only, vice presidential debate was what we were all wishing for in the presidential debate. Instead of becoming a raging war of “who has the worst past,” it remained calm, political, and productive. Just as a debate should.

Unlike the first presidential debate, there was a clear winner here. While both nominees put forth good points and defended their running mates the best they could, Governor Pence remained calm and collected throughout, stressing the clear plans he and Mister Trump had been discussing as well as catching Governor Kaine up on the financial instability of Virginia compared to Indiana.

It also should be noted that Governor Pence had an extremely difficult job as he had to defend a running mate whose scandals seem to completely override his expertise; however, the governor handled this task in the best way possible, avoiding and dodging questions if he could and distracting to Secretary Clinton’s shortcomings if he had to.

On occassion, Governor Pence would also look directly into the camera while speaking, making a debate that, sometimes seems so distant, very present. On the other side of the table, Governor Kaine interrupted Governor Pence during his time and was often unable to answer the question in a clear manner. Although Governor Kaine’s behavior would have been perfectly acceptable in the first presidential debate, it was such a contrast to Governor Pence’s demeanor, that he came off as extremely rude instead of passionate.

Governor Kaine did get in some good moments, preventing his opponent from making some extremely important points by talking over him and ensuring he had the final word in almost every topic. He was able to clear up some of Secretary Clinton’s past scandals and appeared to make a final declaration on where he stood in regards to abortion. As a whole, both sides acted as a future president should and if votes came down to vice presidents, both of these men would be respectable options. They both made an impression and further enforced their running mates’ beliefs. In the dazzle of the debates, speeches, and scandals, it’s easy to forget about the vice president nominees. However, if this debate has shown us anything, it’s that vice presidents play a vital role in our country’s future.

On election day we aren’t just voting for president; we’re voting for vice president too. And that can make a world of difference.