2012 Election: Second Debate Recap

Oct 12, 2012

2012 Election: Second Debate Recap

If you caught last night’s vice presidential debate, you probably weren’t disappointed; the 90-minutes debate seemed to fly by! Centre College in Danville, KY was on fire with debate between Vice President Biden and Congressman Ryan.

The lively debate carried a wide range of topics, switching back and forth from foreign policy to domestic policy, moderated by Martha Raddatz. I don’t know about you, but I always enjoy the Vice Presidential debates. Besides the obvious importance of hearing from vice presidential candidates, I enjoy the intimate, sit-down debate and the opportunity to see the candidates up close.

Vice President Biden dug in on what he believes to be the critical failures of Paul Ryan’s budget and the effects it could have on the middle class and Social Security and Medicare, and Congressman Ryan pointedly noted the increase in unemployment in Vice President Biden’s home of Scranton, PA under the Obama Administration, while making the case that Americans are not better off than they were four years ago. Vice President Biden vowed the Obama Administration would get the unemployment rate below 6%, but could not offer a timeline.

Both candidates agreed on a 2014 transition out of Afghanistan, but disagreed on details and each fiercely disagreed on the details surrounding the Benghazi attack and President Obama’s response.

Interestingly, this was the first time in history both vice presidential candidates are Catholic. The debate ended with candidates discussing what their religious conviction means to them and how it influences them, followed by closing statements.

Did you watch last night’s debate? What did you think? Did you enjoy it more or less than the presidential debate last week? Who do you think “won?” Did it change your mind at all? What was your favorite part? What was your least favorite part? How do you think Martha Raddatz did as a moderator?

We’ll be back on October 17 to re-cap the third debate.

Check our Guide to the 2012 Elections for details on registering to vote, absentee voting, important swing states, and the official debates calendar!

image via

Carrie Pastor

http://answertheunasked.blogspot.com/ JMill

I think they’re both loose cannons, but Biden won. He answered more of the questions (without deflecting or pivoting), but he wasn’t perfect. Ryan still didn’t give specifics on his budget and tax plan – the crux of the Romney platform.
http://MyersMaison.blogspot.com/ Lauren M.

I enjoyed this debate much more than last week. You are right, time flew by on this one! Last week I was bored…this week I was glued to the tv. I think that Biden did a great job fact checking on the spot, and Ryan seemed to dance around questions. Overall I think Biden won this one.

MyersMaison.blogspot.com
pixiedust8

I thought this was a MUCH better debate–in part because I think both these guys were better prepared in their own ways (whether scripted or not) and the moderator was much tougher about time and made them address the questions as much as she could. I think Biden blew Ryan out of the water; he was just more knowledgeable about almost every topic.
http://twitter.com/livloveblog livloveblog

Like any debate: if you’re a democrat, you thought Biden won. If you’re a republican – you thought Ryan won. But i thought Obama’s friend Martha Raddatz did a good job moderating… not an easy task!

Elizabeth

No, no one thought Ryan won.

http://twitter.com/livloveblog livloveblog

let me guess — you’re a democrat. my point exactly.

annie

Actually, a lot of non-party-affiliated people (such as myself) and educated republicans (like my parents) weighed in and found the Vice President’s grasp of facts, details, cause-and-effect, historical data and recent history much more substantial than Ryan’s. If you prefer your passionate rhetoric be grounded in actual facts, Biden won. If your decisions are faith-driven, you probably like Ryan better.

Elizabeth

That, or you’re fond of beans. Whichever, really.
Danielle

another very intelligent comment. Seriously, do your homework. Curious, what are your thoughts on how our President spent 20 years in Rev. Wrights Church? Any thoughts or not important or you have no idea who Rev Wright is? What are you thoughts on foreign policy? How about how our President is handling Libya?
Sandra

Danielle, since you are so passionate about Romney, can you say what he stands for? Also what are his policies exactly?
Dk1968

Sandra – I would love to address your comment – and I will when I’m at my desk after I work. But please enlighten is all with why you believe Obama has done anything positive for our Country? He himself said if I can’t get it done in three years, then I will e one term!!! His words. Also, what are your thoughts on how he has handled the foreign policy issues??? I met with a SEAL’s mother who killed 8/6/11…. Our president jeopardized their safety!!! That alone is insanity oh and how about Rev Wright?? You trust our President who attended service for TWENTY YEARS with that sick man? Please I would be happy to point out all of the reasons Romney is the better candidate.
RC

Our president hasn’t provided a budget in 3 years. Can you tell Danielle what Obama stands for? Check your facts. Look at the great promises Obama made 4 years ago oh and with NO details back then. Oh. Wait. Currently, he blames everyone else for his failures. And now it’s Hillary he is throwing under the Obama bus. He has failed our country on all fields. I’m an independent so don’t call me a Romney lover. But, since Obama is impotent and ineffective and inexperienced ( his record proves that) I will vote him out. And any politician who doesn’t do their job will be also. They work for me …we the people.. Not the other way around

Danielle

This has to be the most ignorant comment I have read with regard to the debate. Are you serious with this comment? Please do your research on who you are voting for in November. This is not even about a Republican or a Democrat because President Obama is very far from a Democrat. He is a dictator and if he does win… I hope every person who voted for him is prepared for the wrath of what will happen to our wonderful Country.

Elizabeth

Danielle, wake up, the Republican Party cares so little about you. As a woman you can’t afford a Romney/Ryan agenda. So please, you do your research, because I have done mine.

