Vice Presidential Debate

Yes, I’m that guy.  I just left my Bible study early, so I could write.  It’s okay.  We got through Hosea 8 and 9.  It’s kind of amazing how that book is kind of an allegory for the state of America today.  But that’s another topic.

“X Factor” is now over.  It’s really too bad someone like Simon Cowell couldn’t moderate this thing.

Hello, Shepard Smith.  Again.  From Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, this time.  I really don’t like the format of this debate, as far as having both candidates seated.  It’s a domestic and foreign policy debate, and I have every expectation that Biden will bring his A-game.  However, his A-game is nothing compared to Paul Ryan.

Anyone else think the hubbub over Martha Raddatz was a little bit of a stretch.  Is it that surprising that Obama attended her wedding a few years ago?  She’s a “journalist”.  They’re his bread and butter. 

And here they are.  Interesting.  She has two mics.

MR: First question: Libya.  Was it a massive intelligence failure?

B:  Ooo.  Point that finger, Joe.  That means you’re serious.  And he shifted right into ending the war in Iraq and Osama bin Laden (henceforth to be known as OBL).  There he goes pointing that finger again.  “[The president has] led with a steady hand and a clear vision.”  Wow.  Really?

R:  “If we’re hit by terrorists, we’re going to call it like it is: a terrorist attack.”  Ooo…nice.  He totally called out Biden on failing in negotiations with the Iraqis – a task given to him by the president.  Biden is actually looking at Ryan while he’s talking.  Clearly that was a note taken after last week’s abysmal performance by the empty chair. 

B: “That’s a bunch of malarkey.”  Way to keep it PG, Joe.  “repaired our alliances”  Really?  Ooo…a little stutter.  “These guys bet against America all the time.”  Ryan’s expression was perfect.  He’s talking in circles.  Blaming the intelligence community.  Holding a press conference is “not presidential”.  Really?  Coming from the number two to the Teleprompter in Chief?

R:  “We should never apologize about standing up for our values.” 

MR: Iran.  “How effective would a military strike be [on Iran]?”

R:  He’s explaining that bi-partisan support in Congress is the only way sanctions against Iran were made possible, in spite of the administration.

B:  Wow…he just tried to pull the “it’s classified” card.  “There is no weapon that the Iranians have…what are you talking about?” 

R:  He basically said that we need to convince the Ayatollahs to change their mind and that our relationship is suffering.

B:  He’s saying sanctions work, and our relationship with Israel is great.   “Facts matter.”  But they’re such inconvenient things for you and your party, Mr. Vice President.

R:  He basically says that Iran is encouraged by this administrations inaction.

B:  “[Romney] changes his mind so often, I could be wrong….This president doesn’t bluff.”  Really?

MR: Economy.  Can you get unemployment under 6%?

B:  “Let’s look at the facts.”  Again.  Inconvenient things for you and your party.  Ryan is chomping at the bit.  He’s gabbing on about GM and foreclosures.  Oh, and there’s the 47% reference.  What does this have to do with unemployment? 

R:  He’s turning the facts around on Biden.  No commentary necessary.  “This is not what a recovery looks like.”  Okay…someone just text me a few minute ago to tell me that Biden’s laugh and smile is creepy.  I’m starting to agree.  “I think the Vice President knows that the words don’t always come out of your mouth right [in reference to the 47% comment].” 

B:  Now he’s pulling the sympathy card to try to counter Ryan’s story about Romney.  “[Romney] said let [the auto industry] go bankrupt.”  IT DID GO BANKRUPT!  “Just get out of the way.  Stop talking about how you care about people.”  Oh, and there’s the DWS talking points.  “Two wars on a credit card.”

R:  Oh, yes.  “One party control” and look where we are.  Specifics now, on growing the economy. 

B:  “I love my friend here.”  I don’t think they’re friends.  “Less than 0.4% waste [in the stimulus].” 

R:  “Where are the 4 million green jobs that were promised?”

MR:  Medicare. 

R:  “If you reform these programs for my generation…you can guarantee that they’ll be solvent for the generation close to retirement.”  He’s getting ahead of Biden’s talking points about vouchers.  “Choice and competition.”  Preach.

B:  “I heard that death panel argument from Sarah Palin.”  Really?  Oh, there’s the AMA and AARP shout out.  Oh, yes, Joe.  Talk directly to the camera, because that allegedly polled well.  “Folks follow your instincts on this one.”  Okay.  I’m voting for the other guy.  “Their ideas are bad.”

R:  “Mr. Vice President, I know you’re under a lot of duress trying to make up for lost ground, [but stop interrupting me].”  Classic.  Biden is getting catty. 

B:  Ripping vouchers and privatization of social security.

R:  He’s trying to talk and Biden keeps interrupting.

B:  “The bottom line is…”  Really?  You don’t know what a bottom line is.  “Folks, use your common sense.”  Again, I will.  Thereby, I’ll be voting for the other guy.

MR:  “Who will pay more in taxes, and who will pay less?”

B:  Bush tax cuts.  Wealthy pay more.  “They’re holding hostage the middle class tax cut.” 

R:  I love when this man talks numbers.  “Watch out middle class, the tax bill is coming to you.” 

