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Special Report
Reagan on Biden: ‘Smooth But Pure Demagogue’
Gipper accused VP of being part of “lynch mob.”
Ronald Reagan was not impressed with Joe Biden.
In fact, writing in his diary in his usual abbreviated style on June 15, 1987, Reagan described Biden this way:
He’s smooth but pure demagog [sic]— out to save Am. [America] from Reagan Doctrine.
That was a year after Reagan made a note about Biden and Senators Ted Kennedy and Howard Metzenbaum, who were busy making “vitriolic attacks on TV” about Reagan’s nominee for Chief Justice of the United States, then Associate Justice William Rehnquist. Wrote Reagan:
They really are a lynch mob.
As America settles in tonight to watch now-Vice President Biden face off in debate with Congressman Paul Ryan, whom no one has ever accused of being either a “smooth but pure demagogue” much less part of “a lynch mob,” it’s worth a look at exactly why the nation’s 40th president saw Biden this way — and how Reagan’s assessment is reflected in the conduct of today’s Obama-Biden administration. Reagan never recorded of Biden as he is seen by many today — as a gaffe-prone fool.
Reagan’s point was that no matter the issue — it could have been the Reagan Doctrine one day or the confirmation of Reagan appointees the next day (on one occasion Biden smilingly told a nominee for an obscure government board, “by my definition you are a racist”) or something else the day after — Joe Biden was always there to play the role of the “smooth but pure demagogue” — the hot headed guy in the leftist political lynch mob brandishing the rope.
For Americans who have watched with alternating amusement and incredulity, this is precisely the trait that Biden has repeatedly displayed in the four years of his vice presidency. This is exactly what was going on when Biden took to a Danville, Virginia podium back in August and bellowed to a largely African-American audience:
“Look at what they [Republicans] value, and look at their budget. And look what they’re proposing. [Romney] said in the first 100 days, he’s going to let the big banks write their own rules — unchain Wall Street. They’re going to put y’all back in chains.”
It was what was going on in Iowa the other day when Biden pushed his class-warfare theme by saying:
“…we’re going to ask the wealthy to pay more. My heart breaks. Come on, man.”
To be a demagogue, of course, is to exhibit a personality trait not a policy. To appeal to prejudice. There is more to all of this Biden demagoguery than just the theatrical performance of personality and appeals to prejudice. In the Reagan-era Biden used — still uses today as Obama’s Number two — the tools of a demagogue to push specific policies. And he has three policy favorites in which his addiction to demagoguery most frequently surface: foreign policy, race, and economics.
In matters of foreign policy, as Reagan noted with Biden’s opposition to the Reagan Doctrine, Joe Biden was and is still today as Barack Obama’s vice president a thorough-going partisan of left-wing, quasi-pacifist foreign policy precepts that effectively date to FDR’s discredited (and dumped) Vice President Henry Wallace. Wallace lost out to Harry Truman, his policies losing out both with post-World War II Democrats and with the country at large in the election of 1948.
But the same far-left foreign policy principles of Wallace finally took over the Democrats with the ascension of South Dakota Senator George McGovern as the Democrats’ nominee in 1972. McGovern had been a Wallace disciple, a delegate to the 1948 Progressive Party that nominated Wallace for president to oppose Truman. And it was in 1972, when McGovern-Democrats swarmed the party apparatus, that an ambitious 29-year old lawyer — Biden — took on the aging Republican Senator Caleb Boggs of Delaware and beat him in an upset.
Reagan specifically noted that Biden was opposed to the Reagan Doctrine.
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (119) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Jeffrey Lord
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spike59| 10.11.12 @ 6:32AM
The Gipper was too polite by half; Biden is simply one of the most soulless men ever to attain national political office
Bob K| 10.11.12 @ 9:03AM
Now, be nice! He can't help himself. He has had brain surgery twice for aneurisms. He will probably bring that up for sympathy.
irish19| 10.11.12 @ 10:38AM
Hair transplants don't count.
Drunken Sailor| 10.11.12 @ 2:33PM
Why surgically repair a aneurism in a empty vacumn?
Alan Obama Fan Brooks | 10.11.12 @ 5:54PM
If Biden loses tonight, I wont vote the Dem. ticket and will change AS handle to Alan Third Party Voter Brooks.
