Following Barack Obama's humiliating defeat on the debate stage, the Democrats are looking to Joe Biden to deliver a big win against Paul Ryan this Thursday. Which may be, as far as Hope n' Change can tell, the first real evidence that Democrats believe in the power of prayer.
To prepare for the debate, Joe Biden is taking six days off from his grueling campaign schedule. Which doesn't necessarily mean he'll be studying all that time...it just means that when the debate starts, it will have been at least six days since his last major public gaffe.
Among some of the more delicious whoppers of late, Biden recently announced that "the middle class has been buried for the last four years," apparently (and believably) unaware of who's been running things for the last four years.
He then proclaimed that "Republicans say Obama and Biden want to raise taxes by a trillion dollars. Guess what? Yes, we do!" Yeah, that will certainly get businesses to start hiring!
But in all seriousness, Hope n' Change thinks it entirely possible that Biden may have some sort of nasty surprise up his sleeve when he steps onto the debate stage this Thursday. The Obama campaign desperately needs to hit Romney hard, and Barack Obama can't be seen "lowering himself" by making some scurrilous personal attack on his opponent. But Biden can, and possibly will.
Not that we think there's any actual dirt on either Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan - but we fully believe that lying is the very essence of "The Chicago Way" and Joe Biden is nothing if not a willing political tool.
Moreover, Biden is a much better debater than his boss - perhaps because he isn't distracted by actually thinking while he speaks, and is happy to enthusiastically spout whatever nonsense feels right at the moment - like suggesting to black folks that Romney wants to put them "back in chains." Because really, what goes over better with a black audience than slavery jokes?
Like the man and the boxing kangaroo, Ryan and Biden are going to be two wildly different opponents with completely different styles. Things may get ugly and may get crazy - but they definitely won't be boring.
BONUS: We couldn't let the (highly suspicious) new jobs numbers go by without a little commentary from our favorite pooch...
32 comments:
I think Biden is going to use the classic liberal technique of simply shouting over the top of everything said by his opponent.
After watching the talking heads Sunday, I have come to the conclusion that there is no lie large enough nor ridiculous enough not to be touted by the Obama surrogates (Duh). And this surprises me? NOT! I am waiting for the VP debate, simply for the reason that I want to see more of Ryan - I know what I'll see with Biden, as Coon Tasty said, the only defense is a loud shouting offense (literally). Does the Obama team really believe there are still that many kool-aid drinkers left? Unskewed Polls, We Ask America (which was the group that nailed the WI recall results), and the University of Colorado election models all point towards a Romney victory, the UoC model dramatically so. I guess these media polls are counting on the vast number of Honey Boo Boo viewers to pry themselves off the recliner and go vote for Obama.
The unemployment "numbers" were such a joke that nobody with an IQ over about 70 could look at them without laughing. I'm guessing that the low information voters have no interest in new fiction. Perhaps, just perhaps some of the otherwise intelligent voters that were swayed by Mr. Hopenchange last time can look at this BS and realize it's OK to vote for real change this time around.
My prediction: Ryan gets Joe fluested enough that Biden drops the f-bomb or like profanity on national TV.
Biden is prone to gaffes but also to say anything to score points with his base - he will attack because that is all he has - hoping Ryan will not allow himself to be distracted by such rants but rather, like Romney, keep his cool and state his position with facts to support his & Romney's positions.
@Tricky Ricky: I agree that the numbers seem to be much more than an 'outlier', maybe 'Out Lying' might be a more accurate term since they fly against every other indicator - however, the physical number matters little to anyone other than politicians and journalists - the people relate more to their specific situations, i.e., I don't care if it's 3.0, I (or my family member, neighbor, friend)don't have a job and haven't had one for x+ months.
@TDH/IP: One does have to remember that in the past Mr. Ryan has stood toe to toe with Obama in the infamous 'cabinet' meeting where he got Obama's goat and caused him to make the "We Won" statement. All he has to do is keep a calm demeanor and just keep stating the facts every time Sheriff Joe tells another lie, and remember, the Democratic strategy is if you tell a lie large enough, long enough, and loud enough, people will begin to believe.
@Coon Tasty,
Yup, you've nailed it. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the old, "I know you are, but what am I!?" or the infamous, "Oh, Yeah?!" come out of Joe's well oiled mouth. Joe is slick, but I'm betting Paul Ryan will not take the bait. My money's on the younger, more mature guy.
@Digital,
That would be f***ing awesome!!! I wonder if they run these things with the usual 7 second delay.