Danielle

I’m wide awake…. I will not argue with a liberal. You have zero facts to substantiate what you just said. If that is all you have to discuss then really do some more research. Obama will destroy America… already happening. So with all due respect you wake up.
Danielle

By the way, I was specifically responding to your ridiculous comment that no one thought Romney won…. see my other comment. What does that even mean… no one thought Ryan won? It’s sounds stupid, no? I will not be voting with my uterus… There are many, many, many issues that as AMERICANS we need to worry about.

K.M

I’m planning on moving to london!

Sccotton

The CNN network showed a poll right after the debate saying Ryan won…so I thinklivloveblog is right.

Erin

Actually, Elizabeth, CNN’s poll shows Ryan winning over Biden 48% to 44%. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/11/cnn-poll-on-debate-winner-ryan-48-biden-44/?hpt=hp_t1
Arguably, a draw. I’m frankly embarrassed at the immaturity and disrespect Biden displayed. Overall a pretty irritating debate with them shouting over each other, and not nearly as productive as the presidential debate.
Kendra

Interesting debate, though the constant jabs and interruptions were disappointing. In my opinion there was no clear winner, but I think in an attempt to compensate for Obama’s poor performance in the last debate, Biden definitely came on to strong and came across as a bit of a bully. His efforts at reigning in the foul language (“that’s just a load of stuff”) cracked me up!
Donna

Well I’ll be the first to say that I thought Ryan won. It was totally embarrassing to have our vice president constantly interrupt & sneer & laugh at Ryan who was always polite & courteous to his opponent throughout the debate. I respect Ryan’s religious views on abortion & think he wrapped this debate as a win!
Danielle

Joe
Biden was rude and aggressive and they could not even pay attention to
what he was saying. I think any one who TRULY fact checks will see who
had the upper hand. I am not even sure why they declare a winner – it’s
a moderated debate not debate club in HS. People who are decided in
their votes at this point aren’t going to change their mind one way or
the other no matter what is said. Could
someone please cite a single piece of empirical evidence that supports
that or perhaps a single issue in which Ryan was defeated. There are no
winners in these debates because they are not debates. They are
moderated speeches. Romney didn’t win the first debate, he commanded the
stage and dictated the narrative. Biden didn’t win this one, he
colluded with the moderator and disrespectfully laughed at his
challenger. An incumbent who must shift the narrative from his record to
the absurdity of the challenger’s every comment has already lost. To
win a real debate you must substantiate an argument with facts, not
opinion. This is why there are no winners in moderated arguments. In
my opinion, Ryan had the upper hand because he spoke like a true
Presidential candidate and based what he had to say on facts. A quality
we have been missing for quite a while.
Sccotton

I thought this debate went on and on & more irritating to watch. Although Biden was passionate he was extremely rude by interrupting, laughing, and smirking. I thought Ryan was respectful and had some good things to say…although he was repeatedly interrupted not only by Biden but also the moderator more than a couple times. I think Biden’s style hurt him honestly and I look forward to the next presidential debate.

Danielle

Well the moderator is good friends with Obama and Biden so that was a joke having her moderate. I look forward to the remaining debates as well where if your watching will see what President Obama is really about, just like the last one.

Molly McConn

I’m seeing a lot of commentary of who mastered the economy, which is essentially the driving issue of this campaign. Whatever is being said in regards to the economy has already been said without words over the last 4 years. Yes, Obama/Biden inherited a $5 trillion debt from Bush, but in only 4 years, they have accumulated a $6 billion debt. One can only assume there’s more to come. Obama and his administration haven’t passed a budget resolution in over three years, so I fear nothing will get solved if he’s re-elected.

I was also extremely turned off by Biden’s attitude throughout the entirety of the debate. It’s been accounted for quite a bit, but I found it distasteful, rude, and arrogant as well as at extremely inappropriate times. I can’t help but sympathize with the VP candidate who wants to conserve life from conception, wants to implement a competitive free-market approach to healthcare, and has the willpower to cut unnecessary government programs, so America can get back to what it can and should be.
K.M

I may be in the minority here, but I think Biden was way to brash. His answers never shared what they PLAN to do. Every answers was diminishing to Romney, even if his views are crazy, he deserves to be treated nicely! I think Biden needs to polish his image and quit acting so petty, then maybe he’ll do a little better and not come off so painfully immature.
Sandra

Regardless of if you don’t agree with Obama’s policies, or you aren’t a democrat.

Why would you trust a person who changes position to suit the polls?

Why would you trust a man who says he doesn’t care about 47% of Americans?

Why would you trust a man who embraces ObamaCare to a Liberal crowd and says that he will repeal it to a Conservative crowd?

Why would you trust a man who defies all past Presidential Candidates and failed to show his taxes? One must surely think what does he have to hide?

Would you trust a man who believes in limited government but would like to tell women what they can and cannot do with their bodies?

The fact is that Romney is untrustworthy and quite frankly one at to be very concerned if he became the president.

Dk1968

If I was not on an iPhone I would address each line you wrote and will later but seriously you trust Obama??? I hope you watched 2016. It is the president’s own words from his book. You want to talk about trust??? Wow the ignorance is deep with this comment.
Rcfullam

Why would you trust a man that said the healthcare bill is NOT a tax then when s$$t came to stink said ok if the court will let’s us keep the bill we will call it a tax. Just wait for what is coming down the road with that little item. How about his lies on Libya ? You may want to re-elect the “eye-candy” president, but frankly I want to feed my family