Biden vs Ryan

[Clinton1996]

I'm still gonna go out on a limb and still say edge Biden. But a Ryan debate legit scares me now. Can the old man pull it out? What does it look like? And no trolling saying " Ryan will out-statistic Biden, and he'll just gaffe the entire time". (Winfield and Politico)

[Rhodie]

I'm still gonna go out on a limb and still say edge Biden. But a Ryan debate legit scares me now. Can the old man pull it out? What does it look like? And no trolling saying " Ryan will out-statistic Biden, and he'll just gaffe the entire time". (Winfield and Politico)

Biden only just scraped by against Palin. He'll be crushed.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

To be fair, Ryan probably will out-statistic Biden.

[pepper11]

Its going to be fun to watch no matter what...

[Clinton1996]

I'm still gonna go out on a limb and still say edge Biden. But a Ryan debate legit scares me now. Can the old man pull it out? What does it look like? And no trolling saying " Ryan will out-statistic Biden, and he'll just gaffe the entire time". (Winfield and Politico)

Biden only just scraped by against Palin. He'll be crushed.

Palin just beat expectations. Everyone thought Biden won.
"According to a poll of uncommitted voters conducted immediately after the debate by CBS News and the former Knowledge Network, 46% thought Senator Biden won the debate, 21% thought Governor Palin had won, and 33% thought it was a tie. Fox News Channel held a poll regarding the performance of each candidate, with 51% of the votes in favor of Biden, and 39% in favor of Palin. The Opinion Research Corporation's poll on the debate revealed that 51% of viewers felt Biden had won, while 36% were in favor of Palin. In the same poll, 87% said Biden was capable of fulfilling the duties of the vice presidency, while 42% said Palin is. Palin was considered more likable however, scoring 54% to Biden's 36%.Mark Halperin of Time graded both candidates' performances a B."

[J. J.]

I've seen Ryan taking on Obama.  Edge to Ryan (though it will have about as much effect and Bentson's win in 1988).

[Stranger in a strange land]

I've seen Ryan taking on Obama.  Edge to Ryan (though it will have about as much effect and Bentson's win in 1988).

Too bad Ryan won't be debating Obama.

[Speaker Dereich]

It really depends on the debate topics. I'm sure Biden would win big points on foreign policy discussion, while Ryan has the edge on deficit reduction. The fact that Ryan has a plan (which lets him attack) while Biden will be forced to defend the administration and his role in it has me give Ryan an edge. And yeah, Ryan probably will out statistic Biden.

[pepper11]

Biden clearly won the debate but it was seen as a victory because Biden didn't pummel her. Biden is going to be playing defense for most of this one however. It seems like domestic issue have dominate the past few VP debates.

[Senator Sbane]

Biden will represent older Americans who are accustomed to Medicare and Social Security. Republicans would not want people in Ohio and Florida to watch that debate.

[pepper11]

Biden will represent older Americans who are accustomed to Medicare and Social Security. Republicans would not want people in Ohio and Florida to watch that debate.

Seeing that Ryan's plan would not change anything for older American's I am not so sure about this.

[stegosaurus]

Paul Ryan could make Joe Biden look stupid, the trick for him is not doing so. Ryan is in the tough position of defending entitlement reform in a debate with a senior citizen, he does not want to look like a disrespectful, inconsiderate punk by blowing Biden out of the water. Romney has enough of an "a-hole" problem as it is.

[Svensson]

Objectively, Biden is boned. The man legitimately did just scrape by Palin, proving that either she had one night out of character or that his specialty seriously isn't debating, and now he gets to match someone who has spent most of his recent years in Congress debating.

Ryan might have all the charisma of a toaster, but strictly speaking, I find him far more intelligent than both his opponent and his predecessor.

[America™]

Ryan vs Biden is a going to be a much more interesting debate anyways. Obama/Romney is going to be a relatively safe debate while Ryan/Biden could get interesting

[pepper11]

Ryan vs Biden is a going to be a much more interesting debate anyways. Obama/Romney is going to be a relatively safe debate while Ryan/Biden could get interesting

[A-Bob]

Ryan will win, however the bar by blabbing conservatives and fox will set the bar very high that it may look like a tie.

[All life is a blur of Republicans and meat.]

What is all this "Biden scraped by against Palin" nonsense? He easily won but he did so while looking like a gentleman, which is what he had to do. Biden is not dumb. He won't have to hold back against Ryan.

Ryan isn't dumb either though, so it should be a good and hopefully intense debate. It'll definitely be better than the snoozefest we would have got with Portman or the annihilation we would have seen with Pawlenty.

[Senator Sbane]

Biden will represent older Americans who are accustomed to Medicare and Social Security. Republicans would not want people in Ohio and Florida to watch that debate.

Seeing that Ryan's plan would not change anything for older American's I am not so sure about this.

This is assuming they aren't jealous bastards who don't care about their kids or grandkids. Why is there an exemption down to 55 years old besides electoral advantage? Is there any valid reason for it? Those already enrolled in Medicare should be allowed to continue, but why exempt those who are years away from enrolling?

[TJ in Wisco]

Biden will represent older Americans who are accustomed to Medicare and Social Security. Republicans would not want people in Ohio and Florida to watch that debate.

Seeing that Ryan's plan would not change anything for older American's I am not so sure about this.

