Ever since Mitt Romney selected Paul Ryan to be his running mate, many on the right have been looking forward to tonight’s debate, all but certain that the silver-tongued Wisconsin Republican will make mincemeat of the gaffe-prone Delaware Democrat. So certain are conservatives of Ryan’s impending triumph that Commentary’s Seth Mandel felt compelled to caution us, asking whether conservatives were overconfident about the Ryan-Biden debate:
Among the chatter heading into tomorrow night’s vice presidential debate between Paul Ryan and current Vice President Joe Biden, it’s easy to pick up on the confidence conservatives have in Ryan and their dismissive attitude toward Biden. Both of those are well founded, since Ryan is a solid debater and in strong command of the facts, while Biden is … Biden.
He reminds us though that he was a better speaker in Charlotte than was Obama and moreover, that he’s “capable of projecting warmth on command.”
Conservatives may be overconfident, but I doubt Paul Ryan himself is. The man is a a Boy Scout. He is always prepared. Note that he
“tapped former U.S. solicitor general Ted Olson to play the role of Vice President Biden in preparations for next month’s debate.” Ryan spokesman Brendan Buck called Olson “one of the most skilled, intelligent, and successful litigators in America“. Ryan has begun sparring with Olson nearly a full month before the debate. He’s not taking this debate lightly.
Paul Ryan will be prepared to face a candidate who differs from the conservative caricature.
The real question, however, is how Joe Biden will comport himself. Will he feel it incumbent upon himself to make up for Obama’s bad debate performance. In that case, expect him to stumble and stumble badly. Or the Obama campaign, knowing that the vice president can’t undo the damage the president inflicted upon himself, could insist that Biden play it safe, knowing a gaffe could hurt more than a dull performance; he might come off as wooden and programmed. (That would certainly invite mockery, but likely wouldn’t hurt the campaign.)
Jim Geraghty reminds us that Biden, known for playing fast and loose with the facts, “may… let’s say, misremember some of the finer points of the policies he’s defending or attacking.” Ryan could challenger him on those misrepresentations (as Sarah Palin failed to do four years ago), calling into question not just the vice president’s credibility, but that of the man who tapped him as his number two.
Or, perhaps Biden will offer a foretaste of what the new, improved Barack Obama will look like in the second and third debates later this month.
Methinks Ryan will be prepared, ready to face off with the folksy Biden or to fend off attacks from a more feisty opponent. He will counter Biden’s talking points with facts, coolly contradict the Democrat’s (if past is prologue) many misrepresentations.
Given Ryan’s youth, expect him to make a pointed appeal to voters his generation and younger, those most enamored with Obama in 2008, rapidly losing faith, yet still not prepared to back a Republican. Ace noted that in the most recent FoxNews poll the Democrat led “with young people (under 30), but only attracts 50% support. That doesn’t mean Romney gets the rest; some are undecided.” Expect Ryan to use his charm, command of the facts and concern for their well-being to woo those undecided twentysomethings into the Republican camp.
The fetching fortysomething may prove particularly effective with a demographic often hard for Republicans to reach: single women. And maybe even gay men.
Ryan’s ‘win’ will not be as decisive as Romney’s simply because Biden is a better Politician than Obama.
Obama really painted Team Obama into a corner last week. Will BHO really allow Sheriff Joe’s performance to be that much better than his, in actuality or reporting?
Catch 22…. Biden needs to cut off Romney/Ryan momentum. If he does well enough to do that, he makes Obama’s performance look even worse.
Biden would do well to focus on Romney, forcing Ryan to defend him. I assume that Biden will be getting a strong assist from the moderator, a personal friend of Obama and a well-known personality of a media still smarting from Lehrer’s laissez-faire approach. Of course all Ryan has to really do is bat his eyes and smile and he’s golden. Have I ever mentioned I have a thing for him?
As handsome as Paul Ryan is (and you’re not the only one who has a thing for him, Ignatius 🙂 ), I think it is a bit wrong (I’m not sure exactly what word to use here, but I’ll go with that) to say people will vote for him just for his appearance (although, maybe I’m giving people in general too much credit). I’m sure some people will, but his brain is even more attractive than his appearance. Of course, it never hurts to have a good looking candidate (assuming the cadidate is also strong in other areas).
“…(assuming the cadidate is also strong in other areas).”
I’m even more interested in those ‘other areas’.
You and me both, Ignatius. Ryan’s a hottie with a brain – a devastatingly attractive combination!!
Regards,
Peter H.
Honestly, has a vice-presidential debate ever really had an effect on the general election?
Ryan’s looks don’t do anything for me. Probably has something to do with being straight, I’ll bet.
Draybee, I doubt a VP debate has ever had much effect, but there’s always a first time, and it looks like this might be the one.
The bad news here is the stage lighting for the debate – if Biden sees his shadow we get 6 more months of campaigning!
The debate with Biden should not be about looks. People will be looking for the substance precisely because the previous debate with Palin wasn’t conclusive. The draw went in Biden’s favor. Palin is a hottie, but she did the winking too many times. It didn’t work. Ryan had better not do the same. No dumbell lifting gestures.
Ryan needs to completely blow Biden out of the water. We know Biden talks a lot of nonsense. Ryan needs to call him out of those lies or just false or made-up facts.
I think due to the fact that most people expect Ryan to mop the floor with Biden, a Biden tie will appear a victory.
I do think Ryan excels when things center around the budget, facts and figures. Makes me think the moderator will avoid giving him too much opportunity to be in his element.
I figure the moderator will give Biden some assists, but I really can’t imagine a situation where Ryan completely stumbles.
I confess this is the debate I have most looked forward to watching. Not so much because who I am voting for is going to change (I am pretty firmly in the Romney camp) but because I think Ryan has to be one of the most articulate congress members when it comes to budget matters.
Oh and because in general Biden is a gaffe prone, bumbling fool. Although in a debate with a lot of preparation I don’t expect too many gaffes, although bumbling fool might show up.
Not sure where to say this-so commenting here, but Biden has got to be the rudest man ever and the moderator has totally lost control-actually don’t think she ever had it, she interrupts as often as Biden when Ryan is talking.
Just Me – I’ll second that “Biden is the rudest man ever.” He is coming across as a bully!
Was Biden actually leaning toward the moderator at one point and shaking his pen in her face, or was that just the camera angle?