Something Biden should do in the debate that I don't believe has ever been done / said before in one

[nemus]

So I was sitting here thinking about the debate this evening, about Romney and Ryan's ... less than accurate portraying of their positions on issues, to state the least.

So I was wondering - how do you flip this around on them. How do you ask the question that becomes THE story of the news cycle - what is the ultimate 'gotcha' question - the one that sets up, in my opinion, an ideal 'trap' as it were.

Basically, it goes like this.

At some point in the debate, theoretically speaking, Biden is going to have a chance to pose a question to either Ryan himself or at least out loud. I thought about having Obama do this - but honestly I think Biden's passion makes the delivery of this come off a bit stronger - and it keeps the President being, well, Presidential.

Moderator "blah blah blah, Mr. Biden, do you have any thoughts on (anything economy related - ideally in the differences between Obama / Romney's take on economic positions)

Biden: Yes, I do - but first I'd like to ask my opponent here a couple of quick questions - Congressman Ryan, I respect you - I respect that you have conviction in your ideals - I think its safe to say that, regardless of our policy differences, both of us care about this country and about all of its denizens, correct?"

Ryan: Yes.. (probably tries to elaborate here but I want Biden to basically overspeak him)

Biden: Good - since we agree on that, Congressman - then tell me - tell me what it is we're missing, what Barack and I are missing - what allows us to lower taxes 20% and keep the changes revenue neutral - what loopholes / deductions do you think we should remove to get the deficit moving in the right direction - here's the thing, Congressman - Barack and I, we care about the country - we care about ALL the classes in the country - and if you guys have some amazing idea that we're not aware of - we want to hear it - we want to know how to help improve life for everyone in this country. Whether Governor Romney wins the election or Barack wins - don' t you agree that it only makes sense to share the details of your plan that are so good for this Country so that maybe we can take a look at it - Barack and I are not beyond admitting to mistakes - maybe your plan DOES have some good in it that will benefit everyone - show me.. show me here.. (walks over the the podium with the pen / paper that are supplied already and a handy solar calculator he whips out of his pocket) "Careful now, its solar - I know that might be a bad word with some of the company you keep" - "Congressman, Show me the math - or even better yet, give it to the moderator - that way I can't be accused of any bias in asking you a question about it" "Look, Paul - we both love this Country, you just said that to me - and I believe you, I really do. Here's the thing, in Scranton, when we knew something, some bit of information that might give a guy an edge - or save him from stepping into a bad situation - even if we didn't have a dog in that fight, we still shared it - we shared it because it was the RIGHT thing to do. Congressman, its the RIGHT thing to do to share your details with us right now - to share them with the American people - Congressman, rise above what you learned by reading Ayn Rand and show that you, too, care about ALL Americans - not just the few that might benefit from your campaign's financial plan details - as little as is currently known about them"

Now of course, it could be asked much more eloquently than that - but the thing is, and I'm serious here, why doesn't someone in a debate go "omg, you guys might just have the magic answer - can you share it with me and the people so that if it IS the answer we can use it if you guys don't win - you know, to make things better for everyone??" - You put the onus on them - you force them to either basically tell those watching the debate the same 'Sorry, no details for you" or you're forced to commit, on paper, on record, your less than.. reality based math.

I think if something like this happened, it would be in EVERY news cycle about the debate - it would be the question being played over and over again.. I can't think of a debate before when anyone has said to their opponent "Ok, you might be right - your plan might be better, show it to me so that no matter who wins this thing we can do what's right for this country and help out all of our fellow citizens"

In my opinion, something like this would flip the punditry on their head because I just don't think they'd be prepared for it.. I'd love to see what would happen with a scenario like this.. thoughts?

[DURHAM D]

1. So you are suggesting that Biden

give his time to Ryan and allow him to filibuster with drivel?

Nope.

[nemus]

2. I am suggesting that they broadside Ryan with a 'show that you care' moment..

Because I don't think Ryan is capable of handling it - I don't think for the most part, elected Republicans are capable of handling those moments. These are, after all, the people who state it as their primary goals to deny Obama a second term. The people who have no issues outing secret CIA bases because they feel it might make the administration look bad - and let's not even get started on the Valerie Plame mess from a few years ago.

[democrat_patriot]

3. Makes Biden look like he has no ideas, needs help from Ryan.

I just Biden to question everything Ryan says - and say "But - that doesn't help the middle class, and here's why?"

[nemus]

5. See, I disagree with this..

Because I think that by putting him on the spot re: details and saying that giving those details is good for AMERICA and not just their campaign, you put him between a rock and a hard place. You basically force their hand and they either reveal the math (which we already know doesn't add up) or they weasel word around revealing things directly to the people / undecided voters who are watching. its a tactic that I don't think they'd have a response for because its so out of left field - and as an 'outside the box' kind of thinker, I kind of dig that.

[Speck Tater]

4. Too many words.

The average watcher is dozing after the first two sentences.
The politically engaged viewer is dozing by the fourteenth sentence.
Ryan just needs to shrug it off because hardly anybody in the audience understood the question.

[nemus]

6. Again.. I realize its wordy..

I know that Joe could word it much more effectively than I have.

[Speck Tater]

7. He could take the basic idea

and turn it into zingers.
Better yet, have Bill C. or Rev. Sharpton write the script for him!

[alc]

8. ryan's response

Democrats are constantly complaining about all of the companies and rich who pay 0% because of loopholes. Romney and I don't believe it is good for any person or company to pay 0%. We also think 35% is too high for a corporate rate. We will work with Democrats to determine which loopholes should be removed and which ones that some companies (those who pay 0%) use that can be applied across the board so that everyone pays the same fair rate according to their income level.

Some loopholes are obviously unfair. Renters are not allowed any equivalent to a mortgage deduction and the wealthy get much bigger deductions than people with small houses or who have paid off their mortgage. And there are many ways that people with multiple houses are able to abuse the deduction. We need a discussion on "home ownership" to determine what this deduction, or loophole as the Democrats like to label deductions, is really trying to accomplish. First-time home ownership should be supported, but people buying mansions do not need government help. Most other deductions started with a good purpose but have now outlived their purpose or are being abused. We would like to re-visit all deductions to determine which ones are still in the country's best interest.

I'd guess this will play well with lots of people. offer to work with Democrats. appeal to renters. support for middle class over rich homeowners. No specifics or details that would amount to 20% but will probably make lots of people outside of DU feel good about the plan.

[magical thyme]

9. There's probably a good reason it's never been said in a debate before. nt