October 11, 2012
Biden Time
JFK said on more than one occasion that "life is unfair." The Kennedys know that better than any of us--the good and the bad. Tonight, the pressure on Joe Biden is so great it is almost unfair (almost but not quite.) Giving a speech, especially in the era of TelePrompTers, is easy. Debate is tough. When in a debate, the combatants not only try to keep on top of the questions asked by the moderator, prioritize their own presentation, alter their attack if the other side scores big in a round, relax and enjoy, attack the opponent and knock him on his butt when he says something that is inaccurate or stupid or both. Don't come in tired or you will leave exhausted.
It is hard to win a debate outright absent a knock-out. Like a boxing match, each round has a score and, unless it was really lopsided, chances are good that the point totals will be fairly close.
So, look to Biden's task. He must stop the bleeding and regain the momentum. He must put Ryan in his place but he must be careful not to play the bully. Ryan has thus far proven to be a well below average performer on the national stage. It was easy in the House, surrounded by some very dim bulbs. I think his interview with Fox's Chris Wallace was rather special. He could not or would not explain how he and boss Romney will pay for the $4.8 trillion tax cut favored by the wealthy. It was such a poor performance that Wallace knew it was time to step aside.
So, see you after the debate.
I can think of no one better than Biden to take on the many tasks he will be asked to perform. Start with this: 1.) He is smarter than his opponent; 2.) He knows all there is to know about the legislative process and the incredible stall that the Republicans used to stop any any progress; 3.) He will not hesitate to take Ryan to the mat if he gets an opening.
So, I predict a Biden victory but I also predict that the talking heads will "call it a draw" no matter what happens.
Biden is setting the table. He won't knock out Ryan but he will change the conversation.
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We can only ope that Biden will question the Republican intent on harming and changing our democracy. Still think it is odd and wrong that the day after Obama was sworn in, Mitch McConnell proclaimed his job was to see to it that Obama would be a one-term president. Is this the role of an elected official? To every new idea or piece of legislation the Republican response has predictably been a resounding "no" even before the details were set forth. Is this the role of an elected official?
Biden (and Obama) need to expose Republicans for the frauds and obstructionists and destroyers they are.
Go for the jugular, Joe, the jugular. Aim a little lower and twist hard. We'll all be watching.
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wis | October 11, 2012
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