Tonight Joe Biden shares the stage with Paul Ryan in a contest of heightened importance – due to the epic fail of President Obama last week. Biden desperately needs to stop the slide that resulted from the Denver debate.
The Vice President has his work cut out for him. Last time around he was facing off against that lightweight from Wasilla, who had already become a laughing stock by the time they shook hands ("Can I call ya Joe?"). Ryan, on the other hand, has been touted as the brilliant rising star of the right. His facility with numbers and his rock hard body have gained mythological proportions.
For many, those puppy-dog eyes and frown-smile smirk read not as arrogant smugness, but as sincerity and compassion. He will cut an imposing figure of youth and confidence next to the aging gregariousness of Biden. The optics of this one will not give Biden any obvious edge. He's going to have to win on substance, and hopefully with some attacks that throw Ryan off balance.
Top 10 things Biden should raise:
1) Romney lies
Bring up the multitude of fact-check issues Romney has has, starting with the debate and reaching back to the convention. The coup de grace being when the Romney campaign contradicted Romney's assertion about pre-existing conditions. Also include the multitude of contradictory positions Romney has held over the years. "Which Romney would we see in the Whitehouse? The liberal Governor of Massachusetts, the right wing Romney of the primaries, or the centrist who we just met over the past week?"
2) Ryan lies
When Ryan raises Obama's incorrect assertions or un-met campaign promises, first refute Ryan's claim and bring up Republican obstructionism. Then hit back with Ryan's own misstatements from the convention speech. Make the point early that Romney/Ryan are not to be taken at their word.
3 ) 47%
Biden should find a way to work this in. Better late than never. He should bring it up in the context that Obama-Biden don't write off 47% of the country, and he could use the same rhetoric that I posted earlier. Ryan should at least be made to state that Romney has disavowed those comments. This will reinforce points 1 & 2.
4 ) Legitimate rape
Ryan was a co-sponsor of the bill with Todd Akin that attempted to redefine rape. Biden should jump all over that one, and use it to link Romney/Ryan to the most offensive right-wing Republicans.
5 ) $716 Billion
This falls under number 1 and number 2 (lies of Romney & Ryan), but it ranks highly enough for its own entry in the list and Ryan is sure to bring it up. Biden needs to clearly state that Obamacare reduces the cost of Medicare $716 bilion by reducing the expense of procedures and other savings, thereby extending the solvency of Medicare. Also note that Ryan's plan includes the same savings, but does so by raising the eligibility age. Harken back to the trustability factor.
6 ) Deficit
Ryan voted for all of Bush's tax cuts, wars and other budget busters. Hit him hard on that. Ryan is being a hypocrite. Throw in a reference to the Great Republican Recession.
7 ) Enough time
Be sure to quote Ryan from the Fox interview stating that he didn't have time to go into the details of their budget plan. Biden should assure Ryan that they have all the time in the world for him to explain how they are going to eliminate enough deductions to keep from raising the deficit. The inability for Romney/Ryan to provide any specifics about the reduction half of their tax plan is a glaring weakness.
8 ) 2 & 4
Biden should make these points from my previous Top 10.
Number two is the "Number One Priority" comment. The Republican Party is the enemy, not just Romney/Ryan. Although I no longer believe the Democrats can win back the house, Obama/Biden should still be running against House and Senate Republicans at every opportunity. If Biden can quote McConnel without sounding whiney, he should do it.
Number four is Romney's "Let Detroit go bankrupt" statement. Certainly Biden can work-in a comment about the auto industry; how Obama saved it and Romney wanted to let it die. I'm sure Ryan will come back with a plausible-sounding retort, but that Bankrupt statement sticks in the mind for its crassness. Raise it as often as possible.
9 ) Ayn Rand
Biden should speak to the camera and mention that Ryan is a follower of a "radical atheist philosopher." Include the fact that Ryan made his staff read her books to make it more difficult for Ryan to backpedal on his love of Rand.
10 ) We've seen this before
I'd love to hear Biden outline the absurdity of the Romney budget proposal, in which he promises to cut taxes by 20%, yet keep all the deductions that are important to seniors and the middle class, increase military spending, keep the popular parts of Obamacare, all while reducing the deficit. After making the point, finish it off with, "We've heard this before. Ronald Reagan made the same promises before his first term, and as President he doubled our debt. Your plan is a fantasy. It will give tax cuts to the rich, it will cost more for the middle class, and it will send out debt out of control."
The goal in the above is to leave the stage with people thinking that Romney/Ryan cannot be trusted. Put serious doubt in the viewers' minds about the feasibility of the Romney tax & budget plan. Tie Romney/Ryan to the worst of the Republican party, and reinforce that Republican policies increase the national debt while benefiting the rich.
Joe Biden needs to reverse the gains Romney was able to make last week. To do so, he has to go after Ryan, sully the Republican party (with facts), and tie Romney/Ryan to that party. Democrats need to know that Obama/Biden are for progressive policies, but they also need to know they are against Republican policies and are willing to say so. Independents need help thinking through the lies and fantasies being presented by Romney/Ryan, and have a strong and determined alternative to vote for.
Let's go, Joe!
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