We declare Virginia’s own Tim Kaine the winner of Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate.

Sen. Kaine, a former Richmond mayor, governor and now U.S. senator, typically is easygoing, with a personality that optimizes the good, rather than focusing on the bad.

But in the high-stakes televised debate with Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence of Indiana, the Virginia Democrat came out swinging — going after Gov. Pence for the pernicious behavior and practices of Donald J. Trump that would make him a toxic leader for this nation.

Gov. Pence, who reportedly also is a mild-mannered man, could say little to defend Mr. Trump’s continued public hiding of his income tax records that reportedly might show he has avoided paying federal income tax for 18 years.

Gov. Pence also could say nothing when Sen. Kaine asked why Mr. Trump continually disrespects women, Mexicans, African-Americans and others by his actions and remarks.

Gov. Pence also could say little to defend Mr. Trump’s assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin — a dictator to his own people who invaded Crimea and seized the peninsula and the government from the Ukraine — is a stronger leader than President Obama.

Instead, Gov. Pence tried to go after Sen. Kaine for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s emails and her singular remark about Mr. Trump’s supporters.

Sen. Kaine distilled the debate perfectly: Gov. Pence is asking for people to vote for someone he can’t defend.

We believe Sen. Kaine, while uncharacteristically aggressive, won this debate.

And with only five weeks left in this campaign to choose the next leader of our country, we remind voters once again of the importance to get registered by Monday, Oct. 17, and to cast your ballot on Nov. 8 for the person who you believe will best represent you and your interests.

We believe Clinton-Kaine is the right choice for the country.