Usually, tradition has it that this debate does not really matter all that much, in the larger scheme of things.
However, given what by almost all accounts was Obama's clear defeat in last week's debate, Biden was in a tough position, and needed to stop the bleeding a bit. The Romney campaign had some momentum after digging itself out of a hole with what seems like a strong debate performance (although, to my understanding, one riddled with lies), and Biden needed to put that to a halt.
In effect, he did. He did everything that he really needed to do, and was able to more or less get the main points across. He needed to be what a Vice President often is for a President – the attack dog.
Ryan and Biden presented a strong contrast. This was the widest age gap between two Vice Presidential candidates in a debate in history, and that is perhaps saying something.
I saw one funny thing on Facebook, as Bill Maher claimed that he needed to make a call to emergency services, because an old man was beating a child on his television. That was pretty funny.
In truth, Ryan probably came across the way that he probably wanted to. He got his points across, and if Romney does not win this election, then Ryan will likely remain a strong candidate for higher office in the future. I don't know that it can be said that Ryan won this debate or not, but he was good enough, I think, that he will likely remain a strong contender in the future, and will continue to rise in Republican ranks. I heard him referred to as a "rock star" among Republicans earlier in the evening, on NPR's assessment of the debates.
Not sure that such a description fits, but we surely will hear from and about him in the future.
For now, however, I think that this was, more or less, Biden's day. He did not win this debate as clearly as Romney won last week's debate, most likely. Yet, he seemed to clearly energize the Democratic base in a similar way that Romney's performance last week (to say nothing of Obama's performance) energized the Republican base and seemed to give Romney some much needed momentum, and dug him out of trouble.
In effect, I think that is what Biden managed to do, to the extent possible, last night. As the seasoned veteran of the two men debating, Biden drew on his wealth of experience to essentially dictate the tempo of the debate. He was able to say all the things that Obama should have said last week. He was aggressive, without being obnoxious or rude. Other than his smiling early on in the debate, which was apparently a source of consternation to some, Biden was able to score numerous points and, in essence, managed to utilize his superior experience effectively against his younger opponent. This seemed particularly effective when Ryan mentioned the success of bipartisan efforts during the Reagan days, and Biden interrupted, saying that he was in Washington back then, and knew the specifics of how the cooperation worked, explaining them to a suddenly silent Ryan.
For his part, Ryan essentially repeated certain sticking points, if you will. He wanted to get the word out, again and again, that by his and Romney's estimation, Obama's Presidency has been a failure. To that end, he repeated the themes of what he considered failures, and was able to drill his points home. Ryan was able to come up with the most humorous point, saying that Biden would surely agree that his words did not always come out the right way. Biden laughed along with those assembled, and he retorted that he did at least always mean what he says, and remained true to whatever it, as well.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen just how much, or how little, this debate will sway voters that remain undecided at this point. I have heard interviews with people at least claiming to be undecided voters, and many seemed quite convinced that Obama would not be the right choice following last week's debate, where the President seemed hesitant and withdrawn. Perhaps this debate will not likely get people to shift their opinions, one way or the other, in droves. Yet, Biden seemed to make a strong case in defending the four Obama years just passed, and making the case for four more years of an Obama Presidency. His victory, if such it was, was not likely by as wide a margin as Romney's victory last week, and will also not likely offset that defeat. But it certainly was a good first step, and one that Obama and his supporters had better hope he follows up on for next week's debate.
In effect, I think that is what Biden managed to do, to the extent possible, last night. As the seasoned veteran of the two men debating, Biden drew on his wealth of experience to essentially dictate the tempo of the debate. He was able to say all the things that Obama should have said last week. He was aggressive, without being obnoxious or rude. Other than his smiling early on in the debate, which was apparently a source of consternation to some, Biden was able to score numerous points and, in essence, managed to utilize his superior experience effectively against his younger opponent. This seemed particularly effective when Ryan mentioned the success of bipartisan efforts during the Reagan days, and Biden interrupted, saying that he was in Washington back then, and knew the specifics of how the cooperation worked, explaining them to a suddenly silent Ryan.
For his part, Ryan essentially repeated certain sticking points, if you will. He wanted to get the word out, again and again, that by his and Romney's estimation, Obama's Presidency has been a failure. To that end, he repeated the themes of what he considered failures, and was able to drill his points home. Ryan was able to come up with the most humorous point, saying that Biden would surely agree that his words did not always come out the right way. Biden laughed along with those assembled, and he retorted that he did at least always mean what he says, and remained true to whatever it, as well.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen just how much, or how little, this debate will sway voters that remain undecided at this point. I have heard interviews with people at least claiming to be undecided voters, and many seemed quite convinced that Obama would not be the right choice following last week's debate, where the President seemed hesitant and withdrawn. Perhaps this debate will not likely get people to shift their opinions, one way or the other, in droves. Yet, Biden seemed to make a strong case in defending the four Obama years just passed, and making the case for four more years of an Obama Presidency. His victory, if such it was, was not likely by as wide a margin as Romney's victory last week, and will also not likely offset that defeat. But it certainly was a good first step, and one that Obama and his supporters had better hope he follows up on for next week's debate.
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