Biden: the best debater in 2008

[bluewater]

In past debates, Biden has knocked it out of the park. But this time he’s the central target on a crowded stage and he’s been coached to avoid conflict.
By NATASHA KORECKI
[snip]

Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), the former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and Biden’s campaign co-chairman, said Biden has a knack for performing well when the stakes are highest.

“He usually rises to the occasion,” said Richmond. “I think it’s the way he connects. When he talks, people get the feeling that he understands. I think that’s the big appeal — that most families believe he knows what they’re going through.”
Charm, warmth and humor are among the weapons Biden deploys to throw his opponents off-guard. When asked by moderator Brian Williams in a 2007 debate if he could reassure voters that he’d have the discipline he’d need on the world stage — the question was prefaced with a reference to his verbosity and reputation as “a gaffe machine” — Biden won the moment with a one-word answer.
“Yes,” Biden said plainly before stopping speaking, leading to a roomful of laughter.

He can seamlessly transition from folksy “Uncle Joe” from Scranton, Pa., to a more pugilistic version of himself when attempting to correct the record. Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former presidential contender who took part in more than a half-dozen forums with the then-Delaware senator in 2007, said Biden’s best asset is his ability to come across as reassuring and genuine.
“He connected with the TV and the audience in the debates. He was very good at telling stories. The way to connect with voters is to tell stories — not to have a 10-point plan. He was very good at that,” said Richardson, who has not backed any candidate in the 2020 primary. “I believe he will win the first debate.”

Richardson described Biden as “the best debater” in the 2008 Democratic field — which included Obama, Clinton and polished trial attorney John Edwards.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/27/joe-biden-debate-2020-1385145

People are setting a high bar for Biden tonight.

[thesquanderer]

1. That was 11 years ago. Listening to him speak more recently...

...I'm not confident about his debate performance. We'll see.

[Politicub]

2. That's great. Looking forward to his performance this evening.

We'll see how much sass he uses in correcting the record.

[sacto95834]

3. High Bar Indeed...

Whoever put this out is smart. Biden has not much to gain and a lot to loose based on his performance in tonight's debate.

I have been watching Biden since his first presidential run in the 80s. I don't think he's changed much, but the political world sure has. He comes across as the nice guy with funny lines and not too much depth. Thus, in these mass group debates he never stood out. He does okay getting in a sound bite every now and then. But he sort of blends in. Biden never stood out from a pack. Hence he never got far in the presidential sweepstakes.

That said, Biden did much better when he did the one on one VP debates vs. Palin and Ryan. Could be just the competition, but he was much sharper. I think the format suits him better.

For me, it will be interesting to see how he will do in a large panel "debate."

Before you all condemn me for criticizing the leader, etc. These are just my observations.