Biden vs. Ryan: An Analysis

Well, that was quite interesting. Tonight was the Vice-Presidential Debate and after watching it, Paul Ryan showed his intense knowledge and ability to articulate it, however, he was up against a combative Vice President in Joe Biden and an unfair moderator in Martha Raddatz; doing his best against a setting greatly stacked against him.

First, Paul Ryan. He clearly came across as the more intelligent and more articulate individual. He called out the Obama Administration on the economy, Libya, Iran, and foreign policy, in general. Also, Ryan stayed measured and calm in the face of Joe Biden's distractions and interruptions, as well as Martha Raddatz's interruptions, subject changings and unfair allotment of time. Ryan could have improved his effectiveness if he continued to talk over the interruptions, make a few interruptions himself and call out Biden on more of his misstatements lies.

With Joe Biden, we saw the real Joe Biden: an arrogant, big-mouthed, over the top, condescending buffoon. This is how he wanted to perform against Sarah Palin in 2008, but did not because the campaign was afraid how his behavior would look directed at a woman. He debated tonight on emotion and not on substance. While it may help with some blue collar Democrats and liberal Democrats who are at the edge after Obama's shoddy debate performance, it won't help with the majority of Americans. His constant laughter, Jack Nicholson/Joker smile, multiple interruptions and boorish behavior channeled Al Gore in 2000 with his audible sighs. It didn't work out well for Gore and this behavior won't work out well for Biden. Furthermore, Biden contradicted the State Department position on the security concerns of Libya and did not honestly recall his Senate votes on Iraq.

Martha Raddatz's moderation of this debate was absolutely disgraceful and clearly unfair toward Paul Ryan. She found herself interrupting Ryan more than Biden and because Ryan is polite and possibly because he didn't want to seem boorish in interrupting a woman. Additionally, her transition between topics made little sense and the focus on certain topics shied away from more relevant issues to Americans' lives. Most of America may think she was horrible, but among her MSM and Harvard friends, there will be commendations, back slaps and high fives.

We will see how the debate performance of Joe Biden and Paul Ryan will play out in the coming days, and while early snap polls are calling Ryan the winner, as well as believing he articulated more substance, I believe that in the end, this debate won't change any polls or momentum in approach of next Tuesday's town hall debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.