I wont vote for Romney under any circumstances
--unless Joseph Smith himself appears at my house to ask me to vote GOP: and somehow it does not appear that will happen.
Occam's Tool| 10.11.12 @ 9:03PM
Fine. Stay home, Alan.
tankrtrash| 10.12.12 @ 12:20AM
Sooooo ....Alan 3rd PVB... can I send you some Gary Johnson literature??
Occam's Tool| 10.11.12 @ 9:02PM
Sorry, but Biden needs to be cognitively tested, as he will be tonight by Ryan. No mercy for Joe.
A. C. Santore| 10.11.12 @ 9:39AM
First, another excellent piece from Jeffrey Lord, thanks.
spike59, there is no question about the accuracy of your post.
I'd add this. He's one of those most irritating life-long "politicians" who think they can say any outrageous thing they want to, as long as they flash their all-too-toothy and obviously insincere smile afterward.
Come to think of it, that describes Obama, too, doesn't it.
Jacobite| 10.11.12 @ 2:22PM
Henry Wallace was a Soviet agent-of-influence. He was a traitor. He should have been executed, with trial or without, because aiding and abetting the USSR was transparently obvious -- i.e., you supported policies the enemy advocated. Anyone who supported Henry Wallace, including voting for him as vice-President in '40 or for Prez in '48, is also a traitor, deserving death. Anyone who supports/defends Wallace or any Wallace defender, is likewise a traitor and needs to die. Leftists are like rattlesnakes -- if you find one in your bed, you don't toss it into the next room. You kill it. Or you surrender to your inevitable gutless defeat.
nathan| 10.11.12 @ 3:42PM
Not big on the Constitution are you? That "minor" little problem with what your proposing, the Fifth Amendment? Madison clearly had people like you exactly in mind when he said NO PERSON shall be what? deprived of life liberty or property without what sir? DUE PROCESS. And I don't really honestly care what you THINK you know about the guy, you still have to prove it in court how "beyond a reasonable doubt" to what? a jury of his peers. This isn't Russia or Germany, we actually hold trials here sir. Try not to forget that. As Tom Paine said, and atheist or not, drunk or not, he was absolutely right to keep our own rights we have to defend the rights of those we hate. Enjoy your evening.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 3:50PM
The 5th Amendment is for what?
To prevent you from Incriminating yourself. That's why The Mob lives offa the 5th Amendment.
The thing about the 5th Amendment is that, once you've taken it?
You've pretty much Admitted your Guilt, anyway.
RCV| 10.12.12 @ 6:28PM
Another deep perspective on our Constitutional rights by the man who believes God sent Hitler as a hunter to punish the Jews with the Holocaust.
Martin kzovich| 10.11.12 @ 6:51AM
I would bet that Paul Ryan knows this and it has been part of his debate prep. But he also knows that Biden can be loose canon as well. He must be prepared for the unexpected --an oxymoron. And be aware of the behavior of the moderator.
DTOM| 10.11.12 @ 8:29AM
Martin,
An oxymoron?
Howsabout a flock of them!
Don't Tread On Me!!
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 3:51PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
Tread on The Contest.
WaffenSS| 10.11.12 @ 7:11AM
The sad state of affairs of both parties is evident to anyone who finished school with their eyes open. Both parties are guilty of "gaffes". With the exception Clinton. Both of the Bush idiots and the present POS are an abomination to the legecy of America. Anyone remember Dannyboy Quall? Foot in his mouth during the first Bush idiocy. And I may add the first tenative steps at the fleecing of the country, (the S&L scandal). Followed by Enron and then the great fleecing of the subprime morgage con game. Ponzi had nothing on these criminals.
John Navratil| 10.11.12 @ 8:16AM
WaffenSS,
Do you remember Quayle's plan to reduce the size of the Federal government?
Joellen| 10.11.12 @ 9:18AM
WaffenSS "with the exception of Clinton". Surely that is your gaffe! Clinton who asked to define the word "is"; one of the orchestrators of Fannie/Mae mortgage con game; the one who re-educated the youth on what sex is and what it isnt. Gaffes are not the problem WaffenSS - LYING IS . Clintons, Biden, Obamas, truly epitomize the word "LIAR" to the hilt.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 11:08AM
His name is WaffenSS.
WAFFEN SS, Joellen.
What do you expect from him?
Then again, Johnny - Boobies Prize - Navritil seems to be smitten by Naziboy.
