In what might be the most stunning political debate take-down since then-Democratic vice-presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen of Texas vaporized Republican rival Dan Quayle 37 years ago, GOP Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears leveled Democratic foe Abigail Spanberger — twice.

Spanberger fumbled a question about far-left Democratic nominee for attorney general Jay Jones, recently revealed to have wished for the murder of former GOP House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children. Then Spanberger froze when Earle-Sears pressed about it.

Spanberger also refused to say whether she would reverse Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s order that keeps “trans girls” — boys who pretend to be girls — out of girls’ bathrooms.

Trouble began for CIA Democrat Spanberger when the moderator asked if she still endorsed Jones, who, again, texted a GOP delegate to say he hoped Gilbert would get “two bullets to the head.” Jones also said he hoped he “could watch [Gilbert’s wife’s] own child die in her arms.” Jones is also alleged to have said police should be shot to change their policing. He apologized for the first remarks and denied the second.

Spanberger denounced Jones, but didn’t answer. She instead chided Earle-Sears for calling Spanberger an “enemy.” The moderator pressed her, giving the Democrat 30 seconds to say whether she would endorse Jones. The moderator also asked whether she was aware of Jones’s text messages before they were released.

“In fact, it appears that it was the, uh, those who released the text messages and held them for years, so the public was unaware who had knowledge of these text messages,” Spanberger said.

“When did you know, and what did you do about it?!” Earle-Sears interjected.

“I learned of these text messages the day that they came out and I denounced them as soon as I learned of them,” Spanberger continued.

Interjected Earle-Sears, “Oh, she denounces murder!”

Spanberger: And importantly, um, at this point as we move forward, the voters now have this information, information that was withheld for them, presumably for political reasons.

But the voters now have the information and it is up to voters to make an individual choice based on this information.

Moderator: I understand what you’re saying about the voters. But for you, yourself, do you still continue to endorse Jay Jones? 15 seconds, yes or no.

Spanberger: We are all running our individual races. I believe my opponent has said that about her lieutenant governor nominee.

Sears: Third time’s a charm, Abigail!

Spanberger: It’s up to every person to make their own decision. I am running my race to serve Virginia, and that is what I intend to do.

Moderator: Thank you, Ms. Spanberger. We just want to clarify, you know, what you’re saying is that as of now, you still endorse Jay Jones as attorney general?

Spanberger: I’m saying as of now, it’s up to every voter to make their own individual decision. I am running for governor. I am accountable for the words that I say. For the acts that I take. For the policies that I have put out.…

Sears: She still endorses him!

Moments later, when Sears was asked about President Trump’s intemperate, imprudent remarks at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, Sears parried, then focused on Spanberger.

“Why she won’t say it is not OK and that he must leave the race because Jay Jones advocated the murder, Abigail, the murder of a man, a former speaker, as well as his children, who are two years and five years old,” Earle-Sears began:

You have little girls. Would it take him pulling the trigger? Is that what would do it? And then you would say he needs to get out of the race. Abigail, you have nothing to say. Abigail? What if he said about your two children? Your three children. Is that when you would say he should get out of the race, Abigail? You’re running to be the governor. 

Spanberger froze.

Later, Earle-Sears continued the barrage, and again, Spanberger stood silent.

“We’re talking about murder,” she said:

We’re talking about someone’s life being taken from them. Have you nothing to say about that? Are you not going to address it, really? You can’t go any further? You’re a governor. You’re supposed to stand up for all the people. Are you saying political murder is all right? Have some political courage.

Likewise, Spanberger botched her answer to the question about “trans girls” using girls’ restrooms.

As with the question about Jones, she refused to answer.

“Would you rescind the Youngkin administration policy requiring boys and girls to use bathrooms aligning with their biological sex? You have 30 seconds,” the moderator asked.

“My priority would be to ensure that local communities, importantly parents and teachers …

Interjected Sears, “That’s a yes or no!” 

“And educators are able to work together to meet the unique needs of each school and each community,” Spanberger continued.

“The girls need privacy!” Earle-Sears said.

“And say that as a mother of three daughters in Virginia public schools and as someone who used to investigate crimes against children,” Spanberger continued. “The way that we keep our children safe is by ensuring they are safe in schools which includes funding law enforcement and public safety.”

Moderator: But Ms. Spanberger, the question was, would you rescind the Youngkin administration policy requiring boys and girls to use bathrooms aligning with their biological sex? You have 15 seconds to clarify that question.

Spanberger: And my answer is that in each local community, decisions should be made between parents and educators and teachers in each community. It shouldn’t be dictated by those politicians.

Earle-Sears noted that Spanberger voted for the Equality Act, which would have permitted “trans girls” and “trans women” and men access to all “public accommodations and facilities” in education. That means boys and men in the girls’ and women’s restrooms and locker rooms.

Amusingly, Earle-Sears asked Spanberger whether she would “change in a gym where men are nude in the locker room?”

“I don’t think you will,” Earle-Sears said.

Earle-Sears had an uphill climb to beat Spanberger before the debate. The Real Clear Politics average of polls showed Spanberger ahead with voters, 50-43 percent.

Spanberger’s dear-in-the-headlights reaction to Earle-Sears will remind viewers of a brutal moment during the Bentsen-Quayle debate on October 5, 1988.

Both men were U.S. senators, Bentsen from Texas, Quayle from Indiana.

Moderator Tom Brokaw of NBC News asked whether Quayle was prepared to assume the presidency upon the death of the president — Quayle’s running mate, then-Vice President George H.W. Bush.

“I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency,” Quayle said in his penultimate line.

Bentsen cut him down: Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, You’re no Jack Kennedy.

Quayle was stunned. Unwisely, he challenged the quick-on-his-feet Bentsen.

“That was really uncalled for Senator,” Quayle said.

Bentsen: You’re the one that was making the comparison, Senator. And I’m one who knew him well. And frankly, I think you’re so far apart in the objectives you choose for your country

that I did not think the comparison was well taken.

End of debate.