2012 Vice Presidential Debate - October 11 - Biden v. Ryan

[Coito ergo sum]

O.k. -- predictions?

Biden is gaffe prone, and has never shown himself to be particularly good in debates or regarding details. However, that being said, I am going out on a limb and saying that he is likely being prepped within an inch of his life, and I expect him to have his best day.

Ryan is probably considered the odds on favorite, and therefore his job is harder. He will have to do a lot better than Biden in order to be considered the victor. If Biden keeps it close, he will be praised heartily.

The moderator is probably pro Obama/Biden, too. Her husband was appointed FCC Chairman by Obama and Obama attended the moderator's wedding: http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/10/abc-n ... s-wedding/

That may, of course, wind up working to Ryan's benefit because the moderator will be getting pressure to avoid even the appearance of favoritism to Biden.

[Coito ergo sum]

[Coito ergo sum]

[Coito ergo sum]

Biden complained in October, 2008 debate that people could barely afford to fill their gas tanks: http://cnsnews.com/blog/craig-bannister ... -08-debate In October, 2008, gas prices were around $1.99 or so. When Obama took office in January, 2009, the price was about $1.84 per gallon for regular gasoline. It is now around $3.80 give or take, nationally - -it's about $3.63 at Sam's Club here in Florida. Double.

[Ian]

Like you said, Biden's prone to gaffes. He shouldn't have complained about gas prices in October 2008 - oil and gas prices had already been plummeting in response to the recession.

It's also more than a bit weasely to gripe about the prices now in the context of a Presidential race. For one thing, Presidents have little direct effect on gas prices. For another thing, if you're going to gripe about how gas prices have doubled since Obama took office, then you should also mention that the Dow has also doubled since he took office. Perhaps "rebounded" would be a more realistic term.

[Drewish]

Like you said, Biden's prone to gaffes. He shouldn't have complained about gas prices in October 2008 - oil and gas prices had already been plummeting in response to the recession.

It's also more than a bit weasely to gripe about the prices now in the context of a Presidential race. For one thing, Presidents have little direct effect on gas prices. For another thing, if you're going to gripe about how gas prices have doubled since Obama took office, then you should also mention that the Dow has also doubled since he took office. Perhaps "rebounded" would be a more realistic term.

But the Dow isn't helping most people. Yes, for the wealthy the recession is over, but unemployment numbers suggest that this money has remained largely in the hands of the wealthy. Or to put it more bluntly, Obama's trickle down economics isn't working.

[Ian]

"Obama's trickle down economics"!

Go talk to Mr. Reagan. New Deal-style macroeconomics effectively lasted until it failed in the late 1970s. We're still living with Reaganomics. And no President, including Obama, can reverse its course until it fails; all he can do is adjust it here and there. It'll run its own course, fail, and be replaced probably in another decade or two.

[Coito ergo sum]

Like you said, Biden's prone to gaffes. He shouldn't have complained about gas prices in October 2008 - oil and gas prices had already been plummeting in response to the recession.

It's also more than a bit weasely to gripe about the prices now in the context of a Presidential race. For one thing, Presidents have little direct effect on gas prices. For another thing, if you're going to gripe about how gas prices have doubled since Obama took office, then you should also mention that the Dow has also doubled since he took office. Perhaps "rebounded" would be a more realistic term.

Sure, I agree with you on the gas prices issue, to some extent. However, nothing stopped quite a number of Democrats from lambasting Bush for gas prices back in the day.

Also, the Dow rebounding is not such a great thing in context. It's a manufactured bubble, being propped up by the flooding of the bond market, quantitative easing. The Fed is printing dollars. With rates so low (10-year bonds at 2.1 percent per year), and money markets and CDs at zero, there is no place to go but stocks. The FEd cut the overnight rate from 5.5% to near zero. It has grown its balance sheet from $800 billion to $2.7 trillion. It has driven down 10-year Treasury yields from 4.6% to 1.6%. Essentially, they The have reduced fixed income yields to 50 year lows. They are, basically, charging investors for holding bonds and paying them to hold stocks.

[Tyrannical]

Ryan will do good with women as long as he looks handsome and doesn't say anything stupid.

[Bella Fortuna]

Kinda bummed out to miss this, but I'll be seeing Dawkins speak.

[Coito ergo sum]

Kinda bummed out to miss this, but I'll be seeing Dawkins speak.

Look on the bright side. Your IQ will go up a few points, and those of us watching the debate will take a bit of a hit.

[Ian]

Kinda bummed out to miss this, but I'll be seeing Dawkins speak.

Look on the bright side. Your IQ will go up a few points, and those of us watching the debate will take a bit of a hit.

I agree with the second thing you said. As for the first, I think you're risking a kick in the nads from Bella.

[Coito ergo sum]

Well, I didn't mean to denigrate Bella -- just meant that listening to Dawkins is generally a boost to almost anyone. He a fart smeller, youbetcha!

[Gerald McGrew]

But the Dow isn't helping most people.

It's helping my retirement account.

Yes, for the wealthy the recession is over, but unemployment numbers suggest that this money has remained largely in the hands of the wealthy. Or to put it more bluntly, Obama's trickle down economics isn't working.

If we agree that "trickle down economics" doesn't work, that's a good thing. Now, which candidate is proposing to double down on this failed philosophy and which one is proposing to begin reversing it?

[Drewish]