A Most Obnoxious Biden
By Alan Caruba
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| Alan Caruba |
The Biden-Ryan debate will be the subject of millions of
words written and spoken, but, if remembered at all will likely be remembered
for Vice President Biden’s obnoxious behavior. One was reminded of the
Bush-Gore debate of 2000, but Biden's behavior went beyond Gore’s boorish sighing
and pacing.
Those with any familiarity with the issues knows, too, that
Biden lied on several occasions. Early on in the discussion of Iran, Biden said
“There is no weapon at this point.” Assuming he was referring to enriched
uranium capable of being weaponized, he’s right, but Iran possesses any number
of missiles to which a nuclear warhead could be fitted. Thus, it is most semantics
as to when “now” is. Sanctions have not worked to deter the weaponization
process and most guesstimates put it within a few months; perhaps early spring.
To suggest there is no weapon may be technically correct, but it is still
deceptive.
Biden’s assertion that Mitt Romney “had no commitment to jobs”
despite his career as an investment capitalist who was instrumental in building
into companies with many job was also deceptive and, of course, Romney’s main
campaign theme has been jobs.
Biden also dodged an early question about Libya and the
Benghazi attack that cost the lives of the U.S. ambassador and three others,
saying “We did not know they needed more security there”—an outright
lie--blaming the intelligence initially received and then employing the scare
tactic—something he did throughout—saying “The last thing we need now is
another war.” Sometimes you get a war whether you want one or not and the
Middle East is replete with that potential.
Ryan retained his composure throughout, but some
observers thought he was too deferential to the Vice President. Better that
than responding in kind to having his opinions dismissed as “malarkey” and “all
that stuff.” Ryan scored points replying that “Sometimes the words come out of
your mouth the wrong way.”
Indeed, whatever Ryan wanted to say was harmed by Biden’s
non-stop interruptions and, at times, by the moderator’s. I often wondered
during the debate if Ryan would ever be allowed to complete a sentence.
Worse, perhaps, was the continuous and inappropriate
laughter of the Vice President, along with what was clearly a great deal of
smirking that suggested his disrespect for Ryan.
What we saw and heard was a repeat of the last nearly
four years of the Obama administration, one incapable of telling the truth and
unwilling to deal with the hard issues whether it was the economy, defense, or
foreign affairs.
Whether it was Afghanistan where our troops, as Ryan
noted, “are less safe” because of the stated withdrawal date and the “green on
blue” attacks, or Syria where Ryan said, “Nobody is proposing to send troops”,
he was constantly having to respond to the straw men and scare tactics of
Biden.
If one actually lasted the full ninety minutes, Ryan had
by far the best closing statement saying “That’s what we get from this
administration—speeches.”
“I never say anything I don’t mean,” said Biden and that
has been his problem as Vice President. He has said so many foolish things it
is hard to take the man seriously.
I doubt the vice presidential debate will have much
effect on the outcome of the election though it may have swayed some “undecided”
and independents who were as offended by Biden’s behavior as I and others were.
© Alan Caruba, 2012
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