Readers of THE Ave should know that I am not a Democrat. I follow Jefferson in his belief in an America built on maximizing opportunity for all. Unfortunately, today’s Republican party is so caught up in Ayn Rand economics and social conservatism, that I no longer see them as a rational alternative.
This morning’s coverage of the vice presidential debate is distressing. Rather than reviewing a political debate, the media are treating this as a theatrical performance.
Trying to be as impartial as I possibly can, this is the debate that I saw.
Mr. Ryan repeated the Party’s assorted attacks on Mr. Obama as an ineffectual, overly intellectual, detached presence. Ryan blamed the current economy on Mr. Obama’s efforts to save the economy. Ryan asserted that our foreign policy is in a shambles because Mr. Obama has not shown a Ronald Reagan face, that is the face of dominance and threat to the rest of the world. Ryan portrayed our situation as hopeless, concluding that the strategic and political interest of the United States requires cutting the federal budget to the bone in all areas other than military defense. He asserted that such cuts would so greatly increase our productivity that tte invisible hand of capitalism would make us all wealthy.
Mr. Biden avoided, as well as he could, being put in the defensive position. He tried over and over again to force Mr. Ryan to provide details On what Romney/Ryan would do in specific terms. For example, Romney has spouted warlike words reminiscent of “remember the Maine” or George W Bush’s war cries on the way into Iraq. Romney makes these noises about Syria, Iran, and even China! Biden pushed on Syria and Iran but got no answers. The same was true of Biden’s attempt to force Ryan to offer some specifics on the Romney/Ryan plan to cut taxes across the board my 1eS, increase military spending by the same amount, while decreasing the debt. Again there was no response.
Of course the most important stage of the debates, in our current system, is the postdebate spin. The Republican spin is already clear. They have decided to demean Joe Biden as unstable. they are already doing this in campaign ads built around Joe Biden’s dazzling smile. They liken him to the Cheshire cat.
The Democratic spin will also be about Ryan’s character. They will portray him as an immature, smartass.
I think this is a mistake on the part of the Democrats. demeaning Ryan is not an antidote to the Republicans demeaning of Biden. Instead, I think the Democratic spin should build on Biden’s referred to Ryan’s vagaries and lies as “malarkey.” I would like to see is Team Obama bring back Walter Mondale’s term “where’s the beef?”