The vice presidential debate was not about substance. It was about style.
Let’s face it, very few voters, if any, will cast their ballot based on the outcome of any vice-presidential debate. However, after Obama’s lackluster performance in the first presidential debate, a sound defeat of Biden by Ryan would have been a significant setback for the Obama campaign.
After watching Romney make an aggressive/offensive attack against Obama in the first presidential debate, Biden’s debate coaches apparently wanted to make sure to avoid a repeat in the only vice presidential debate. It was obvious to me that their strategy was simple…Don’t Lose! A tie is OK…just don’t let Ryan win! His debate coaches must have said to him:
“Don’t let Ryan get on a roll.”
“Don’t let Ryan sound credible.”
“Everything Ryan says, ‘deny or contradict. ’”
“If you can’t deny or contradict, snicker.”
Biden didn’t have to win. He just had to get through 90 minutes with minimal damage and make sure that the debate for who will occupy the White House is left up to Obama and Romney. The Democrats could not risk a Dan Quayle moment at this time.
In my opinion, Biden thoroughly accomplished his goal. How did he accomplish his goal?
He was rude. Estimates are Biden interrupted Ryan over 80 times. That might be a stretch, but it was easily more than 25 times.
He was condescending. At least ten times he referred to Congressman Ryan as “my friend” as in “And let me tell you what my friend said at a press conference announcing his support…”
He was inappropriate. When the camera was not on Biden, he could be heard snickering and guffawing as Ryan was speaking. And when the camera turned on Biden he would flash a toothy smile…a smile that said, “Try as you might, there is not going to be a meaningful debate tonight.”
Ryan seemed to arrive thinking this would be some sort of organized debate. He had his facts and points ready to lay out in front of the American public, only to discover that he was not involved in a debate at all. He was involved in an ambush…an ambush for which he was not prepared. The best retort Ryan could muster was, “Mr. Vice President, I know you’re under a lot of stress to make up for lost ground, but I think people would be better served if we don’t keep interrupting each other.”
Don’t misunderstand me. Although it may sound like I am being critical of Biden, I am not. I think it was a stroke of genius to develop a strategy to ensure that Biden and Ryan not get entangled in any kind of meaningful debate. There was absolutely no upside for Biden to win the debate. None at all. People would just note that Biden won and then focus on the presidential debate. But if Ryan steamrolled Biden? Voters would talk about it and it would add more pressure to Obama in the final two debates.
The Democrats decided to not take any chances. Just on the off-chance that Ryan really had his act together and would present a tough opponent in a debate, they made sure he was not going to get that chance.
It worked. Biden executed his strategy perfectly and no one is discussing the vice presidential debate except to note its entertainment value (SNL did a great parody).
As far as substance is concerned, I don’t think either vice presidential candidate said anything new or earth-shattering…that is, when they decided to actually answer Martha’s questions.
This debate was not about substance. It was about style. And with his style, Joe Biden accomplished his goal. And that goal was to make sure the presidential candidates get to decide this election.
The second presidential debate is Tuesday, October 16th beginning at 9pm Eastern. This debate, moderated by Candy Crowley, will have citizens asking questions of the candidates on domestic and foreign policy. The final debate will be Monday, the 22nd.
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