Biden’s toxic victory
WASHINGTON — Normally, a debate “victory” doesn’t require quite so much damage control. After Vice President Joe Biden’s manic, careening ride through global politics last week, President Obama is left to make a variety of cleanups and clarifications.
On Libya, Biden managed to further muddle a muddled narrative. His claim that the administration had no knowledge of requests for added security in Benghazi required immediate correction. He was “speaking about himself and the president,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney. Which served to highlight the culpability of the State Department and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—while Clinton’s husband is stumping the country to salvage Obama’s re-election effort.
Biden went on to blame “the intelligence community” for the administration’s multiday misinformation campaign—even though elements of the intelligence community apparently knew the truth within 24 hours of the attack. Biden raised more uncomfortable questions about the Libyan fiasco than weeks of congressional hearings could manage.
On Afghanistan, Biden described a policy of total and unconditional retreat that the Obama administration does not actually hold. “We are leaving in 2014, period,” said Biden. Responsible representatives of the administration put it a little differently: American combat forces are leaving in 2014, but considerable special operations and training forces will remain to help prevent the Taliban from re-establishing a terrorocracy.
Biden, in fact, was representing his own position in an internal White House debate—the abject surrender option—rather than the administration’s stated view. During the debate, the other world leader who must have been giggling was Mullah Omar.
On Iran, Biden seemed to indicate that the regime’s enrichment program is no longer a primary American concern because it doesn’t have anything to “put it in.” Enrichment is the most difficult part of developing a nuclear bomb. Once achieved, weaponization is a relatively short step.
Biden’s response to Iran’s defiant enrichment march? “Let’s all calm down a little bit here.”
So, in a mere 90 minutes, Biden managed to throw Hillary Clinton under the bus, CIA Director David Petraeus under the bus, our Afghan allies and the Afghan people under the bus and our Middle Eastern allies who fear an Iranian bomb under the bus. Which means that Obama, in trying to explain himself, is in for a bumpy ride. There is a reason that Biden is generally kept out of press earshot. He is forever poised between an indiscretion and a different indiscretion.
But Biden’s performance will be forever remembered, not for its content, but for its tone. I have occasionally admired Biden’s emotional transparency and “happy warrior” enthusiasm. His presentation in Kentucky, in contrast, was a collection of disturbing, disorderly appetites. He displayed scene-chewing antics and preening exhibitionism and smirking rudeness and egotistical exuberance and bullying condescension. It was the attack of the feral ham actor. It would have been embarrassing if done in front of a mirror, much less on a debate stage.
This has complicated Obama’s life in another way. The road rage wing of the Democratic Party (the GOP has one, as well) views the Biden meltdown as a pioneering achievement in political discourse. Former Gov. Howard Dean—an expert in nontraditional political deportment—argues that Biden is “an excellent role model” for Obama. Because adopting this model would disqualify Obama for the presidency, elements of the Left are bound to be disappointed with the president’s debate performances. And it will be harder for Obama to claim the mantle of bipartisanship when his running mate is celebrated for his incivility.
Biden has also marginally complicated the work of democracy. His supporters say that Joe is just being Joe—that he is one of a kind. But all ethics—from the Golden Rule to the categorical imperative—involve universalization. If Biden’s behavior were universalized, American politics would be a squalid, carnival sideshow. Or cable television. Whatever is worse. Americans have every right to hate politics if it looks like this.
At the height of a close election, it is worth a reminder that civility is the essential democratic virtue. Civility is not the same thing as niceness. The high stakes of politics can produce intense disagreements. But manners—even cold, formal ones—communicate a modicum of mutual respect and preserve the possibility of future cooperation.
John Stuart Mill called democracy “government by discussion.” Biden has left our discussion more toxic—and Obama’s task more difficult.
Michael Gerson is a columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group; email michaelgerson@washpost.com.
Oct 17, 2012 at 7:12 p.m.
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"The attack of the feral ham actor"? "The road-rage wing of the Democratic Party"? Gerson might as well be describing the Obama apologists that post oh so frequently here on the Gazette.
Oct 17, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.
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I have to laugh at this "article' considering Romney did the same exact thing, only worse...I was just waiting for Romney to shove the mediator to the ground and take out the scissors, that was the only thing missing. He wouldn't let the mediator talk, and with the debate last night, he ALWAYS had to get the last word in, even if it was a lie or flip-flop. He's still the bully he always was!
Oct 17, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.
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By a 49%-35% margin, debate watchers thought that Obama spent more time attacking his opponent and not talking about how the next four years will improve.
...very telling they want to know how it will "improve". 49%
Oct 17, 2012 at 8:28 a.m.
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Romney had a 49%-46% edge on which candidate seemed to be the stronger leader and 45%-43% margin on who answered questions more directly
Obama won used the most time and the coin toss to get the final say.
Oct 17, 2012 at 6:34 a.m.
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Yes motor whatever you say, as you echo your countless remarks from msnbc, huffpost, and TP...
Oct 17, 2012 at 4:25 a.m.
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Biden won the smirk and disrespect award, that's for sure. Proverbs 29:9 reads in the NIV: "If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace."
Oct 16, 2012 at 11:11 p.m.
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Yes motor, the lefts views posted in this comment section alone are the epitome of courteous; hypocrite.
Oct 16, 2012 at 7:39 p.m.
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"Obama recaptures lead over Romney in new poll" [ http://www.reuters.com/video/2012/10/16/... ]
Not to mention the fact that Obama never came close to losing the lead in electoral college projections with plenty of electors to win the election.
Oct 16, 2012 at 7:29 p.m.
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mjoseph
Ok, you win....Biden won and that is why Obama/Biden ticket is dropping like a rock in the polls. Besides, Honey Boo Boo endorsed Obama, so it's a lock.
