Biden v Ryan debate

[Townsend]

Prep begins:

Biden begins debate prep with Van Hollen

The vice presidential debate is a little over two weeks away on Oct. 11, and Joe Biden is getting ready.

His first mock debate with Paul Ryan stand in Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was held last week, an Obama campaign official tells POLITICO.

"The Vice President has been preparing for his debate with Congressman Ryan – a candidate who has an exceptional grasp of policy details and a mastery of budgetary matters," the official said.

I've heard Biden is wanting to dress as Aaron Burr.  Not sure what he's got planned. 

[Teatownclown]

I hear Ryan will show up as Atlas...

No hope.

Landslide in 42 days!

[Conan71]

I hear Ryan will show up as Atlas...

No hope.

Landslide in 42 days!

Landslide indeed!

What will you do when Obama gets his donkey handed to him?

[Gaspar]

The debates are going to be very important in this election.  I think Romney and President Obama are well matched and can hold their own against each other.  That's going to be a snoozer.

I think Biden is so ridiculously outgunned by Ryan that it's simply going to be a one sided debate.  Biden's only real hope is to make Ryan look like he's just being mean.  Being a Democrat, Biden will have the pitty-party vote on his side, so if he can make it look like he's being picked on, he can position Ryan as ruthless and cruel, and that works well with independents.

[Townsend]

The only audience this will have are already decided voters and news networks looking for spin to sell commercial time.

"He said that?"  (out of context)

[RecycleMichael]

The debates are going to be very important in this election. 

Why would the debates this year be any more important than in other presidential elections? I think you are just wishing for them to matter. Your guy is hopelessly behind and only has a couple of chances left.

If they had replacement referees deciding this, Romney would have a chance.

[nathanm]

I think Biden is so ridiculously outgunned by Ryan that it's simply going to be a one sided debate.

Only if a debate can be won with platitudes and glittering generalities. If that is the case, then Ryan will indeed do well.

[Gaspar]

The only audience this will have are already decided voters and news networks looking for spin to sell commercial time.

"He said that?"  (out of context)

You are probably correct, and that is sad.

Quote from RM

Why would the debates this year be any more important than in other presidential elections? I think you are just wishing for them to matter. Your guy is hopelessly behind and only has a couple of chances left.

If they had replacement referees deciding this, Romney would have a chance.

I think Romney and Ryan have done a poor job in establishing their platform with the independent voters.  The media has downplayed the important differences, and the debates are really one of the only venues for them to make their case directly against President Obama and his special little guy.

[nathanm]

I think Romney and Ryan have done a poor job in establishing their platform with the independent voters.  The media has downplayed the important differences

Yes, they have done a very poor job, but that's because they know that their platform is not what most of the country wants to see. The only way they can win is to keep people from noticing what exactly it is they are proposing. Even with that refusal to get specific, they're still losing badly. They may still win on the anti-Obama vote, but the polling is quite clear that people don't support the platform.

[carltonplace]

Ryan supports unions! At least he supports the NFL official's union.

[carltonplace]

Landslide indeed!

What will you do when Obama gets his donkey handed to him?

Among born-again Christians, Romney leads Obama 48 to 40 percent. The former Massachusetts governor held the same lead among rural voters. Among voters who shop at Wal-Mart weekly, Romney is ahead of Obama 46 to 42 percent. And among those sympathetic to the tea party, Romney holds a 75 to 17 percent edge

[Townsend]

Among born-again Christians, Romney leads Obama 48 to 40 percent. The former Massachusetts governor held the same lead among rural voters. Among voters who shop at Wal-Mart weekly, Romney is ahead of Obama 46 to 42 percent. And among those sympathetic to the tea party, Romney holds a 75 to 17 percent edge

How about Denny's?

[Teatownclown]

Among born-again Christians, Romney leads Obama 48 to 40 percent. The former Massachusetts governor held the same lead among rural voters. Among voters who shop at Wal-Mart weekly, Romney is ahead of Obama 46 to 42 percent. And among those sympathetic to the tea party, Romney holds a 75 to 17 percent edge

Ah, American intolerants.

Taking bets.

[Ed W]

Does anyone pay attention to poll aggregators and electoral vote predictions?  Nate Silver is presently showing a 312/225 split in favor of the president.  I know some of you will disregard this since the 538 blog is part of the evil New York Times, but it's a valid approach to crunching the numbers absent any spin.

ElectoralVote.com is showing a 328/206 split.

Karl Rove is predicting 196 'safe' electoral votes for the president, with another 54 leaning his way, while Gov. Romney has 159 solid votes with another 32 leaning his way. Note that the polling data is as much as 30 days old per his own methodology.  Rove says that some swing states are still too close to call, yet current polling data shows a widening gap between the candidates.

[carltonplace]

Are you advocating "Arithmetic"?