Often acting as surrogates for their running mates, Joe Biden and Paul Ryan squared off on international affairs, taxes and abortion in the only vice presidential debate of the election season.
The candidates found little to agree on, whether it was a military withdrawal from Afghanistan, raising taxes or reforming entitlement programs. As expected, both sides spun the debate performances as victories.
One clear winner appeared to be widely-praised moderator Martha Raddatz, yet she did receive some criticism from conservatives.
Patch ran a statewide live blog that attracted upwards of 40 participants who offered their thoughts on the debate. Here are some of their reactions.
Cassandra
It's a toss-up. Biden: overconfident "I'm the voice of experience." Ryan: far-too-smiley equanimity.
John Flanagan:
Fortunately, or unfortunately, to the benefit of whichever VP candidate is deemed tomorrow, by the talking heads, to have fared worse, the debate is scheduled in the midst of the Yankees/Orioles, A's/Giants baseball playoffs and the Thursday night Steelers/Titans football games.
Angie
I was a little underwhelmed by this debate, but...full disclosure, I was a little distracted so it might be better when I rewatch it from the start.
Anonymous
Biden is a mouthpiece, an empty suit.
LiveForFreedom
"Sometimes the words do not come out of your mouth the right way [said by Ryan to Biden]" will be the quote for the 2012 debate.
WallyBoy1891
I love Biden's Passion.
Jay
Biden just nailed him on being a hypocrite about that stimulus.
Brigit
Ryan is calm, cool, and collected. Biden is angry and looks like a fool.
Archie Bunker III
Ryan, the phony also said he RAN a marathon in under 3 hours, when in REALITY-VILLE, it was OVER 4 HOURS. A completely scummy lie, FOR SURE! I ran 15 marathons more than 30 years ago and have NO problem remembering the times.
As a personal matter, I can't see how Ryan's masochistic tolerance helped him. He should have kept on talking right over Biden until the moderator broke up the fight. What would have happened if he criticized Biden for his smiling at inappropriate times? He went into too much detail and didn't emphasize the big picture points enough. Everyone will see this debate their own way. This is a lot better than a revolution every 4 years. If it's O.K. to ask these candidates about Catholic questions, will it be O.K. to ask about Muslim questions?
Biden stuck to almost all emotional appeals. Stuck to pulling at the heart strings with comments about how "they" would take benefits and help away from his grandmother, etc... Ryan stuck to an analytical approach and cited the numbers much more, but maybe had a tougher time breaking down some of these issues into more human terms. That said, Ryan's closing statement was excellent.
Those on the left campaign for more gun laws when shooting a gun doesn't always result in the death of a human being. EVERY abortion results in the death of a human being. In VP Biden's words, "Show some responsibility."
The thing is, Dems believe Joe won the debate, but he may have helped them lose the election. His anger and rude, condescending behavior, treating opponents with total disdain, and absolute COLDNESS to real human economic suffering--let alone to the needless slaughter of 4 Americans in Benghazi--perfectly epitomize exactly what the Democratic party of today has become. In stark contrast, Paul Ryan was calm and respectful, even-tempered and even Presidential in bearing. All but the most diehard hateful dyed-in-the-wool Dems saw that, and the Romney/Ryan "Comeback Team" definitely won this one with the Independents, whom this election depends upon! Romney/Ryan are now WINNING Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Virginia, with Obama only a sure thing in 7 states!!