2012 Presidential Election (free for all edition)

I think none of that matters in the current state of political affairs. I would cite many Tea Party speeches as examples. Biden came out and spoke with populist appeal.

The other side has "brought it" like this numerous times and the dems just run away with their tail between their legs. Cheers to Biden for recognizing what needed to be done with this debate. And cheers for being a bit upset with the Romney/Ryan ticket, which has flip flopped on numerous issues to see what sticks. Ryan looked startled and canned in his responses IMO.

Keep in mind, these "debates" are more about confidence and command than substance. I think Biden won in all those areas.

Acting like a child, being unprofessional and rude - all of these, to me, do not demonstrate "confidence and command" but rather the exact opposite. I don't care if it's Biden, Democrats, Tea Partiers or Abraham Lincoln - such demeanor in a supposedly civil debate was inappropriate and unprofessional.

Are you trying to tell me that, if the demeanors had been switched and it was Ryan interrupting, smirking, etc., you would credit Ryan for exhibiting "confidence and command"? Really?

Pardon me if I find that hard to believe.

Joe Biden was a little over the top and rude at times, but let's not go overboard here. No one's not voting Democrat or switching parties over last night. And the idea of fence sitters this late in the game is complete and utter bullshit. People know where they stood far in advance of these debates.

Joe Biden won the debate hands down, but I thought Paul Ryan handled himself well. Call it a draw, a split decision or whatever, but it won't change the fundamentals of the race.

Theatrics aside, I did think it was for the most part substantive.

In my opinion, (1) Biden was more than a "a little over the top"; (2) not sure I agree that Biden won "hands down", I would agree with pretty much everything else you've said.

Debates bump your base and maybe pick up a few fence sitters (or more accurately, give a final push off the fence for people already leaning your way). Poll numbers indicate that their are still undecideds in this race, my guess is most are leaning one way or another and are just looking for a reason not to stay home on election day. As you said, nothing in this debate changed any of the fundamentals.

Joe Biden was a little over the top and rude at times, but let's not go overboard here. No one's not voting Democrat or switching parties over last night. And the idea of fence sitters this late in the game is complete and utter bullshit. People know where they stood far in advance of these debates.

Joe Biden won the debate hands down, but I thought Paul Ryan handled himself well. Call it a draw, a split decision or whatever, but it won't change the fundamentals of the race.

Theatrics aside, I did think it was for the most part substantive.

I planned to vote Libertarian, and still likely will, but I did watch the debate (didn't watch the first one) and for me Biden's over the top act moved me closer to vote for Romney.

I probably will watch the last debate (there is one more right?) and end up voting Libertarian cause I won't like either of them.

I think none of that matters in the current state of political affairs. I would cite many Tea Party speeches as examples. Biden came out and spoke with populist appeal.

The other side has "brought it" like this numerous times and the dems just run away with their tail between their legs. Cheers to Biden for recognizing what needed to be done with this debate. And cheers for being a bit upset with the Romney/Ryan ticket, which has flip flopped on numerous issues to see what sticks. Ryan looked startled and canned in his responses IMO.

Keep in mind, these "debates" are more about confidence and command than substance. I think Biden won in all those areas.

Funny you say that. As a lawyer when your in court its like a debate. If you acted like Biden a judge would have kicked you out of the court room in the first 10 minutes.

I will also say this (and yes I know it was not a court room setting) -- if an attorney behaved in the manner Biden did while presenting a case at trial - rolling his eyes, smirking, laughing when not speaking and interrupting opposing counsel & the judge, he would have been found in contempt so fast it wouldn't be funny.

If you can't advocate your position without being an ass, then either you are truly an ass or your position is just not that strong.

You can't lie or bullshit in court. All Biden did was laugh at him a few times, which can't be helped when the guy across is making wild claims, said malarkey and fought for his court time.

This is much to do about nothing...but... there's still a chance for the bullshit ticket that is Romney/Ryan to win so get your vote on.

Biden's demeanor and interruptions were embarrassing. I didn't watch the first debate, and have for the most part given up on the political system, but for me, just off that debate, I may end up voting for Romney(not that it would matter much in Md).


So much for principles and independence...

Just posted this a bit earlier on fb. Dems are weak and pushovers but when they grow a pair and don't BS they are rude?

Huge hypocrisy.

I love it. Democrats need to take it to the opponent with a freaking sledgehammer. I'm sick of being pushed around by the far right. Durbin had it spot on: the only reason repubs are talking about bidens smiling or interrupting is because Ryan was destroyed in all other areas.



They want to have their cake, eat it, and then have yours too. Unbelievable. They can go suck a dck and choke on it.

FACT CHECK: Slips in vice president's debate - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/fact-check-slips-vice-presidents-debate-023354584--election.html)

Funny you say that. As a lawyer when your in court its like a debate. If you acted like Biden a judge would have kicked you out of the court room in the first 10 minutes.

These "debates" aren't like court cases either, so I'm not following why we should use that as a comparison.

Acting like a child, being unprofessional and rude - all of these, to me, do not demonstrate "confidence and command" but rather the exact opposite. I don't care if it's Biden, Democrats, Tea Partiers or Abraham Lincoln - such demeanor in a supposedly civil debate was inappropriate and unprofessional.

Are you trying to tell me that, if the demeanors had been switched and it was Ryan interrupting, smirking, etc., you would credit Ryan for exhibiting "confidence and command"? Really?

Pardon me if I find that hard to believe.

Maybe not. I mean there are several factors here.

1- Ryan is much younger and less experienced than Biden. If Ryan acted the same way I would think he has very little footing for such a reaction. I think Biden, on the other hand, does.

2 - my mind has already been made up prior to this debate, based on the issues and the respective party platforms. I'm sure that has an impact on my thoughts. Additionally I would say that's exactly what Biden needed to do. Energize supporters after a poor Obama debate performance. I wouldn't be surprised if the polls push back over to the dems side since there will be more energized dems. Same thing happened in the polls due to gops voters last week.

3 - civil and professional debates would be great but the general population doesn't care. It's a combination of lack of education/awareness, a two party system full of bickering even G.W. warned us about, lack of campaign finance reform and out of control dollars in the game (via Super PACs and lobbyists). This isnt changing anytime soon, unless there is a popular referendum or uprising. So I'm fine with the realistic candidate, which I most support, finding a way to win.