Pence merits praise for tamping down supporter's reckless 'ready for a revolution' comment

Mike Pence's running mate may be doubling down on reckless rhetoric. But the Indiana governor running with Donald Trump on the Republican presidential ticket merits praise for hitting pause Tuesday on talk fanning the flames of partisan divide.

Pence was campaigning in the small central Iowa city of Newton when he had some might call a "McCain moment." That it's a fitting description ought to be seen as a compliment for the gray-haired religious conservative.

At the rally, a Trump supporter sporting a glittering gold trucker's cap stepped up and declared that she is "ready for a revolution" if Hillary Clinton is elected. Pence, to his credit, immediately recognized the risk inherent in that statement — that some could perceive this as a call to unrest after the election, especially if the candidate let it stand. Thankfully, Pence immediately quashed that notion, telling the woman firmly not to say that.

The exchange mirrored a moment in the 2008 presidential campaign that took place in a southern Twin Cities suburb with Republican nominee John McCain. McCain was campaigning in Lakeville when a woman in the crowd emotionally relayed her fears about McCain's opponent. She believed that then-Sen. Barack Obama was an "Arab."

McCain quickly refuted the fear-fueled falsehood, saying that Obama is a citizen and a decent family man with whom McCain has policy differences. Boos from the crowd showed how easily the Arizona Republican could have demonized his opponent in a tight race. He instead defused fears, a decision that stands in permanent testament to McCain's character.

More such "McCain moments" are sorely needed between now and Nov. 8 to prevent partisan passions from flaring out of control when Clinton or Trump declares victory. In particular, candidates need to recognize the potentially explosive power of what they or their supporters say. Words like "rigged" heighten the risk of unrest. "Revolution," a term Bernie Sanders used incessantly in Democratic primaries, also shouldn't be carelessly tossed around.

Leadership is needed now to ensure that a tradition that perhaps more than most has made America great — the peaceful transfer of power — continues unabated next month.