In sharp contrast to last week's exchange between President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, the vice-presidential candidates clashed repeatedly during their 90-minute encounter. They differed over how to create jobs, whose taxes should and should not be cut or increased, how best to ensure the solvency of Medicare and Social Security, and whether the Obama administration's foreign policy in the Middle East and Afghanistan is working.The part I saw, Biden didn't make points as much as he attacked. And exposed his pearly whites in a Cheshire-cat grin every time Ryan spoke.
| Porcelain caps? Those teeth did not look natural. |
Biden tried to dominate the debate and was a far more vigorous presence than the president last week. But he may have hurt his case by smiling sarcastically as Ryan made some of his points and interrupting repeatedly as the Wisconsin congressman defended his and Romney's policies.
I expect this was a test-run for 02, where The 0ne will be more "Presidential".
"I've had it up to here with this notion, that 47 percent," he said. "It's about time they take some responsibility here. And instead of signing pledges to Grover Norquist not to ask the wealthiest among us to contribute to bring back the middle class, they should be signing a pledge saying to the middle class, 'We're going to level the playing field.' "
I though Joe over-acted that part.
At one point, he looked into a camera and said, "Look, folks. Use your common sense. Who do you trust?"
Trust in more hope and more change. Some day.
But Ryan argued that the administration's policies have failed many of those same people. He noted that the unemployment rate in Biden's home town of Scranton, Pa., is higher today than it was when Obama entered office.
Joe nodded sagely, but did not interrupt.
"Look, did they come in and inherit a tough situation? Absolutely," Ryan said. "But we're going in the wrong direction. Look at where we are. The economy is barely limping along. It's growing at 1.3 percent. That's slower than it grew last year, and last year was slower than the year before. Job growth in September was slower than it was in August, and August was slower than it was in July."
As vice president, Biden is accountable for the Obama administration's record -- a key target of attack by Ryan throughout the exchange. Ryan, meanwhile, came into the forum as the architect of the House Republican budget blueprint and acknowledged as the intellectual leader of the new Republican Party. Ryan and his budget came under direct attack from Obama in spring 2011, at a time when Obama was saying little about Romney.
Ryan's budget? Whaddabout the President's budget? How does Ryan's compare? Or did our Prez not offer one up for fear it might be found wanting? Come to think of it, Wasn't O's budget voted down, nearly unanimously?
The vice president implored voters watching at home to make a gut decision about which party they trust to protect their Medicare benefits. "Folks, follow your instincts on this one," Biden said.
| In other words, whatever you do, don't think. |
Huh? Get that shoe outta your mouth!
Look, folks, use your common sense. Who do you trust on this? A man who introduced a bill that would raise it $6,400 a year, knowing it and passing it, and Romney saying he'd sign it? Or me and the president?"
Not bad, for an old dingbat.
Ryan countered by charging that the Obama administration had been "caught with their hands in the cookie jar" by cutting $716 billion in Medicare funding in Obama's health-care law. And Ryan said the Democrats do not have a "credible solution" that would stabilize the costly entitlement program for the future.
"He'll say all these things to try and scare people," Ryan said. "Here's what we're saying: Give younger people, when they become Medicare eligible, guaranteed coverage options that you can't be denied, including traditional Medicare. Choose your plan, and then Medicare subsidizes your premiums, not as much for the wealthy people, more coverage for middle-income people, and total out-of-pocket coverage for the poor and the sick."
No wonder the Dems prefer attack ads. It's harder to lie when the other side answers right back.
Noting the historic significance of two Catholic candidates sharing the debate stage, Raddatz asked each man about the role their religion plays in their policy views on abortion.
Ryan said he opposes abortion in part because of his Catholic faith, but also because of "reason and science." He said a Romney administration would oppose abortion with exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. "I don't see how a person can separate their public life from their private life or from their faith," Ryan said.
Biden said he opposes abortion in his personal life, but said he does not believe the government should make such restrictions on citizens. "I refuse to impose it on equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews, and I just refuse to impose that on others, unlike my friend here, the congressman," he said. "I do not believe that we have a right to tell other people
careful, Joe
that --
careful....
women they can't control their body. It's a decision between them and their doctor."
The doctor we will choose for you, unless we choose send you to an abortionist.