This Isn't Dancing With The Stars

by muon

The early reactions from the VP debate are in and here are my observations.

Everyone's talking about looks, smiles, rolling of eyes, who interrupted who, and who lied. (For the record, both lied to some extent, but Biden's were more in the exaggeration or twisting of words category, while Ryan more often ventured into "pants on fire" territory.)

Every Romney/Ryan supporter said Biden interrupted too much. They didn't say this last week when their candidate interrupted far more. Romney basically tried to hijack the whole proceeding last week. He was obnoxious to the moderator. But everyone said he was aggressive and confident. Mr. Biden was passionate last night. Not aggressive, not obnoxious. The times he did interrupt, it was to ask Ms. Raddatz if he'd be able to respond to Ryan's misstatements. Biden was not rude. On the other end of the scale, Romney supporters were praising Ryan for being "cool." Frankly, Ryan was a lot like Obama last week. Too cool. When he gave details at all (which wasn't often), it was from his position as "The Math Guy"--ie, he made viewers' eyes glaze over.

Last night was a good debate on issues. The differences in the candidates' positions were made fairly clear. Martha Raddatz did an excellent job asking follow-up questions and keeping each man on task and schedule. I would have liked to hear a few other issues, about the Lilly Ledbetter Act, for instance, and about immigration, the environment, education, union-busting and voter suppression.

But really, I'm not sure it would have made a difference because no one's talking about issues this morning.  America seems to be treating these debates as they would Dancing With The Stars. Already having decided their favorites, people are watching the debates hoping to see the other guy fall on his ass. When it comes time to vote someone off the island, it will be because they didn't like the way the other guy smirked or laughed.

Issues will likely have little to do with this election. Apparently, even when two candidates spend 90 minutes talking about them, all people notice are outward appearances. No one listens.