Oct 16, 2012 at 7:14 p.m.
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The only thing that scares me is that there will be voters naive enough to believe that the same Republican policies which led to billions in deficits from Reagan to Bush will somehow, under Romney's control, lead us out of our economic morass. The SAME policies that led to the economic disaster that was the Bush presidency are being touted by Romney as a means to fix the economy. The fact is, beginning with Hoover, Democrats have out-performed Republicans in growing our economy (see Bloomberg link). Based on his policies, Romney will fulfill his Mormon oath to destroy America.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-25...
Oct 16, 2012 at 6:57 p.m.
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A toxic presidency the last four years as well.......
Oct 16, 2012 at 6:41 p.m.
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Politifact determined that
Ryan told 3 Mostly False comments, 1 False comment, and 1 Lie of the Year .
Biden told 1 Mostly False comment, and 2 Half True comments.
Read the story at:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/...
Gotta hand it to Ryan, he is the BEST LIAR!
Oct 16, 2012 at 6:31 p.m.
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Biden Won the VP Debate says:
Undecided voters: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-5753...
Reuters/Ipso Poll: http://www.reuters.com/article/video/idU...
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/101...
Vanity Fair: http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/purdu...
Oct 16, 2012 at 6:25 p.m.
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Visit www.Politifact.com and www.FactCheck.org. Both said that Ryan lied more than Biden in the VP debate.
Ryan is an accomplished liar, so much so that his nickname is "Lyin Paul Ryan."
Oct 16, 2012 at 5:24 p.m.
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I "misposted".
Wrong article...meant for the Kolste/Knilans article.
Oct 16, 2012 at 5:22 p.m.
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Classrooms are NOT "grossly overcrowded". LIE.
Oct 16, 2012 at 4:35 p.m.
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Gee Panama Red - those same polls skewed Democrat but 9% polling and even with that same skew, Romney is now leading.
Are you scared yet?
Oct 16, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
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Gee, thatwaseasy, are you now relying on the same polls that just a week or so ago Republicans claimed were "fixed", "biased" and under control of Democrats and the liberal media? Nothing delusional about that. Of course, you have to be delusional to believe that tax cuts will help create jobs AND reduce the deficit. How did that work under Bush and Reagan. In reality, not too well would be an understatement.
Oct 16, 2012 at 3:33 p.m.
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http://www.gallup.com/poll/158048/romney...
So much damage control that Romney just went to 50% in Gallop to Obama's 46%. Growing crowds and growing poll numbers. Great damage control
Oct 16, 2012 at 3:31 p.m.
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Yes sir, you Conservatives are doing a fine job of damage control for Ryan. Poor Paulie was repeating one contradiction after another. Between Mitt's flip-flops and Ryan's hypocrisy, Joe had him on the ropes all night. Ryan is just what he appears to be - an empty suit promising failed Republican policies, especially when asked to offer specifics on Republican plans for tax reform. Imagine that - there is no plan. Last week the Conservatives hailed Romney's assertiveness but this week classify Bidens actions as "toxic". For Republicans, its not just their polices that are failing - its their grip on reality as well.
Oct 16, 2012 at 3:23 p.m.
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The liberals are still thinking Biden had a victory? Toxic or not, delusional!
Hey Obama, is Hiliary to blame for Benghazi????? - Barry just keep walking away. Don't have a press conference. Don't take responsibility as the leader. Don't pay attention to Hiliary's comment in 08 that the buck stops with the President. (oh wait, that's only if it is a Republican).
Oct 16, 2012 at 3:04 p.m.
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Biden looked like he was auditioning for Jersey Shore.... Even they didnt want him.
Oct 16, 2012 at 2:54 p.m.
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BIDEN lied.
State Department official: Negotiations to extend U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan starting soon
"Despite statements by Vice President Joe Biden, the State Department is about to begin formal negotiations over the extension of U.S. troops past 2014, a top State Department official said Tuesday.
Last week, U.S. and Afghan negotiators met in Kabul to talk about the Bilateral Security Agreement that will govern the extension of U.S. troops past 2014, when President Barack Obama said the combat mission in Afghanistan will end and the U.S. will complete the transition of the entire country to Afghan government control.
Also last week, Biden told Americans during his Oct. 11 debate with Republican vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan that U.S. troops were leaving Afghanistan by 2014."
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/...
Oct 16, 2012 at 2:43 p.m.
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westorbust
Biden was not debating Romney. If you think Biden acts like someone who is "one heartbeat away" from the nuclear button, that is scary.
Perhaps Biden should have had further medical testing, including MRI, maybe he has some medical issues related to his past medical history, that would explain his behavior.
Oct 16, 2012 at 2:35 p.m.
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The VP debate of 2012 will long be remembered not for what was said but for the childish actions of a sitting Vice President. It showed a complete lack of respect for his opponent and it showed us he had a complete lack of respect for the office he holds for another few months.
Oct 16, 2012 at 1:41 p.m.
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Everyone might look like a robot compared the personification of slobbery (Biden) that has been tapped into by the TV industry for great profit.
Now that slobbery has infected itself into national presidential politics. Just think of what that debate would have been like if Ryan had acted like Biden -the Gerry Springer show.
Politics aside.
Oct 16, 2012 at 1:18 p.m.
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I think Biden's performance was fine. If you want an animatronic version of a human being, then Mitt is your man.
The conservatives are playing crybaby because their wonderkid's Underoos are showing through.
Oct 16, 2012 at 10:03 a.m.
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Yes, Joe is what makes Obama assassination-proof.
Oct 16, 2012 at 8:51 a.m.
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Joe was just being Joe! What you saw is what we have in the office of the vice president. Pray for Obama's health, at least until the afternoon of January 20th.
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