I thought Biden won last night's debate because he came off as genuine, passionate and brimming with conviction. Ryan, by contrast, seemed like a wooden marionette, a kid out of his depth relative to someone who not only knew the facts but lived them.
On taxes, Ryan couldn't come up with any details about what loopholes he and Romney would close, or how their magic arithmetic (giant tax cut for the wealthy plus $2 trillion more for the military than the joint chiefs of staff want) can possibly be paid for without socking it to the middle class.
By contrast, Biden made the case for average working people whose wages have barely risen in 30 years but who are bearing a higher total tax burden (payroll, sales, property, income) on a higher percent of their income than high rollers like Romney -- and why the well-off should do more.
On Medicare, Ryan couldn't explain why his plan wasn't a voucher program that "saved" money only by shifting the costs on to seniors who would end up holding the bag as medical costs rose. Biden effectively defended the president's plan to save Medicare by cutting excessive payments to providers.
Biden also pointed out that Ryan and his allies had tried to privatize Social Security. Score another one for Joe.
On abortion, Ryan had to admit he and Romney would work to prevent women from having the right to choose an abortion if they needed and wanted one. Biden made it clear his religious beliefs about when life began should not, in his view, force anyone who didn't share them to follow them.
I thought Biden's closing could have been tougher, drawing a sharper contrast between the Romney-Ryan "you're on your own" worldview, and the "we're in it all together" belief that has built America -- and which Obama and Biden represent.
But overall it was Biden's night. He not only trounced Ryan, but also, in the process, trounced Romney. Joe Biden is an average Joe solidly grounded in America's working middle class -- nothing pretentious or devious about him -- in contrast to the plutocrat who heads the Republican ticket, and the billionaires who are backing him.
ROBERT B. REICH, Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley, was Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the last century. He has written thirteen books, including the best sellers "Aftershock" and "The Work of Nations." His latest is an e-book, "Beyond Outrage," now available in paperback. He is also a founding editor of the American Prospect magazine and chairman of Common Cause.
Follow Robert Reich on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RBReich
Davis Schneiderman: Joe Biden and Paul Ryan: They Take It on Faith
 |
 |
|
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Votes (270 to win) |
332 | 206 |
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 65,899,660 | 60,932,152 |
| Percent | 51.1% | 47.2% |
| Democrats* | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Senate | 53 | 47 |
| Seats gained or lost | +2 | -2 |
| New Total | 55 | 45 |
| Democrats | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats won | 201 | 234 |
But look what this man has done on behalf of the middle class, and when you sit down and really think about it he is a fighter. I am sticking with him. Look at the big picture, and one debate will not cause me to collapse and run.
http://napoleonlive.info/politics/fact-obama-not-a-leader/
Please, Robert, no need to belabor the obvious for dramatic effect.
I know Mr Biden is pro abortion, and being a Pro life voter who knows abortion is murder; so immoral I could never vote for him.He's a big-spender who has been in DC for 20- 30 years,also. If he's so great why is it such a mess?
And if you're going to go after Biden for being a career politician, then you better look at the other side of the aisle.
And, if you want to be honest, this mess is a direct result of the career politicians who are in Congress. Take away their lifetime health care and the other "perks" of being an elected politician and watch how quickly stuff gets done in Congress.
Two Old guy's That RULE!
Obama/Biden 2012
ryan could only present himself as the facade that he is. What you describe as condescending is simply Biden's reaction to the big heap of nothing that ryan had to offer, the tired and worn vague promises. The same heap-o-nothing that Herbert Hoover had to offer.
The killer follow up is "In January 2009 we were headed in the wrong direction when the USA lost over 500,000 in a month. That was the wrong direction." And maybe follow up with a few of the months before that with massive job loss numbers. Then note the continuous months of job growth.
You might even point out the only job loss month was August of 2011 when GOP Congressional leaders decided to sink any budget deal within reason resulting in downgrade by Moodys.
Mentally, his tail was tucked between his legs.
"Deer caught in the Headlights look" on "Son of Sketch" Ryan, more than once.