B:  “Let me translate.”  “Not mathematically possible.”  “Oh, now you’re Jack Kennedy.”

Arguing back and forth. 

R:  “[Reagan] didn’t demonize [Democrats], he didn’t demagogue them.”  Perfect allegory.

B:  “97% of small businesses…”  Over and over.

MR:  Defense spending.

R:  “If these cuts go through, our Navy will be the smallest since World War I.” 

B:  Nuh-uh.  He’s like a belligerent child. 

MR:  Afghanistan.  “Why not leave now? … Is it worth more American lives?”

R:  “What we don’t want to do is lose the goals we’ve gotten.” 

B:  “Martha, let’s keep our eye on the ball.”  Oh, boy.  There’s the OBL reference.  “We are leaving.  We are leaving in 2014.  Period.” 

MR:  “What conditions could justify staying[?]”

R:  Paraphrase: We want to come home in 2014, but only as long as we’re successful.  “the unraveling of the Obama foreign policy”  Preach.  “We don’t want to broadcast to our enemies, put a date on your calendar.”  Word. 

MR: Is the Taliban taking advantage of the timeline?

B:  “Step up.”  I don’t disagree, but he doesn’t sound genuine.  Again, with the finger pointing. 

R:  He’s throwing out a bunch town/region names.  He’s clearly educated on Afghanistan.

MR:  Syria.

B:  “If it blows up and the wrong people gain power…”  Didn’t that happen already?  There he goes with the “friend” reference.  “my friend, Governor Romney”  So confused.  He’s blaming Romney, while saying that Romney would do the same thing as Obama.

R:  “Nobody is proposing to send troops to Syria.”  Ooo…Russia reset.  Pointing out the foreign policy fails of this administration.  Propping up alliances, ripping the UN’s response. 

B:  “He never answers the question.”  Ryan says we wouldn't go through the UN.  Biden says they didn't. 

MR:  “What happens if Assad does not fall?”

R:  “Iran keeps their closest ally in the region.”  “We should not have called Bashar Assad a ‘reformer’.” “[Intervention] has to be in the national security interests of the American people.”

MR:  What role has your religion played in your views on abortion?

R:  “I don’t see how a person can separate their public life and their private life.”  “I believe that life begins at conception.”  “Look at what they’re doing through ObamaCare.”  “Our church should not have to sue the federal government.” 

B:  “My religion defines who I am.”  An idiot?  “I accept the churches view…I refuse to impose it…”  Wow.  So tacky.  Oh, there’s the Georgetown shout out.  I’m surprised he didn’t mention Sandra Fluke by name. 

R:  “It’s a distinction without a difference.”  “We don’t think that unelected judges should make this decision.” 

B:  He’s saying Roe v. Wade is in jeopardy of being overturned.  “We picked [open minded] judges…didn’t come with an agenda.”  Wow.  Really?

MR:  Are you embarrassed by the tone of the campaign?

B:  Oh, come on!  Back to saying that soldiers are part of the 47%.  Really?  And now he’s ripping on super PACs.  Hypocrite. 

R:  Ripping Obama on running on hope and change but running this time on attack and distract.  Ripping him on other broken promises – cutting deficit, especially.  “The president likes to say he has a plan.  He gave a speech.  …  We can’t estimate speeches.”  His bladder must be made of steel.  I’m pretty sure he’s drank three glasses of water.

B:  And here are the scare tactics again.  Exactly what Ryan has been ripping him all night on:  If you can’t run on ideas, make your opponent scary. 

MR:  If you were elected, what could you give to this country that no one else could?

R:  “There are plenty of great people who could lead this country.”  Word. 

B:  Wow.  Another time excuse.  Level the playing field.  Way to get that DWS point in there. 

Closing statements:

B:  “we inherited a god-awful circumstance”  Blame Bush.  47% comment.  Level the playing field. 

R:  Yes.  Talk right to the camera.  I love this guy.  “President Obama had his chance. … It’s not working. … This is not what a real recovery looks like.”  Amen.  “Wouldn't it be nice to have a job creator in the White House?”  Preach.  “We will not blame others for the next four years.” 

Okay.  It didn’t pan out exactly like I predicted or hoped, but Ryan still won.  Biden was clearly  on the defensive all night, doing exactly what Ryan kept accusing the Obama-Biden campaign of: trying to scare people out of voting for Romney-Ryan because the Obama-Biden ticket has no record to run on and no ideas.  Ryan did very well, considering this was his first national debate, but he was trying way too hard to cram as much information into two to four minutes as possible.  Substantive, yes, but not always 100% time-effective.  Biden, however, was, as a friend put it, “just rude and disrespectful.”  So true.  That, and his impertinent smile/chuckle was just as awful as it was annoying.  To be fair – or as fair as I can be to that blithering excuse for a vice president – he did much better than his boss did last week.  Kind of echoed the DNC, actually.  His speech was better than his boss’s.  That said, his condescending tone throughout tonight’s debate was annoying, as was his persistent finger pointing and fear mongering. 

Really, that’s about all my thoughts on the issue.  At least the two looked at each other from time to time for more than two to four seconds.  This was more like two people were debating, instead of a former governor debating an empty chair.

Still calling this one with football scores:  Biden 13, Ryan 27