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PREGAME
Well hello there ladies and gentlemen! Thanks for joining us for the 2012 U.S. Vice Presidential debate, also known as “Welcome to Gaffesville, Population Joe Biden” or “How many times can Paul Ryan say ‘Janesville, Wisconsin’ in 90 minutes?”
In case you’ve been under a rock for the past week and you get your American political news from a Canadian digital publication (and I expect there are many of you), here’s what you need to know: Mitt Romney resurrected his previously moribund campaign with a strong performance in last week’s debate against President Obama. Romney may have on a couple of occasions – ahem- exaggerated the truth about some policies, but Obama failed to call him out on it, and just generally seemed a little worn out, prompting most pundits and polls to declare Romney the victor and unleashing a shitstorm of liberal gripes about Obama.
With Romney surging in the polls, Democrats are hoping that Vice President Biden, whose foot seems to be permanently lodged in his own mouth, can stop the bleeding tonight by schooling the young self-proclaimed “wonk” from Wisconsin, and Romney’s running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan. Biden is a grizzled veteran of the national political scene but prone to saying really stupid things, while Ryan is young and energetic with an “aw-shucks” Midwestern personality, but he also lacks any tangible foreign policy experience.
THE DEBATE
9:10 PM Moderator Martha Raddatz of ABC News gets down to business immediately, asking about the recent terrorist attack in Benghazi, which soon becomes a larger discussion about national security. Ryan attacks the Obama administration for “weakness” in the Middle East, drawing incredulous laughs from Biden: “That’s a bunch of malarkey,” he exclaims, causing Google to explode. Biden’s coming out very feisty tonight, in stark contrast to Obama last week.
9:20 PM Sticking with foreign policy, Raddatz asks about Iran. Ryan mentions Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent trip to the U.S. where Obama didn’t meet with him so that he could “go on a talk show,” as a way of suggesting that the U.S. and Israel have different perceptions of the Iranian threat (hello, Florida!), which Biden immediately dismisses.
When they talk more specifically about Iran, however, Biden starts to lose it. Ryan rips the administration for not doing enough on Iran, but doesn’t really offer any ideas on what a Romney government would do. Biden looks like he’s on the verge of erupting, and becomes seized with uncontrollable fits of laughter and head shaking.
It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to deduce that Biden doesn’t respect Ryan. Everything Ryan says seems to be the most absurd thing that Biden has ever heard, prompting continuous lecturing from the Vice President. I’m almost waiting for Biden to start calling Ryan “junior,” though he seems to be sticking with “my friend” for now.
9:27 PM Biden references Romney’s now-famous 47% quote, something Obama surprisingly failed to do last week. This leads into a pretty strong economic argument, including Biden’s contention that the Republicans are more beholden to Grover Norquist than the middle class (Grover Norquist is a conservative leader who gets politicians to sign a pledge saying they will never, under any circumstances, raise taxes. He has become one of the most influential people in American politics. Yes, it is stupid.)
Ryan responds by mentioning the high unemployment rate in Scranton, Biden’s hometown. Biden snaps back by telling Ryan to look at the statistics and giving the crowd a “you’ve got to be kidding me” look. Ryan proceeds with a clichéd set of promises about restoring economic growth by helping out “job creators,” “championing small business” and making “trade work for America.” Thanks, Congressman.
9:33 PM Funny moment as Ryan rips the administration for the economic stimulus package, prompting Biden to point out that Ryan himself had lobbied for stimulus funding for his congressional district in Wisconsin. Awkward silence.
9:40 PM In the middle of a healthcare debate, Ryan chides Biden for interrupting, saying, “I know you’re under a lot of duress to make up for lost ground, but I think people would be better served if we don’t interrupt each other.” A bit of a canned line, but I think a strong moment for Ryan. Biden is walking a fine line with his attitude towards Ryan, and I actually think it would play well for Ryan if he called Biden out on it a little more.
9:49 PM A shout-out to Canada as Ryan talks about our 15% tax rate in a discussion about small businesses. Ryan says he and Romney would fund the tax cut by “closing loopholes”, and then refuses to give any details other than to say they would work in a “bipartisan” way. Raddatz seemingly betrays her impartiality for a moment, sarcastically asking if they have any specifics or if they are “still working on it.” Awkward silence.
9:52 PM Hilarious moment as Ryan defends the idea of cutting taxes to grow the economy and erase a deficit by saying that it’s what Jack Kennedy did. “Now you’re Jack Kennedy!”, Biden exclaims, drawing an uncomfortable smile from Ryan. Clear reference to the famous 1988 VP debate, when Lloyd Bentsen shot down a Kennedy mention from Dan Quayle:
10:07 PM The debate returns to foreign policy and the subject of Afghanistan. Ryan says that the Republicans agree about the 2014 date to withdraw from the country but reject making an announcement about leaving in 2014. Biden again on the verge of losing it, but in fairness, what Ryan’s saying makes no sense.
10:14 PM In talking about Syria, Raddatz asks Ryan if the U.S. would intervene in a foreign country in the case of a humanitarian crisis. “Each situation will come with its own circumstances,” Ryan responds. Don’t you love politicians?
10:23 PM Raddatz asks the candidates if they think the campaign’s tone has become too negative. Both Biden and Ryan apparently don’t listen to the question and proceed to attack each other. Way to go, fellas.
10:30 PM Closing remarks. Biden throws out the 47% comment again (gee, I wonder if that was planned?) and talks about leveling the playing field for the middle class. Ryan causes me to laugh out loud for the first time tonight, forcedly saying, “It’s been an honor to engage in this critical debate”, before returning to his innovative themes of jobs and taxes. Debate over, posing for cameras ensues.
POSTGAME
This was really entertaining television. Biden was definitely the more dominant personality, and seemed to have a much more comprehensive grasp of the issues than Ryan, whose youth and inexperience showed up on a couple occasions. However, Biden’s inability to control himself at times, especially as it manifested in laughing fits and constant interruptions (wouldn’t you know it, in the spin room after the debate the Republicans had already counted that Biden interrupted Ryan 82 times) could be perceived as a little condescending.
Ultimately, I think both sides got what they wanted. The Democrats saw Biden give a feisty performance that got the taste of Obama’s sleepwalking episode from a week ago out of their mouths. For Republicans, Ryan was maybe a little overmatched but at least seemed competent on foreign policy, which the debate was largely about and which was considered to be his weakness. Call it a draw. On to the next Presidential debate, Tuesday night.
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Matthew Frisch writes Foreign Desk for Toronto Standard. Follow him @mfrisch.
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