PHOENIX, October 11, 2012 ― At tonight’s vice-presidential debate, Vice President Joe Biden smirked, laughed, and, highlighting the age difference between the two candidates, said the word ‘malarkey.’
In the end, Biden’s age and debate experience did not garner him much respect; he was absolutely disrespectful. His behavior reminded many of Al Gore’s debate performance in 2000 against George W. Bush, when Gore’s constant sighs and audible reactions overshadowed his case against Bush.
During sensitive topics such as Iran, Libya, and healthcare, Biden showed his disdain for not only his opponent, but also the American process and the people. Biden has every right to completely disagree with Paul Ryan on these issues, but to openly disrespect the opposing candidate is amateurish at best.
Last week, Obama’s head was down most of the time as he busily scribbled notes while Romney was speaking. This had viewers commenting that he was un-presidential, even a bit absentminded.
The first presidential debate caused tilted momentum toward the Romney-Ryan ticket. It lead to the President losing ground in most swing-states and allowed for Romney to make huge gains throughout.
Compared to Obama’s debate performance last week, Biden was just plain bizarre, and his decision to laugh and smirk during Ryan’s remarks nullified any of his serious policy arguments.
As with the famous Kennedy-Nixon debate, which Nixon won according to those who only heard the debate, had you heard this debate on radio, you might have thought Biden won. But if you watched on television, Ryan, like Kennedy, won.
Post debate, the media is claiming that Team Obama has recovered from last week’s disastrous debate performance.
Overall, though this was a good and interesting debate, few votes will change as a result of it. It may help swing some of those undecided votes toward the younger congressman as ole’ Uncle Joe, shows his doddering contempt for the process, once again.
Next week’s presidential debate should be interesting, but the main attraction will be the foreign policy debate in two weeks.
Email Henry D’Andrea at writedandrea@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter (@TheHenry)
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
