Vice presidential debates don’t generally matter much. Not many voters tend to change their minds based on the tussle of the number-twos.
And yet, the vice presidential contest may be important for less direct reasons.
Could it be that the 2012 vice presidential debate will have historic consequences?
The debate reactions are in. Unsurprisingly, it appears that Obama supporters tend to think Biden won. Romney supporters tend to think Ryan won.
Yet, there may be a significant result.
Biden’s open disrespect, even contempt for Ryan’s expressions of opinion are unprecedented for a presidential or vice presidential debate. Indeed, many viewers are likely to view Biden’s handiwork as conveying disrespect and contempt for Ryan as a person, as well.
To the extent his approach is viewed as effective, and is not condemned as outside the understood bounds of decorum, has Biden thrown open the door–or lowered the floor–going forward?
An interesting division: many who have condemned Biden’s performance characterize it, in one way or another, as weak, grasping, desperate. Those who praise Biden’s performance tend to view it as strong, assured, confident.
What Do You Think?
How do you come down on these questions?
What standards do you think should be held for future debates?
Does it matter that civility continues to fray? Is it destructive to public life? Or is it a welcome way to air differences?
Looking back a generation hence, this debate may be viewed as less about Biden or Ryan, and more about the kind of nation we are, and may become. Who Won the Debate may matter less than how it’s decided they “won,” and what it means.
Ultimately, you will decide.
Biden or Ryan? Who Won the Debate?
Biden was uncivil. Biden’s strategy in the debate was in direct response to the first Presidential debate. Obama lost to Romney due to the moderator, Jim Leher’s inability to manage Romney’s incivility. Romney’s inappropriate interrupting and “speaking over” Obama and Leher’s was a political strategy to show Romney’s “strength”. . Romney was simply uncivil. Incivility is a part of the political strategy to win. Politics has always been pretty uncivil. We see the incivility more in the modern 24/7 Internet age of video coverage of politics. Like Romney, Biden was uncivil. Obama supporters didn’t like Romney’s incivility but not a lot was said about that because they did not want to appear wimpy and instead they were disappointed that Obama was not strong (uncivil) in response. Incivility wins elections unfortunately. Incivility appeals to the extremes of the parties. Unfortunately, the extremes of each party view their candidate’s incivility as strength.
Who wins with incivility? The minority extremes of each party and the media. Who loses? The majority moderates of each party. What’s the solution? Good referee moderators in debates who are clear about uncivil behavior in advance and decisive when a candidate crosses the line during the debate.
Thanks for sharing, John. Important issues and perspective you express so well.