The Latest: Pence rallies supporters in New Hampshire
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Mike Pence in the U.S. presidential race (all times EDT):
2:05 p.m.
Donald Trump's running mate is rallying supporters in New Hampshire before heading to New York for the presidential debate.
Mike Pence said at a Monday rally that the debate will give a chance for Trump and Hillary Clinton to meet with no media filters or parsing of words.
Pence was introduced by former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu. His son, Chris Sununu, is running for governor.
Pierre Provost came to the rally with a newspaper clipping showing him at a 1980 Ronald Reagan rally in New Hampshire. Provost said that's the last political event he's attended. He said he's part of a "solid majority" who backs Trump.
He said, "We're the quiet deplorables," referring to a term Clinton used to describe some of Trump's supporters.
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1:30 p.m.
Tim Kaine is suggesting Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will have a tough time in Monday night's debate because Trump can't run and hide when the questions get tough.
The Democratic vice presidential is also predicting a strong performance from his running mate, Hillary Clinton. Kaine says the debate will reveal whether Trump has any details for his plans and can manage not to lie.
Kaine was speaking at a rally in Lakeland, Florida. He says he'll be on the edge of his seat and taking his own notes in preparation for his debate next week against Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence.
Kaine will greet voters at a debate watch party in Orlando before the debate begins.
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12:10 p.m.
Mike Pence says he's spending "a little bit of time" preparing for next week's vice presidential debate.
The Republican vice presidential nominee says that includes "a little bit of studying" and holding mock debate sessions with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. He was interviewed on the Hugh Hewitt radio show Monday.
Pence plans to attend Monday night's debate between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, which he described as "the main event." He plans to take the weekend off from campaigning to prepare for his Oct. 4 debate with Democrat Tim Kaine.
Pence says he is doing his "level best to be ready" by "brushing up" on issues outside of his day job as governor of Indiana.
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12 p.m.
Donald Trump's running mate is calling Vladimir Putin a "small and bullying leader."
Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said that any statements he and Trump have made about Putin are not endorsements of the Russian president.
Trump has called Putin "a leader - unlike what we have in this country."
Pence says the comments are an indictment of the leadership of President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Pence said Putin's actions in Ukraine and elsewhere show that the U.S. has a weakened position in the world.
Pence was interviewed Monday on the Hugh Hewitt radio show.
Pence is holding a rally in New Hampshire before traveling with Trump to attend Monday night's presidential debate.
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11:30 a.m.
Mike Pence says he hopes the moderator in Monday night's presidential debate does not fact-check Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
The Republican vice presidential nominee said that moderator Lester Holt's job should be to ask questions and allow the candidates "to take issue with one another where they feel inclined to do that." Pence was interviewed Monday on the Hugh Hewitt radio show.
Pence has his own debate coming up next week with Tim Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential candidate. He said he hopes moderators in all future debates - including his own - will simply ask questions and let the candidates respond.
Pence said: "The rest of you people afterward can do all the commentating and let the American people decide."