Conservatives have been salivating over the prospect of vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, the so-called intellectual wing of the Republican Party, debating Joe Biden, the drunk uncle of politics. And, it happens tonight. Following Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s stellar performance against President Obama, Republicans are feeling mighty confident about the debate tonight. Perhaps they’ve forgotten that Biden was a master debater in 2008. According to Politico:
“Biden is flat-out the best debater in the 2012 campaign this side of Mitt Romney — more comfortable and limber at the lectern than his own boss, according to Democrats who get paid to prep candidates. And four years ago, he delivered what was arguably the most effective, and restrained, performance of his four-decade career against Sarah Palin in the 2008 vice presidential debate. … “
Despite the self-congratulatory predictions of those who are paid to prepare Biden for debate (we’re guessing former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is no longer helping), his performance is a distant memory when compared to his propensity to put his foot in his mouth on the campaign trail. We’ve frequently documented his numerous gaffes (mostly because we find them entertaining). As the Seattle Post Intelligencer eloquently noted:
“If political gaffe-making were an art, Vice President Joe Biden would be Pablo Picasso, a prolific artist going from one campaign stop to the next creating vibrant and colorful abstractions of all shapes and styles.”
Either way, this debate is predicted to be far more combative than Obama’s “Rocky Mountain High” performance from last week. It all begins at 7:00 p.m. MT tonight. In case you’re with friends, here’s a fun drinking game for your consideration.