Needle in Neutral

The debate went much as I predicted in my prior post.  Pence was dollars ahead on style.  His talk show experience was evident.  On that front Kaine was worse than I expected.  His stock in trade is likability.  As a good soldier he aggressively charged forward in a way that some, such as Biden, can bring off, but not Kaine. He was ill served by the campaign.

Not unexpectedly, even with a CNN poll that had more Democratic respondents, Pence won 48 to 42.  But Kaine, who lost the battle, may yet win the war.  Pence was calm and presidential.   Many in the GOP may take some solace about the bottom of their ticket, and even envision him as a future nominee.  Pence helped Pence.

Pence was not a good soldier.  He was too busy bucking for a promotion.  He did little to defend Trump.  Denying he or Trump made various statements, helped sweeten his night, but will sour the day.  He lied.  Every crazy statement Kaine attributed to Trump was true and verifiable.  Pence's hawkish foreign policy positions were inconsistent with the belligerent dove, at the top of the ticket.

Pence won the night on style points, Kaine will edge him tomorrow on truth and substance.  The result will be no change, which is good for Hillary.

Biden Blues

Holy Toledo!  That is what the VP debate was about.  Biden is authentic and has special appeal to blue collar voters, particularly in the key battleground state of Ohio.  Pundits grimaced at his smiles and smirks, and shuddered at his interruptions.  But the guy watching the debate in a bar in Youngstown related.

Whereas, Gore's sighs seemed phony and arrogant in the 2000 debates, Biden wears his heart on his face.   The flash polls of those who watched the debate shows a win for Biden.  CBS had him up 50 to 31.  CNN actually had Ryan slightly ahead, 48 to 44.  But the poll caveats that it over sampled Republicans by eight per cent.  Both polls show that Biden greatly exceeded expectations.

Ryan did well, keeping the base happy, appearing reasonable, and reasonably presidential.  But Biden not only stopped the bleeding, but heartened Democrats with a minor transfusion.  If as I suspect, he played better in Ohio than nationally, this is an even bigger win.

The table is set for Obama's debate on Tuesday.  Hopefully, he will bring a sharper knife.

Biden: His Time

Biden gaffes are fodder for late night comedians.  He is the underdog for Thursday's debate in Danville Kentucky.  But I fearlessly predict that it will be Ryan face down in the blue grass.

Biden is constantly underrated.  He gave one of the best speeches at the convention.  He is the Obama campaign's secret weapon in the midwest.  Elites may laugh, and the right may snicker, because his blue collar roots are showing.  But, he is a crowd please for that very reason.

Ryan may be able to see Canada from his front porch, but Biden has chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  Romney and Ryan saber rattle from the safety of their desks.  Biden's son is a warrior.

If you bet on a long shot, the payoff is bigger.  Biden will cross the wire first.  Ryan will be bottled in bond, while Biden is enjoying some good sipping whiskey.