The Biden v. Ryan Debate Thread

Speaking of sitcoms:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/3751_10151438103293368_650751246_n.jpg

omg

Here he is playing in the woods.

http://www.yourprops.com/movieprops/default/yp_504a453a4fe5d9.40596297/Tom-Dobbs-Robin-Williams-Hat.jpg

What Ezra Klein learned about Paul Ryan.

I expect this debate to be mostly inconsequential but also pretty hilarious

The chances that Ryan, by looking good and sounding smart, can help his ticket are much higher than the chances that Biden will bring Obama a single vote.This debate only works against Romney-Ryan if Biden scores direct hits against Romney (hits against Ryan don't count for much), or if Ryan spouts off on policy in such a way that it scares people on a personal level (such as Social Security privatization) and it was so plainspoken that it can't be spun away or denied later.

if Ryan spouts more blatant lies like he did at the convention and Romney did at the last debate, it will not be good for them. I dunno if Biden will be quick enough to catch/exploit them but who knows

It's true that politicians sometimes have their favorite little facts that illustrate their point, and it turns out to be some urban myth. Ryan may not have had all these beaten out of him by his handlers, yet.

curious whether Ryan will take the same tack as Romney and run away from or obfuscate their most unpopular & controversial campaign positions, or let it all hang out

*zip* "Here ya go."

whoa there

http://timethemoment.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/time_paulryan_20111205_04021.jpg

lol

Ryan's instinct is to let it all hang out and trust that he can outargue you, bcz he is a true believer and a smart guy. This is a common Achillean Heel of many smart people (as I know from personal experience).

Surely he's hamstrung by the Romney plans versus his own in that regard

Figured it out -- Ryan was saying "Don't touch my junk" in that photo.

Ryan's instinct is to let it all hang out and trust that he can outargue you, bcz he is a true believer and a smart guy.

yeah this is what I was alluding to (and hoping for)

but I'm sure the campaign doesn't want him to do that

women's reproductive rights HAS to come up in this debate right? with a guy up there at the podium who has co-sponsored bills with Akin and said that his position and Romney's are identical on that issue?

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbqo4r75qI1qza0tpo1_500.jpg

I'd be surprised if Biden doesn't bring it up

xp

http://www.theonion.com/articles/bidens-handlers-suggesting-he-forget-the-words-pin,29870/

Yeah, I'm really surprised the Onion guys haven't fallen all over themselves to put out articles, but I'm guessing they're holding them to do twitter jokes tonight

The Biden persona is too familiar, but I like where they're going with Ryan's:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/naked-tiedup-paul-ryan-tells-staff-he-cant-prepare,29872/

http://media.salon.com/2012/10/rand_ryan_cover2.jpg

would happily ban all ppl who use 'amerika,' 'amerikan,' and all variations thereof from ever talking about politics ever again.

what about amerikkka

what about kafka

the picture in that biden article is what made it work for me.

i'd be fine with letting kafka handle all political discussions from now on

With failing eyes he could still see his hospital bill immediately before him, figure leaning against figure, watching the final act. "Like Big Bird!" he said; it was as if the shame of it must outlive him.

Dear Joe Biden, Please preface your opening remarks by humming a few bars of the "Sesame Street" theme ok thx bye

Everyone's staking waaaaay too many chips on tonight

hear hear

Wait, are you saying you don't remember how the entire election was decided after the '08 VP debate?

is there a drinking game for this?

O'Douls in honor of the veep.

There was no conceivable way that Sarah Palin was ever going to be VP, let alone Pres. Even if Ryan does not become VP, which is likely, there is a not insignificant chance of him running for pres somewhere down the line, and, at least given what little we have to work with now, winning (why the hell not? he's uncontested!). But if he tanks, he not only slows the Mittmentum, but handicaps himself when it comes to future national stage endeavors. So, yeah, there's more hinging on this one than usual, maybe not when it comes to the current race, but when it comes to the broader narrative.

In other words, there better be a drinking game. The one I'm playing is having a few drinks before the debate even starts. Everyone's a winner!

Alfred: Just curious--what does matter in determining this election? Tonight's debate doesn't matter, the Libyan embassy doesn't matter, this gaffe doesn't matter, that controversy doesn't matter, the media doesn't matter, the polls don't matter, etc. What does matter?

What matters is how well the incumbent persuades the relatively small number of indies that their medical health and economic security are best left under his care. The rest keeps David Gregory employed.

Fair enough. At least I got you on the record.

A VP debate shouldn't mean anything but a tedious presidential debate with no major moments shouldn't have turned the race upside down.

With a female moderator i'm hoping she brings up women's issues.

Martha Raddatz seems like a badass.

Martha Rad-ass.

ryan looks like jay cutler in that workout pic

No bad ass would ever be allowed several leagues within hosting one of these debates

Raddatz is a hack who repeats whatever the DoD and NSA tell her btw

Some asshole complained so they switched the bar tv from The Electric Company(in HD, no less) to fuckin' CNN.

I don't want to see Wolf Blitzer or Erin Burnett ever again when I'm not forced to in an airport.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/biden-puts-on-lucky-debate-suit,29881

Biden Puts On Lucky Debate Suit

http://o.onionstatic.com/images/18/18371/original/600.jpg?5884

wooooo Gwen tear it up

hope David Brooks is drunk