@Stilton,
Great post as usual; we very much appreciate the time you take to brighten our days and give us REAL hope that we just may get out of liberal hell soon.
I'm going to go against the grain here & predict a debate with no drama. Paul Ryan has already said something to the effect that Joe Biden can be a good communicator when he is focused and on task. And I don't think Ryan needed to say that to set up a scenario for diminished expectations on his part.
I anticipate a debate where Ryan will present lots of facts and figures & Biden will rely more on warmth & fuzziness & humor. Some will be excited by Ryan, some will be bored by Ryan, but most will find Biden likeable enough. At the end, no one will have moved in a different direction.
I think they both have an interest in not becoming a side show to this election (like we had in 2008 where the election seemed to be Obama vs. Palin, which worked to Obama's benefit).
The focus has to go back to Obama versus Romney.
Biden should not be taken lightly, he is a good litigator, chyt head of a VP and the source of too many gaffs to mention; but, a good litigator. I do, however, expect Ryan to out shine him and show him the for the fool he is.
Ricko in Georgia
However they try to deflect, detract or obfuscate, Obama and Biden are and will ever be the SCOAMF and his comic-relief side-kick "Slow-Joe". This election is a referendum on Obama's record, not Romney's taxes or his dog or 47%. With less than a month to go (hurry, please) Obama will have to find a way to prove that Romney was an Auschwitz camp guard or regularly ate at Chick-fil-A to smear him enough to bend people away from him. I have to have faith that 2012 will be as historic as 2008, but in a good way. I believe that America is ready for the adults to re-enter the room.
@alan markus +1
GALLUP: 5-POINT ROMNEY BOUNCE
POLL: Romney leads among independents 51-35...
'Enthusiasm' gap 13-point spread for Republican...
------
Date: January 20, 2013, Inauguration Day
Clapping
John Roberts : Governor are you prepared to take the Constitutional Oath.
Romney : I am.
John Roberts : Would you place your left hand on the bay of the Bible and raise your right hand and repeat after me : I Willard Mitt Romney do solemnly swear.
Romney : I Willard Mitt Romney do solemnly swear.
John Roberts : That I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States.
Romney : That I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States.
John Roberts : And will to the best of my ability.
Romney : And will to the best of my ability.
John Roberts : Preserve, protect and defend.
Romney : Preserve, protect and defend.
John Roberts : The Constitution of the United States.
Romney : The Constitution of the United States.
John Roberts : So help you God.
Romney : So help me God.
Now Congratulations Mr. President
Clapping
Clapping.
Clapping.
The President of the United States
Clapping.
Thank you
Thank you
Were the U-1 numbers "tampered with"? No, they weren't. The use of U-1 is bogus to begin with. The real number that exposes the economy's health is U-6; that's the number that includes those who are unemployed, under-employed, or who have just given up trying.
Under U-1, we could simply put everyone left "unemployed" on disability and the rest of welfare and we'd have 0% unemployment. That's far closer to Obama's real goal anyway.
@Coon Tasty- There is clearly a school of thought among some liberals that Romney won his debate by just talking over everyone else. This is demonstrably false, but they still believe it. I wouldn't be surprised to see Joe filibustering on multiple occasions.
@SeaDog52- I, too, am looking forward to hearing what Ryan has to say. Our financial situation is not just a talking point for a televised debate - it's a timebomb and Ryan knows the importance of defusing it.
@TrickyRicky- In rounded numbers (ie, I'm working from memory and don't feel like Googling), the unemployment rate went down because 115,000 jobs were created, but the government estimates that four times that many people got new jobs. It appears to be sort of a "loaves and fishes" type miracle.
@The Digital Hairshirt- I don't think Ryan is going to play any rhetorical games with Joe, but he might very well piss him off just by having command of the facts - and by telling Joe, specifically, that he's dead wrong every time he opens his mouth. But I don't think Joe will get sulky and petulant like his boss - he genuinely loves the game and will just get crazier.
@Irene Peduto- There's a saying (which I'm about to mangle) that the only person an expert swordsman fears is one who is holding a sword for the first time. Because the "expert" has trained to defend against all the classic moves, but not an illogical swing-and-slash style. That could easily be the challenge for Paul Ryan on Thursday: he'll explain the fiscal cliff, and Joe will counter with "Jesus, you just hate black people, don't you?"
@SeaDog52- That's the underlying point of the Bark Obama cartoon- three tenths of one percent would be an inconsequential reduction of our current misery even it were true.
