2012 Vice Presidential Debate Impressions

As Romney gained traction in the election, everyone was preparing for the second debate of the month, the debate between Vice President Biden and Congressman Ryan. I remember watching Biden passionately argue with Sarah Palin four years ago, and I was looking forward to seeing Biden in action again. This time I went to a more packed bar with the TV volume turned up to drown out the noise from patrons and the sports broadcasts. Little did I know how Biden would surprise everyone when he faced off against the Republican rival.

Almost immediately Biden gave the impression that he was not going to take his opponent seriously. The first question was about mishandling the Libya terrorist attack, and Biden admitted that the government initially reported an incorrect reason for the event. When Ryan got a chance to speak, Biden was staring at the ceiling, leaning back, and smiling. I thought it odd at the time until Biden made his rebuttal, that what Ryan was saying about foreign policy was “malarkey.” Biden then elaborated on his position before going on the offensive.

Biden continued the act through the night, not allowing Ryan to recite his talking points like Obama let Romney the week before. On Medicare, Biden addressed the audience to make sure they understood that current enrollee services have not been cut at all contrary to what Romney and Ryan want them to believe. Biden stressed that facts matter when talking about the Iranian nuclear program. Even if Iran were working toward weapons-grade uranium, Biden claimed, Iran has no delivery system for a nuclear weapon using the enriched uranium. Biden kept interrupting Ryan as Ryan tried as hard as he could to make the Obama administration look bad. Biden did allow Ryan some leeway when abortion was brought up, but that might have been allowed for the audience to understand why two Catholics have opposing views on the issue.

The debate seemed to be rejuvenation for the Obama campaign. I thought they were experimenting with what Biden, and maybe Obama, could get away with when trying to attack what they consider to be misrepresentations from their opponents. I enjoyed watching Vice President Biden even if it seemed he was performing the Saturday Night Live routine that would be aired at the end of the week. Two debates remained, and Obama looked to take cues from Biden’s act for a town hall meeting.