Sometimes, Less is More. As a lifelong Democrat, I was disappointed by Kaine's debate performance

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia on Tuesday repeatedly provoked Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana with criticism of his running mate, Donald J. Trump, trying to make him answer for some of Mr. Trump’s more provocative comments and contentious proposals as the men faced off in the sole vice-presidential debate.

But it may not have worked. Commentators and critics said Mr. Pence successfully played defense for 90 minutes, dodging, denying and ultimately appearing more stately as he handled an unenviable challenge with remarkable steadiness.

Here is a sampling of the post-debate reaction:

“My Take: VP Debate goes to Pence — he showed less can sometimes be more — Kaine looked over-caffeinated; Pence looked calm and reassuring.”

Edward Mejia Davis, senior producer for CNN

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“Pence is doing well tonight but he will never unlock the big orange anchor around his neck because he answered the ‘will you be VP’ question wrong.”

Tim Miller, former spokesman for Jeb Bush

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“This VP debate — wordy defense of status quo vs. detail-free demand for change — shows how a generic Republican could be thumping Hillary Clinton in 2016.”

David Rennie, Washington bureau chief for The Economist

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“I understand why this debate would make Republicans wish they had nominated Pence. I don’t understand why it would make anyone vote Trump.”

Ezra Klein, founder of Vox

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“What Trump needs desperately is someone to assure the nervous middle that there will be a grown-up in the Oval Office next to the tantrum-throwing toddler. It was very effective, I’d say, on that count, especially with Republican voters who were looking for reassurance.”

Andrew Sullivan, blogger for New York magazine

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“Kaine did a better job defending Clinton than Pence did defending Trump. But on stylistic points, Pence probably won.”

Matt Viser, deputy Washington bureau chief for The Boston Globe

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“I wish Kaine hadn’t interrupted Pence as much. Because he was clearly better prepared and could’ve waited to get his points across.”

April Reign, managing editor of BroadwayBlack.com

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“Moderator is great (ACTUAL ISSUES!). Pence is terrific. Kaine reminds me of Paul Begala: smirking, interrupting and insulting.”

Ann Coulter, conservative commentator and author

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“Good grief. Kaine is sounding (Trump doesn’t pay taxes) like a phonographic record in an earthquake.”

Kimberley Strassel, Potomac Watch columnist for The Wall Street Journal editorial page

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“Honestly this debate would be a draw were Pence not handicapped by the voluminous crazy of his running mate.”

Jelani Cobb, staff writer at The New Yorker

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“Pence is giving the country a very good preview of how the Republican Party is going to move beyond Trump. Just pretend he never happened.”

Alec MacGillis, politics reporter for ProPublica