10 things to watch in tonight's Biden-Ryan debate

[flamingdem]

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/11/14368684-10-things-to-watch-in-tonights-biden-ryan-debate?lite



----- snip

BIDEN

The vice president’s reputation for verbosity has dogged him since at least his 1987 run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

When asked by moderator Brian Williams, quoting an LA Times editorial, about whether voters could trust him to maintain discipline as president, Biden responded, with a grin: “Yes.”

This was “Good Biden” – the self-deprecating politician beloved by fans for his jokes about his sparse coiffure and his puppy-dog courtship of his wife Jill.

More than five years later, as he readies to debate Ryan, Biden will undoubtedly face similar perceptions about his verbal discipline. From lamenting that the middle class has been "buried the last four years" to telling a heavily black audience that Republican banking policies would "put y'all back in chains," the “Bad Biden” has made his campaign speeches tub-of-popcorn-worthy viewing for gleeful Republican operatives.

====

With that, here's a list of five things to watch during the upcoming VP debate:

Latching Romney to the Ryan budget
Biden told reporters last week that his top priority in preparing for the Thursday debate was a thorough review of Ryan's budget and policy proposals.

"What I've been doing mostly quite frankly is studying up on Congressman Ryan's positions on the issues," he said. "And Governor Romney has embraced at least everything I can see."

Foremost among those positions espoused by Ryan are those contained in the two budgets he authored as House Budget Committee chairman. Several aspects of the original 2011 Ryan budget – which includes a complete overhaul of Medicare – are staples in Biden's stump speech. He gives visceral examples, telling audiences to imagine their 80-something mothers using "coupons" to shop around for a good insurance deal.

The more Biden is able to make the debate about the consequences of the less palatable elements of Ryan’s budgets, the easier the Obama campaign will breathe.

--- snip .. more at link

[wryter2000]

1. My prediction

When Biden brings up Ryan's budget, Ryan will insist it's going to be Mitt Romney's presidency. If Biden brings up a Romney policy, Ryan will insist they're there to discuss Ryan, not Romney.

[democrat_patriot]

3. Sounds about right. Watch Ryan when Obama and the R's debated Obamacare.

He is one slippery eel.

If Biden can put things into perspective like "Grandma shopping for insurance with a coupon book" then he 'wins'. Those points hit home. If he's "22% of GDP is calculated based on......" than he 'loses'.

Biden can be very very good. I cannot wait.

[flamingdem]

4. Yes, anything to deflate Joe and deflect well deserved arrows nt

[EasyGirl]

2. I'm not sure about that

I would hate to see Joe get into a "nuts and bolts"
fiscal discussion with Ryan. It's Ryans long suit. I would
rather see Joe take the terse yet respectful almost condescending route. Like.. "What are you talking about little boy" but not in those words. This will do two things IMHO
1. It emphasizes Joe's stature and gravitas
2. It keeps him out of "the danger zone" where he sometimes gets lost. Thoughts?

[flamingdem]

5. Joe has to cite some figures however because Ryan will throw out lies using numbers

and he has to attack back with numbers.

Apparently he's been studying his congressional record so he can show inconsistencies.

I just hope he gets across what a disaster we have in store with Voucher Care and that he doesn't let Ryan pretend that Mitt will let people chose Medicare as an option.

He has to show that vouchers will destroy Medicare.

He has to show Ryan for the extremist he is and on Women's issues that should be easy

[EasyGirl]

7. agreed

[gkhouston]

8. It's not Ryan's long suit. It's touted as being his long suit, but every time he gets

a question about details, he evades. IMO, Ryan is well-practiced at throwing out Republican talking points about the budget, but his strength is bullshitting, not understanding.

[Glitterati]

9. Fiscal discussion is Ryan's long suit?

If he didn't have the time to answer those questions in a one-on-one interview, please tell me how he might answer those questions in a debate?

ROFL, that's one of the VERY strangest things I've ever seen attributed to Paul Ryan.

[EasyGirl]

10. I just want Joe to do well. fingers crossed.

[meow2u3]

6. Biden: nothing but the truth. Ryan: nothing but lies

That about sums it up.

[PRETZEL]

11. One thing I'm going to be watching for is who gets the last word

from what I've read, the format is 9 segments of 10 minutes each. That means that one of them will get the last word on 5 topics. It'll be those last words that most people will remember. If VP Biden has to continually use the next segment to correct Ryan's last word from the prior segment, it could be a tough sell. Same could be said if Ryan has to use his first comments on a section to either clarify something he just said or spew even more bull to try and cover his behind, then the VP will have done what he set out to do.

There's alot of ammo that can be used tonite. I'm looking forward to VP Biden pressing Ryan. I really hope Ryan starts making claims that this is Rmoney's campaign and he's running on his position even if it's not the way he believes. I really hope the VP comes back at him with something along the lines of "I can speak my mind to the President and he listens, will you do the same?"

[flamingdem]

12. That's good, Ryan will try to deflect fears of such an extremist assuming the Presidency

as well as how his extremism will impact Romney's policies