This is assuming they aren't jealous bastards who don't care about their kids or grandkids. Why is there an exemption down to 55 years old besides electoral advantage? Is there any valid reason for it? Those already enrolled in Medicare should be allowed to continue, but why exempt those who are years away from enrolling?

The logic is probably that it gives those close to enrolling a pass since their financial planning was done with the understanding that they would be able to enroll. I'm sure there is some electoral consideration involved too. Obviously a budget plan must be able to actually pass for it to actually happen. The line has to be drawn somewhere and Ryan chose 55.

Discussing changes to the Medicare/Social security system is one of the unspeakable truths in American politics, that it will one day collapse if significant changes are not made. It remains to be seen if the voters will appreciate such honesty or eviscerate him for breaking the taboo. By choosing Ryan, Romney may have defined this election as such.

[Clinton1996]

Objectively, Biden is boned. The man legitimately did just scrape by Palin, proving that either she had one night out of character or that his specialty seriously isn't debating, and now he gets to match someone who has spent most of his recent years in Congress debating.

Ryan might have all the charisma of a toaster, but strictly speaking, I find him far more intelligent than both his opponent and his predecessor.

The thing is, the campaign didn't want Biden to pummel Palin and seem like he was talking down to her, like Bush seemed in 1984 against Ferraro. Now with Ryan, Biden can go all out against Ryan and Romney like he did back in the Senate. Don't forget, Biden comes from a time where there was actually spirited floor fights and debate in the US Senate. Everything wasn't done beforehand by party leaders in committee back then. Ryan is also gifted at argument. What's certain, this will be the most interesting VP debate in decades.

[President Marokai]

The Medicare and Social Security "problems" are two of perhaps the easiest solved issues in American politics right now, let's not pretend they require some unknown, wonky, new approach that has never been attempted ever before. The only reason no headway has been made on those issues and have subsquently been made "taboo" is because the ideology of the Right in this country has never actually been geared toward problem solving, but rather, focused on using problems as a vehicle to implement their ideological view of what government should do, rather than what it can do.

[TJ in Wisco]

The Medicare and Social Security "problems" are two of perhaps the easiest solved issues in American politics right now, let's not pretend they require some unknown, wonky, new approach that has never been attempted ever before. The only reason no headway has been made on those issues and have subsquently been made "taboo" is because the ideology of the Right in this country has never actually been geared toward problem solving, but rather, focused on using problems as a vehicle to implement their ideological view of what government should do, rather than what it can do.

The left hasn't been remotely interested in dealing with it either. Every mention of what to do about the massive budget apocalypse of these programs is either demagogued ruthlessly as ___ hates old people/sick people/poor people/etc or just proposing some statement-making tax increase that does nothing to address the massive looming shortfall. No, the left has been raiding social security over the years just like everyone else.

[milhouse24]

The trick is to make Biden look very old and out of touch.  Biden has the energy of a man ten years younger, but he's still a relatively old guy; and the age will catch up to him at some point.  Make Biden look senile and stupid with all his gaffes.  I would advise Biden to get a lot of rest for the next month, just try to do nothing stressful.  

Ryan may look too young and nerdy compared to Biden.  Ryan has to connect to voters empathetically and not with numbers.  He needs to be the compassionate next generation of Catholic politicians, taking the baton from Biden.  

Biden's always been very good at ramble-rousing, and that is his strength.  Ryan has to make voters love him more than Joe.  

[President Marokai]

The Medicare and Social Security "problems" are two of perhaps the easiest solved issues in American politics right now, let's not pretend they require some unknown, wonky, new approach that has never been attempted ever before. The only reason no headway has been made on those issues and have subsquently been made "taboo" is because the ideology of the Right in this country has never actually been geared toward problem solving, but rather, focused on using problems as a vehicle to implement their ideological view of what government should do, rather than what it can do.

The left hasn't been remotely interested in dealing with it either. Every mention of what to do about the massive budget apocalypse of these programs is either demagogued ruthlessly as ___ hates old people/sick people/poor people/etc or just proposing some statement-making tax increase that does nothing to address the massive looming shortfall. No, the left has been raiding social security over the years just like everyone else.

A left-wing party would follow through on those solutions. Your problem is considering the Democratic Party as a left-wing party.

[Clinton1996]

The trick is to make Biden look very old and out of touch.  Biden has the energy of a man ten years younger, but he's still a relatively old guy; and the age will catch up to him at some point.  Make Biden look senile and stupid with all his gaffes.  I would advise Biden to get a lot of rest for the next month, just try to do nothing stressful.  

Biden has only made like one gaffe all year, and that was his endorsement of marriage equality. And even that one wasn't considered a huge gaffe.

Ryan may look too young and nerdy compared to Biden.  Ryan has to connect to voters empathetically and not with numbers.  He needs to be the compassionate next generation of Catholic politicians, taking the baton from Biden. Ryan has to make voters love him more than Joe.  

That's easier said than done. Biden's very popular among working class whites. He's got that crazy lovable grandpa, or favorite drunk uncle thing going for him. Romney strikes you as your smug neighbor or boss and Ryan is tour brother in law who the family never quite likes.
And I think Brian Schweitzer is next in line as "the compassionate next generation of Catholic politicians." That title been in the Democratic Family since the 1960s. JFK, RFK, EMK, JRB, and now BDS.