THE DEBATE – AT 8:29 A.M. ET:  So there was this vice-presidential debate last night.  As we've said here before, the only important thing about debates is who wins.  No one is educated and only occasionally is a line remembered.  The most memorable line of televised presidential debates, since they began in 1960, was Ronald Reagan's "There you go again," delivered to Jimmy Carter, who didn't get a chance to go again because Reagan defeated him.

So who won last night?

The polls are split.  Biden was clearly the more experienced debater, Ryan the more knowledgeable...and the wiser.  Ordinarily, Biden's smoothness in debate would have clearly won, but he handed Ryan a great gift by sneering and smirking throughout the session, something seen only on television.  His condescending attitude turned a possible victory into a draw or even a loss. 

We'll see if the overall polls change at all.  I think people are waiting for the next presidential face-off, Tuesday night.  In my view, that will be the most important day of the race.  If Romney can "ratify" the impression he gave during the first debate, that of a prepared, elegant, knowledgeable, leader, he at least holds his position and possibly improves it.  Obama has a lot of making up to do, and seems desperate.  If Biden's sneering is an example of what's coming, Obama will be in trouble.  People don't like it.

Romney is a much better debater than is Paul Ryan, and much more experienced.  Obama isn't as good a debater as Biden.  Romney won't let Obama get away with some of the outrages pulled by Biden last night.  We have reason to be optimistic, but I want to see the show before writing any reviews.

On the moderator, Martha Raddatz:  Conservatives are griping that she was tilted toward Biden.  So what else is new?  She probably was, in that she let Biden constantly interrupt Ryan.  But in that, unintentionally, she probably did us a favor, as she added to Biden's terminal obnoxia.  She also asked Biden some tough questions on Libya.  Biased, yes, but not to the point where we should start a revolution.  We should save our fire for someone who truly hurts us.

October 12,  2012