Interesting.
I wonder what Albert would think about all of this?
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 11:32AM
When I read that post earlier this morning, I couldn’t help but think “Why choose WaffenSS to post under? Was Totenkopf (Death’s Head) already taken?
Regarding the other question, I doubt that he was smitten, but sought a serious answer from a not so serious poster,[though, with regard to the Booby prize, Ich denke vielleicht Herr Navratil hat die Brueste gern (and I must concur, as they are among my favorite things, as well)].
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 3:58PM
Actually, it was Auschwitz Death Camp that was already taken.
Also taken were: Hitler's Crematoriums, The Final Solution, and Eva Braun's Penis.
I'm just sayin.
John II| 10.11.12 @ 12:56PM
Waffie's choice of nom de internet and the content of his/her/its post together prove beyond all reasonable doubt that bad spelling is a moral issue.
After 44 years of teaching, I am vindicated.
And now back to "Ball of Fire" (1944), in which Gary Cooper is rather miscast as an English professor who leads a team of scholars writing an encyclopedia. It's the only flick I know of in which the word "pleonasm" occurs, correctly used and accurately spelled.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 3:55PM
John II.
You may have already Won a Prize in Tomorrow's Contest.
But, you gotta be in it, to win it.
Tomorrow.
Hint - The Congressional Hearings on Benghazi.
Good Luck.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:13AM
Joe Biden is a Liberal. He doesn't KNOW anything. He's Never had a JOB in his life. That's something I would bring up in this debate.
I would ask the #1 Recipient of Credit Card Company largesse, why he sided with the Credit Card Companies over the American People, when it came to Bankruptcy Laws?
I would ask him if he realizes that JOBS has 4 letters in it and not 3.
I would ask him if he thought that his Vote to Stab the South Vietnamese in the back, by Cutting of the Arms that we PROMISED THEM so they could Defend themselves from the Vietcong, was the right thing to do.
I would ask him if he thought that his Votes against Putting Medium Range Nuclear Missiles in Germany to Counteract the Medium Range Nukes that the Soviets placed in the Warsaw Pact Nations, was the right thing to do.
I would ask him of he thought that Criminalizing giving Aid to Anti-Communist Rebels in Nicaragua was the right way to go.
I would ask about his Votes against Greneda, Panama and the First Gulf War when Saddam Hussein had Invaded Kuwait.
His complete 180 on the Second Iraq War, after having Voted TWICE for a Resolution to Use Force against Saddam Hussein, when things got tough.
Last Wednesday, we saw what a Good Man - An Accomplished Man - can do when pitted against a former Street Hustling Stepin Fetch it, for a Crooked Political Machine.
Tonight we find out if a Good Man - A Man with Good Solid Beliefs - can win a Debate with Stepin Fetchit's Fool.
CJW| 10.11.12 @ 7:52AM
Ryan should discuss the Benghazi coverup by bringing up Obama's repeated lies, especially on Letterman, that the video caused the attack.
There was no demonstration at Benghazi, it was a planned attack. Yet they lied for weeks to cover it up.
Biden will not know how to answer and may blurt out the truth. Biden thinks he is smart and can BS his way through the debate.
Von Mises Jr| 10.11.12 @ 8:06AM
Ryan should also point out that Biden was tapped allegedly for his foreign policy experience. So why did he and Barry OUTSOURCE security at the Consulate to Libyan insurgents?
The most recent revelations include the fact that Libyan authorities refused to allow armed military or security from outside their country. Shrillery (where is the old gal?) acquiesced. The Consulate requested more security including barbed wire enclosure, but the State Department declined their requests and told them "STOP ASKING."
Barry and Old Joe aroused emotion about Romney OUTSOURCING at Bain Capital. Now we find out that Barry and Old Joe OUTSOURCED the security of the United States.
CJW| 10.11.12 @ 8:18AM
Hillary is familiar with coverups given her experience with Bubba, but it is not working here because four Americans died.
That is a good point, raise Biden's supposed foreign policy experience, and ask him what caused the attack on Benghazi. He will ramble.
This is more important and timely than another gloomy numbers debate on Medicare. We know about Medicare. Hit Biden on Benghazi. Biden is expecting another Medicare and budget debate.
Pastor T.J. Johnson| 10.11.12 @ 11:17AM
Can't we be more Christian in our comments. The anger here would make Jesus weep.
