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RNC declares Mike Pence the winner of the debate — before it happens

"The consensus was clear after the dust settled."

Tim Chester

on October 4, 2016

RNC declares Mike Pence the winner of the debate — before it happens

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on October 3, 2016 shows Republican Vice Presidential nominee and running mate Mike Pence(L) speaking during the Midwest Vision and Values Pastors and Leadership Conference at the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on September 21, 2016,and US Democratic Nominee for Vice President Tim Kaine speaking during the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 27, 2016. After a dramatic week of beauty queens, sex tape allegations and tax document leaks, the upcoming US vice presidential debate could feel like a throwback to simpler times. Featuring low-key career politicians who are easily confused, the match-up between Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence in Farmville, Virginia likely won't exude the reality show vibes Americans have come to expect in the 2016 presidential election. Both VP picks have said their respective running mates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump set a high bar in the first of three presidential debates, which drew a record 84 million viewers. / AFP / MANDEL NGAN AND SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN,SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) Credit: MANDEL NGAN,SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Summoning nefarious powers of sorcery and soothsaying, the Republican National Committee has declared Mike Pence the winner of Tuesday's vice presidential debate -- hours before it happened.

In a series of articles on its website, GOP.com, viewers of the debate that hasn't happened yet confidently recalled how Pence smashed his opponent during the "one and only Vice Presidential debate."

"The consensus was clear after the dust settled," an article said. "Mike Pence was the clear winner of the debate."

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His top moments, we hear you ask? The economy and highlighting Hillary's scandals. Which scandals? We're not sure yet. Check back in a few hours.

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"The other clear winner from tonight's debate was Donald Trump," the site said, in an article spotted around 4 p.m. PT but since deleted.

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That wasn't all. The site ran a series of other articles including one entitled, "It's clear who lost the VP debate, Hillary Clinton." That article was deleted before Mashable had time to screengrab it, but it was only four or five lines long.

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Another must-read article on the site Tuesday afternoon, more than 90 minutes before the debate started, was "5 questions Tim Kaine was NOT asked."

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Mashable has reached out to the RNC to find out where they got their powers of prediction.

BONUS: Tim Kaine uses 'Apprentice' burn during debate

Tim Chester

Tim Chester was Senior Editor, Real Time News in Los Angeles. Before that he was Deputy Editor of Mashable UK in London. Prior to joining Mashable, Tim was a Senior Web Editor at Penguin Random House, helping to relaunch the Rough Guides website and other travel brands. He was also a writer for Buzzfeed, GQ and The Sunday Times, covering everything from culture to tech and current affairs. Before that, he was Deputy Editor at NME.COM, overseeing content and development on the London-based music and entertainment site. Tim loves music and travel and has combined these two passions at festivals from Iceland to Malawi and beyond.