Posted on 10/07/2012 11:01:50 PM PDT by granada
(Reuters) - He has been stereotyped as the Obama administration's gaffe-prone sideshow.
But Vice President Joe Biden also is a veteran debater who was in the U.S. Senate for a quarter century and is perhaps the Democratic White House's most passionate defender of the working class.
Now, with his debate against Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan coming up on Thursday, Biden is under pressure to help President Barack Obama's campaign recapture the momentum it enjoyed before Obama was outmaneuvered by Republican rival Mitt Romney last week in the first of their three debates.
That debate trimmed Obama's lead in the polls and raised the stakes for the lone vice presidential debate, which also will be a national debut of sorts for Ryan, the Wisconsin congressman and budget specialist.
With the Romney-Ryan campaign energized, Democrats are in the surprising position of relying on Biden, a perpetual political wild card, to fire up their campaign. Democrats did get a boost in Friday's jobs report, which showed the nation's unemployment rate dipped below 8 percent last month for the first time since January 2009, the month Obama took office.
"This is not about changing minds. This is about changing the momentum," Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis said. "The vice president is going to have to be very aggressive in undercutting Republican arguments. He can't allow Ryan to control the debate the way Romney controlled his debate."
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Biden lied a bunch in the Palin debate. Ryan will put a quick stop to that.
Obama showed the Dems actually believe their own lying negative ads. Biden spouting the lies will just give Ryab a chance to make the huge ad spend a money burn.
“But Vice President Joe Biden also is a veteran debater”
LOL! Ya gotta hand it to Rooters and the MSM. They sprinkle sugar on dog poo and call it an eclair.
Ryan has been working with the budget numbers since 2008.
He knows his stuff and he has a vice-like memory.
Old Joe, and the moderator isn’t going to know what hit them.
I think Biden will do well. Problem is his though he might present them well his policy arguments are bad. Ryan should cut through them.
This debate will be very entertaining. I expect to Biden, the “Great Intellect”, to try to a number of well-practiced zingers. Ryan should prepare for that and return them back in spades. Pass the popcorn on this one. I think SNL will have much comedic fodder from this encounter.
Humiliate Biden by reminding people of Biden. Then demand a second debate from him.
I think Biden will do well.”
I think Biden has two things going for him. Nobody expects him to do well. He’s been around a long time and I suspect has done a lot of fighting in the gutters in order to survive.
OTOH, Ryan not only knows his stuff but is a lot more familiar with DC operatives because he’s been a part of it. Palin was not only not as familiar with the DC political scene but also was not real familiar with the area where Biden has lived.
Needless to say it should provide a treasure trove of material for comedians if they would only use it.
Does a vice presidential debate make much difference?
In 1988, Bentsen debated Quayle...Bentsen made fun of Quayle by telling the latter that he is no John Kennedy...George HW still won.
In 2000, Cheney debated Lieberman...I think they both sat at a table with the moderator...I don’t think that debate really changed any votes...
I would feel really good if Ryan “humiliates” Biden...But, how many “swing voters” will switch from Obama to Romney because of that?
It will make a difference, if Ryan wins, that sending R&R to Washington, will be a much more competent team than B&B.
All Ryan needs to do is find a way to use some form of the word plagiarism in the first minute. Biden’s only original words are gaffs...
I don’t think it would make too much of a difference if Biden edged Ryan in the debate, but if Biden gets trounced, which I don’t think will happen (I think it will be more of a drawn/lean Ryan), then two successive debate losses will confirm a forming narrative that Obama/Biden are less capable than Romney/Ryan. That could sway a decent amount of the few fence-sitters remaining.
Biden - “Blah, blah, lie, lie, blah and lie.
Ryan - “Your misrepresentations and misleading statements here on national television are going to make some great campaign commercials. Please keep it up, Joe. Thank you.”
When it comes to debating, Biden is the Master.
It took 24 hours for the Obama debate fiasco to disappear.
It was replaced - within 24 hours - by the 47% theme, and the Romney is a liar theme.
I'm fearful that Paul Ryan lacks the high pressure live television experience to avoid mistakes in demeanor and wording.
Regardless of what Biden does, within 24 hours Paul Ryan's “bookkeeper's heart” or political ineptitude will be the only stories reported.
I agree...Biden will do well. He’s “folksy” enough for people to like him.
However, I think Ryan is “folksy” enough, too, and will be just wonky enough for people to believe him, instead of the fluff that Biden will provide.
Especially after Obama’s debate performance.
IOW, our guy is smarter than their guy.
“Does a vice presidential debate make much difference?”
Usually, no.
But, this time, after Obama’s performance, it will feed the narrative that the dems are sunk and have no solutions other than to continue what they are doing.
THAT won’t be popular.
It’s not B&B, its Barack & Joe...BJ. Clintons legacy.
So that makes Biden a master ‘bater? Heehee!!
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