And please--let us be a little more compassionate to the poor in our midst, who need assistance--the kind of assistance our current president has made possible.
In the name of Jesus, I pray for all of you and thank you for considering my humble request.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 11:43AM
The anger here is akin to Jesus' anger when he saw the moneychangers at the temple. The people's house has been defiled by this pair of charlatans, and will hopefully be righteously cleansed by the people on November 6. If that fails, we may be calling for more of God's help.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 4:08PM
Thank You Albert, for saying what needed to be said.
If there was ever an Analogy of the Moneychangers at the Temple?
It's this buncha Ccksckrs, in this Ccksckr's Administration.
This is NOT THE TIME, Pastor, to Turn The Other Cheek.
We're facing Pure Evil, here, in case you haven't noticed.
Stkman| 10.11.12 @ 11:44AM
Pastor Johnson,
We are compassionate towards the poor. However we no longer have compassion for those that would take from the poor, the sick, the handicapped, our children and this nation. We are fed up with handouts that go to those who simply refuse to better their own situations in life. We are fed up seeing those who would defraude the taxpayers of this country when those same taxpayers are having difficulty supporting their own families because they play by the rules and live like Christians.
Thank you for praying for us, we would ask that you also pray for President Obama and that he has a nice retirement starting in January. We would also ask that you pray to God for his divine intervention so that Mitt Romney capture 100% of the vote, and the God's hand guide Obama's hand to pull that Republican lever.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 4:14PM
GOD, HIMSELF, has basically said to HIS children: "You don't Work? You don't Eat."
JESUS said: "If you give a man a Fish? He'll eat for a day. If you TEACH A MAN TO FISH? He'll eat for a lifetime.
This Ceasar intends to ENSLAVE us all.
Capiche?
Von Mises Jr| 10.11.12 @ 11:49AM
Pastor Johnson, while I am a Church going man, forgives me if I think you may be an imposter. Our trolls Perp and D'red communist have gone into hiding. You are not one of them, are you???
Since you are a man of the cloth, where can we find your Church website? I am doing you a favor helping you with free advertizing and the ability to proselytize.
Dave Williams| 10.11.12 @ 12:01PM
Sorry, but with all due respect, what compassion did the left ever show Bush? Don't forget, they made a movie depicting, as realistically as they could, his ASSASSINATION...and let's not forget the constant comparisons to Hitler, either.
Nope. These people are vicious, and their ideas are dangerous. Playing nicey-nicey with them has gotten our country to its current parlous state, and NO MORE. They have earned every bit of nastiness that comes their way, and then some.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 4:15PM
Contest, tomorrow, Dave.
You sound like a Natural.
Look for it.
John II| 10.11.12 @ 1:20PM
The last time I looked at the Gospels, I happened on two events in which the evangelist records the outbursts of a righteously angry Jesus.
One had to do with corrupting children (He doesn't address the topic of murdering children in the womb--but those of us with a heart and an IQ higher than 96 know what conclusions to draw); the other had to do with hypocrisy, and from the Lord's frequent divine rants on that topic we get the term "pharisaism."
Well--okay, He REALLY got ticked off with the future leader of His Church when Peter rejected His predictions about being arrested and tortured and judicially murdered.
Jesus is God, Pastor. And God is not a sentimentalist.
And now back to "The Passion of the Christ" (2004), a film that predictably offended the sensibilities of Christians who think of Jesus as a sweet milksop given to selective indignation regarding matters of social justice.
R. Sutton| 10.11.12 @ 3:46PM
Mr. John II,
\I don't think Jesus was a selfish, hateful rightwinger like yourself.
Jesus was everything rightwingers hate. He was antiestablishment, a champion of the poor and oppressed, and called for "Peace on earth and good will toward men."
Praise the Lord!
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 4:17PM
When asked by a man, about The Poor, JESUS said: "The Poor will always be among us."
Or, did you forget that one?
John II| 10.11.12 @ 4:51PM
Whaddaya mean, "was"? He rose from the dead, remember?
Nah--Jesus ain't no smug milksop. He's a tough hombre. I mean--dude, he's the Lord. He kicks ass. He even told a story about some moron liberal who got his necktie buttered for squirreling away his talent.