And you're right that Ryan has no reluctance about mixing it up with opponents, whether the president, Tim Geithner, or anyone else. He speaks truth to power without fear.
@Colby- I can't imagine Joe actually being able to get Ryan off his game, though it will be interesting to watch him try. Joe is going to argue from the heart, and Ryan from the head.
@Alan Markus- I agree with your assessment of how the debate is likely to play out, and the styles of each man. That being said, per today's commentary I think that the Obama campaign may feel pressure to introduce some sort of game-changer that would be too hot for Obama to handle personally. And Joe is just the kind of true-believer who'll wear a rhetorical bomb vest into battle believing he's going to get 99 virgins out of the deal.
@Ricko from Georgia- I really don't underestimate Biden's skills. The man has been living, breathing, and talking politics for an eternity. It's what he loves most, and he's damn good at it. He can't beat Ryan on facts, but he might do a pretty good job of painting Ryan's necessarily severe policies as "heartless."
@Angry Hoosier Dad- There is no real smear that can tarnish Mitt, but look how far the left got with claims that Mitt pays no taxes. The Senate Majority Leader said it, and Dave Letterman repeated the assertion several days ago - despite the fact that Romney had already released his most recent return and he's paying more taxes than 97% of other Americans. A smear doesn't have to be true - just credible (with MSM help) long enough to creep into voter's brains via osmosis.
@Philip- Although I've said I'm ignoring polls, I'll admit that those numbers put a smile on my face. And man, I sure like that script for Mitt's inauguration.
@John the Econ- You're exactly right; those numbers are meaningless and the real numbers (as reflected in U-6) are appallingly worse. Obama has been much more successful at bringing down the alleged unemployment rate by destroying Hope than by creating jobs.
And all of this makes me think about Nancy Pelosi, who has argued that unemployment is actually good for the country because, thanks to extended unemployment benefits, jobless people are out there shopping. She also said that our country would be richly blessed because when people don't have jobs it allows them to be "creative and be a musician or whatever." Her lofty contempt for reality mirrors that of her party and her president.
This needs to grow legs and go for a big walk-about on the Internet:
SCANDAL: Bombshell: Obama.com Owned by Bundler in Shanghai with Business Ties to Chinese Government.
Consider this a red-alert, a call to action - MSM will most likely ignore it, so it is up to us to make sure this sees the light of day. Please look at the link, but here's a sample.
In an explosive report set to send shockwaves through official Washington, the Government Accountability Institute (GAI) released a 108-page GAI investigation into the threat of foreign and fraudulent Internet campaign donations in U.S. federal elections (visit campaignfundingrisks.com to download the full report).
Breitbart News obtained an advance copy of the bombshell report which reveals that the Obama.com website is not owned by the president’s campaign but rather by Obama bundler Robert Roche, a U.S. citizen living in Shanghai, China. Roche is the chairman of a Chinese infomercial company, Acorn International, with ties to state-controlled banks that allow it to “gain revenue through credit card transactions with Chinese banks.”
There’s more.
The unusual Obama.com website redirects traffic directly to a donation page on the Obama campaign’s official website, my.barackobama.com, which does not require donors to enter their credit card security code (known as the CVV code), thereby increasing the likelihood of foreign or fraudulent donations. The website is managed by a small web development firm, Wicked Global, in Maine. One of Wicked Global’s employees, Greg Dorr, lists on his LinkedIn page his additional employment with Peace Action Maine and Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights. According to the GAI report, 68 percent of all Internet traffic to Obama.com comes from foreign visitors.
A record $181 million dollars raised by Obama in September - all "small donations."
@alan markus,
Haven't you heard? Romney hauled his dog on top of his car!!
We'll be watching ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS and MSNBC stay away in droves yet again, but thanks for putting up the link. Sadly for Liberals, WE can use the internet, too!
@Philip,
I agree with Stilton, polls can surely be misleading, but it sure if fun to see ones like you posted! I just keep reminding myself... October 26, 1980 had Carter over Reagan by 8%. Days later, Reagan won by 10%. Look out BO; you just might be getting the ass-whuppin' of your life next month. Feel free to move back to Hawaii and become a recluse.
And Joe is just the kind of true-believer who'll wear a rhetorical bomb vest into battle believing he's going to get 99 virgins out of the deal.
And according to Joe's wife Jill, he may be "up" for that:
I've seen Joe up close,' making a wide motion with her hands, before blushing as she realised the innuendo she had just made.
and then there was this:
The Second Lady's description of Mr Biden's 'big, strong heart' was no longer as innocent as intended and by the time she got to revealing how she has 'heard the urgency in his voice when he comes....
