Wow. The Biden Ryan debate starts in five minutes, and according to this report, the Democrats are resting their hopes on Biden.
I would not want to be resting my hopes on Joe Biden, but I sure am curious to see what happens.
My hope does not rest on anyone, but it would nice to see Ryan wrest hope from Biden.
MORE (9:18 p.m.): Biden is incompetent when he opens his mouth, but he is really working his TV skills here. He keeps trying to put Ryan down with huge dismissive smiles while Ryan speaks, then acting like the mature voice of authority when he gets his turn. If you heard only the sound, Ryan would easily be the winner so far. But Biden (who has a lot more TV experience) is working the imagery, and this talk show table format seems designed for him. The interviewer is clearly hostile to Ryan, and she is trying to put him on the spot.
I hope Ryan holds his ground. It is looking as if they tried to lay a trap.
MORE: (9:21): After another snarky smile, Biden says “FACTS MATTER!” and Ryan looks defensive. He should smile back just as snarkily, but I think he fears looking disrespectful.
MORE (9:25 p.m.): Biden is screeching and smirking about Romney’s 47% statement, and acting like he is delivering a sound spanking. Ryan sits there, remaining respectful. The left will love Biden for this, although Ryan is pretty good at holding firm. Now he is defending Romney, while Biden leers, grimaces, and smirks.
Maybe old Joe will carry this authority daddy business too far.
MORE: After Ryan explains Romney’s 47% statement, the “moderator” gets in on the snark, and turns to Biden and says, “I have a feeling you have a few things to say.”
So Biden rants… I’m tired of him but I will try to watch more. Where’s my glass of wine?
Biden’s theatrical smiling (gushingly supported by the interviewer who helps with his insults) is beginning to piss me off. Ryan can’t say anything without being jumped on by both of them.
QUESTION: Is this a debate? Or is it a TV talk show masquerading as a debate?
MORE (10:05): On military matters, Biden is a lot more serious (and less theatrical, especially with regard to the smarmy grins). Ryan comes off has having superior military knowledge and he scores major points.
This is more theater than debate.
BOTTOM LINE: Biden struck me as a snide and mean older man, attempting to use the weight of his obvious authority to his advantage, while Ryan stood up to him while remaining respectful.
That was a pretty tough situation for Ryan, and I think he pulled it off.
UPDATE (10/12/12): Looking at the Drudge headlines the next day, I see that I was not alone in my reactions. Looks like Biden’s snark backfired — big time!
CNN POLL: R 48% B 44%...
Chris Wallace: I've never seen a candidate as disrespectful as Biden...
Borger: Came Off As Condescending...
Hume: 'Cranky Old Man'...
Noonan: 'The old man pushed, and the kid pushed back'...
Biden Interrupted Ryan 82 Times?
Raddatz -- 31 times...
AP: 'Laugh, chuckle, grimace, grin, smirk, goofy face'...
RNC AD: THE LAUGHTER...
CNN: Raddatz 'the third debater'...
WH LOGS: Visited Biden at His Residence...
REALCLEAR MAP SHOWS SHIFT...
Comments
6 responses to ““hopes rest on Biden””
“…the Democrats are resting their hopes on Biden.”
Silly of them for a number of reasons. The main one of which has nothing to do with the VP’s tendecy to chew on his foot or feet.
Generally, no matter how interesting they might be, VP debates have little impact on voters.
“Is this a debate? Or is it a TV talk show masquerading as a debate?”
Do you have to ask?
Not so much a TV talk show as a warped SNL skit. Monsignor Dumbo vs. Choirboy Ernest.
I’ve seen that Biden smile before – from Father O’Connor when I was a 14 y/o choirboy, in the sacristy, just the two of us, alone.
Msgr. Cornelius F. O’Connor—Assignment Record
Summary of Case: Accused in 2008 of sexually abusing a boy at Our Lady of the Assumption in Carmichael CA, beginning in 1987 when the victim was 8 years old. Parents say diocese admitted there were other victims.
I think I know what’s going through old Joe’s head.
Yes, one must be quite respectful to anecdotely bring up a car crash against his opponent. Yes, quite respectful. look at the mean bully Joe! Ryan definitely pulled that one off well.
Have a little class.
The initial polling indicated that Biden won by a substantial margin, even among independents.
A majority of the American people are takers who want a socialist dictatorship. The America of your memory is history.
Someone commented that America invented communism and infected Russia with it. And with the demise of Russia, it has come home.
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