He preached love and mercy and sensible investment options. His earliest followers (cf. Letters of James and Paul) said that if you don't work you don't eat, that if you don't really, really NEED help don't ask for it, that the law is absolute and inscribed on every human heart, that buggering is an affront against nature and nature's God, that all sin is a form of idol-worship, that inflationary economic policies are sinful as well as idiotic, that the family is the true unit of the social order--not the narcissist lefty individual and surely not the State.
Jesus is everything we rightwingers love, and He pours His bounty on us like a true supply-sider!
Praise the Lord indeed!
R. Sutton? Is that you, Purp?
R. Sutton| 10.11.12 @ 5:49PM
What's wrong, John II?
Swollen prostate problems again?
Stop grinding your teeth. Stop it right now. You will have plenty of time for gnashing at the teeth after the November election.
R. Sutton| 10.11.12 @ 5:51PM
I laugh out loud at the thought of you and the other geezers on here shitting yourselves after the votes are counted.
Wishing all of you at AmSpec a Happy Halloween!
John II| 10.11.12 @ 6:28PM
Purp?
Big Bob| 10.11.12 @ 2:03PM
This is very creative. If people are NOT Christian, why should they act like one, more or less? If we ARE Christians, why would Jesus weep? The president is supposed to be employed by WE THE PEOPLE. Instead, he is at war with us. Did you ever read how Jesus treated the Pharisees? Because it appears you are not familiar with his reactions. You might want to review those stories in the Gospels.
Occam's Tool| 10.11.12 @ 9:07PM
Nope. Anger is acceptable when one sees little girls beheaded because of the path the Obamination has chosen in foreign policy.
Our current President has increased the number of the poor and made them more hopeless. Suicides now exceed auto accidents as a cause of death among those in the 25 year old age range.
Sorry, Pastor, but this Democtratic Party booed G-d and Jerusalem. Somehow, I don't think that would sit well with Joshua ben Joseph.
Occam's Tool| 10.11.12 @ 9:07PM
Sorry, misspelled Democratic.
Joellen| 10.11.12 @ 11:11PM
Well Pastor after listening to Biden this evening I believe JESUS is truly weeping now. This allege Catholic claims it is more important for a woman and her doctor to "choose" whether a child shall live - well Pastor where is that compassion you are crying out for in regards to the unborn? As for your comment the kind of assistance "your" current president has made possible, pray tell just how has he done that? Just by that comment I would have to discern that you might be either deceived or a deceiver. Either way, I trust and hope in JESUS not in this man and his servent (Biden) who makes a mockery of all that is good and decent. And if you detect any anger in my comments - well you detect right. I am angry that a Mother still is waiting for answers as to why her son was murdered by terrorist and "your" president, vp and his administration LIED and tried and blame it on a bogus video. I am angry that this man continues to spend money that he has NEVER EARNED and steals from those who have and then slams them for earning it. I am angry that this party is the party of death and then have to read a request from a so called Pastor to be more Christian. Sorry Pastor, my anger will not go away till this party of destruction goes away. I would advise you to start going on websites that might help you re-learn your faith - please try ChurchMilitant.tv. You'll learn alot.
tankrtrash| 10.11.12 @ 11:44PM
Rest assured Joellen, Biden came across like a smirking baboon... trust in the American people, they know a rainbowed asshole when they see one.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 8:15AM
Biden has generally been able to rely on an unlevel playing field to prevail in any contest. whether it is cheating in law school, or berate nominees from his elevated chairmanships on the Senate floor. In a fair fight, he pretty much loses every time.
CJW| 10.11.12 @ 8:21AM
For the Bork hearings, Biden hired a law professor to teach him Constitutional Law, and write questions for him. For the Thomas nomination, he mildly berated a nun who testified for Thomas. Biden is scum.
Talk to you later, off to Butler, Pa for hearings.
Cobalt| 10.11.12 @ 11:06AM
How do people like Biden and Obama pass the bar exam?
Just incredible.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 11:40AM
Cobalt;
The Bar Exam in Delaware is fairly difficult. There used to be a rule that if you took and failed it three times, you were out, and couldn’t apply again. After Biden’s son Beau (Joseph Robinette Biden III, for those keeping score at home) failed it repeatedly, they changed the law so that you could continue to take it until you passed. Eventually he passed it, and a couple of years later (2006) was elected Attorney General of Delaware. How’s that for a meritocracy?