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2207183/Now-Bidens-wife-making-gaffes-makes-accidental-X-rated-joke-husband.html>Now it's Biden's wife making gaffes as she makes accidental X-rated joke about her husband</a>
@alan markus- It sounds like Obama's fundraising stinks to high heaven, and I desperately hope that the news will be impossible to contain. Somehow, he pulls in $181 million in a month, and 98% of that is "not reportable" and half (I think) is from people who have no record of having donated before?!
@Colby- Speaking of ass-whupping, I just watched Mitt Romney's foreign policy speech...and right about now, Barry must be soiling himself. Mitt showed strength and leadership that Barry can't dream of. And Mitt wasn't subtle about calling Obama a failure.
@alan markus- I'd hate to be in the public eye and have my every utterance dissected. Of course, most of what I say on purpose sounds like Tourette's, so maybe it wouldn't make much of a difference.
@alan markus,
Jill Biden has confirmed my suspicions. Joe is just one huge, enormous dick. It's no small wonder (pun intended) that he just keeps stepping on it!
Oops... too fast on the post button...
@Stilton,
I can't wait to watch Romney's speech, but I'm also dreading the hack job editing that will happen at the "usual suspects" (LSM). I'm pretty dang tired of selective memories, selective hearing, and selective scissors.
A friend of mine actually asked me "You did not leave for Canada in ’69, you stayed and did your duty. So tell me, how is Canada looking now?" My reply was that I would be damned if any politician will make me leave my country - I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and they will pry my voter registration card out of my cold dead hands.
Regarding polls, some interesting valid polls to watch:
http://www.unskewedpolls.com/index.cfm and
http://weaskamerica.com/2012/10/05/boing/
Also, an interesting study by UofC:
http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2012/10/04/updated-election-forecasting-model-still-points-romney-win-university
Once we do get through this election cycle, and I'm sure that the outcome will be as we desire for the country, you can track your Congresscritter's votes via email on www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote/, that's how I proved to some that K'Bailey had ossified in her Senate seat. You can contact your Rep or Senator and reference their specific vote on an item. Don't expect to get anything more than a boilerplate reply, but trust me, some where an aide is keeping a tally track.
Folks, folks, folks! You're confusing the VP with the ExP. it's Clinton that is so keenly interested in the 99 virgins...
Interesting stuff, re: Øbama fundraising; however, it mimics my recollection of the 2008 election's fundraising. Huge dumps of small donations via the web.
From Thomas Paine:
“I do not choose to be a common person. It is my right to be uncommon-- if I can. I seek opportunity--not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the State look after me. I want to take the calculated risk--to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole; I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence, the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid, to think and to act for myself, to enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, This, with God's help, I have done. All this is what it means to be an Entrepreneur!”
@SeaDog52- Great stuff!
@Stilton: Hard to believe that was ~250+ years ago.
Read the Wiki on Paine - interesting character!
Let's see if we can account for all the election violations in the last week by the Obama Campaign: 1) Illegal financial donations, 2) Naming organizations/companies as supporters that want nothing to do with them (AARP/Muppets), 3) Posing as election officials to access a FL high school to sign up voters, 4) Giving campaign speeches to above mentioned students, 5) HHS directly involved in campaign, and the beat goes on....
SeaDog52,
Don't forget that, since Big Bird/PBS IS paid for in part with Federal funds, I do believe using Big Bird in a campaign ad is illegal -- not that I expect Eric "My People" Holder to do anything ...
:)
When I walk into my local Wally World and see all the Sesame Street toys, coloring books, DVD's and so on, it pisses me off that my tax dollars are supporting them so they can go out and make a shitload of money on royalties. I'll bet Tickle Me Elmo alone sold enough to fund Sesame Street for about 30 years. PBS is no stranger to good old capitalism, but they would crap if they had to depend on it like the networks that don't get government bucks.
@Earl Allison...
So, let me get this straight. Big Turd is using Big Bird in his cam-pain? Is it just me, or has the world gone completely bonkers? We have gay people boycotting chicken sandwiches, news people getting thrills up their legs, and the POTUS accusing his opponent of trying to kill an effing PUPPET!
I really agree with your post regarding Obama's defeat in the cammpaign. I have very similar posts on ObamaPoliticalCartoons.com, my web site. Keep up the good work patriots! God Bless America!
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