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'New drinking game': Internet trolls Mike Pence for 'awkward pauses' during second GOP debate

Former Vice President Mike Pence unleashed a slew of fairly awkward jokes at the GOP debate followed by pauses for laughter than never came

SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA: Things got a little heated at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Wednesday, September 27, when seven GOP candidates exchanged furious arguments during the second Republican presidential debate.

In the midst of the political scuffle, former Vice President Mike Pence drew the audience's attention with a slew of fairly awkward jokes that was met mainly with silence or a smattering of applause.

"Joe Biden doesn't belong on a picket line, he belongs on the unemployment line," the 64-year-old Pence remarked when asked about the ongoing autoworker strike earlier in the debate.

Later in the debate, while discussing education issues with former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Pence made a lighthearted quip about sleeping with a teacher for over 40 years.

"The public school system is no longer run by the public. It is run by the teachers unions in this country," Christie said.

"I want to answer the question as well that you just asked because by way of full disclosure, Chris, you've mentioned the president's situation," Pence responded.

"My wife isn't a member of the teachers union, but I got to admit, I have been sleeping with a teacher for 38 years — full disclosure. But education is a state and local function,” he continued.

Mike Pence trolled for 'awkward pauses'

As Pence’s one-liner largely fell flat, he managed to garner immense social media attention with his long pauses during the second GOP debate.

“Mike Pence does that pause/half smile/head shake combo and I get nauseous,” one user wrote while pointing out the former vice president’s pauses.

“There is nothing more painful than watching Mike Pence pause for a crowd laugh/cheer that just never comes,” a second user remarked.

A third user also criticized Pence’s jokes, saying “Mike Pence is just weird. He says these one-liners that he is the only one who laughs after an awkward pause #GOPDebate”

“New drinking game, take a shot every time #MikePence thinks he's funny and has a pause for a non-existent applause break,” a fourth user joked.

“So with you on Mike Pence, sanctimonious prick. I just can't stand the slow pause, considered, holier than thou shtick of his,” another user said.

“Early observations on #GOPDebate - I unironically LOVE when they all talk over each other. Relatedly, I think the debate should not be 2 hours; it should be 8 hours. Mike Pence is soooo close to audibly saying "pause for laughter,” one more wrote.

Mike Pence avoided questions regarding increasing violence against LGBTQ people

Later in the debate, Pence appeared to be avoiding a crucial question regarding what he would do as president to address increasing violence against LGBTQ people.

“I'll stand up for the safety and the civil liberties of every American from every background,” Pence said, before pivoting to the issue of school choice.

“We're going to stand up for the rights of parents, and we're going to pass a federal ban on transgender chemical or surgical surgery anywhere in the country,” he said, adding “We've got to protect our kids from this radical gender ideology agenda.”