Cobalt| 10.11.12 @ 12:12PM
Amazing.
The Bidens could be the new Kennedys.
John II| 10.11.12 @ 1:36PM
Was Beau the one who introduced the old man at the Demo convention with the strangely forced comment about how proud he is of his dad?
It just seemed off. I have several sons who treat me with a great deal of warmth and affection, but they would never say something like that about me in a public forum.
When such sentiments are genuine, they go unspoken . . . you just know when your sons are proud of you, you feel unworthy of it, and you don't expect or want them to say so publicly.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 2:22PM
Yes, it was Beau who did the intro. He has been a disaster as an AG (He ran on a platform that the AG is responsible for increases in violent crime, and homicide in the city of Wilmington has exploded under his watch, somewhere per capita between Detroit and Baltimore in 2010).
Unlike his father, he is a lawyer in the National Guard, and served a tour in Iraq while he was AG. He has also (like his father), suffered a stroke while in office, though he is in his early 40s.
Despite the stroke, though, they had to use Beau, because even with his poor record, he was the best choice. The other son Hunter has been tied into a number of sleazy financial deals (along with his Uncle, whom I believe is the VPOTUS' brother), and the daughter reportedly has a recent history of cocaine abuse, which would likely be dredged up again if either appeared on so high profile a stage with a speaking role.
Cobalt| 10.11.12 @ 3:58PM
Looks like the younger Bidens might want to keep out of the public eye for a while, and just quitely hide out Greenville.
Cobalt| 10.11.12 @ 5:22PM
"in Greenville"
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 4:23PM
So, they ARE the Kennedys
Occam's Tool| 10.11.12 @ 9:10PM
The stroke may have affected his speaking style, although I have never found brain damage to damage the cognitive skill of the majority of attorneys I know.
Occam's Tool| 10.11.12 @ 9:08PM
'Cause it ain't Medicine. It's law.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 11:36AM
CJW;
When I last saw the original “Night of the Living Dead” nearly 30 years ago, I remember the Sheriff of Butler County’s famous “Beat ‘em and Burn ‘em” line about how to defeat the zombies. Hopefully, Ryan will have that tactic in his playbook tonight when debating the second in command of the horde.
CJW| 10.11.12 @ 3:34PM
Albert,
Good memory.Good advice. Obama is on the ropes. Ryan should go for the knockout, press Joey about the lies and coverup over the four dead Americans. Forget Medicare and SS, we all know it is in trouble. Push Joey on his alleged foreign policy expertise and he will say something stupid.
Today I learned that Whitey Ford pitched for a minor league team in Butler early in his career.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 4:24PM
You might wanna save that one for Tomorrow.
tankrtrash| 10.11.12 @ 8:27AM
What are the odds that Martha Raddatz will steer the debate away from Libya or any of the other associated with this administration?
DTOM| 10.11.12 @ 8:51AM
She may end up being as effective as Jim La'er was last week.
Biden's problem, Paul Ryan knows the entire budget thing inside and out - Biden dare not ask any detailed questions for fear that Ryan will know the answer and present him with a detailed question in return, a question that Biden will muff and then Paul Ryan can politely correct him on.
Ryan comes across as a very sincere, well-meaning, well informed regular guy. Something that Joe Biden thinks he is, but clearly is not. It will show this evening, big time.
DTOM
PS Anybody notice that Jim Lehrer showed up on Hannity's show earlier this week. Obviously Juan Williams and Alan Colmes have clued Jim in on where he can maybe get some work, after his failure last week to win the debate for our littlest president...DTOM
Anthony| 10.11.12 @ 9:46AM
How dare you impune the impartiality of this solid professional journalist.
"Oh, Vice-President Biden, sir, will you hand this thank you note to President Obama for his thoughtful wedding gift? I know it's a tad late, but I've been busy doing the Party's bidding. Best of luck tonight, I'm rooting for you, and here are your questions in advance".
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 11:11AM
That depends.
What did Gay Bathhouse Boy give her as a Wedding Gift?
tankrtrash| 10.11.12 @ 6:18PM
Perhaps a pair of fishnets, a nice string of ben-wah balls and a gerbil jacked on Redbull
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:03PM
More likely, a Strap on for Her, and the Fishnets for Him.
tankrtrash| 10.11.12 @ 7:08PM
Why am I thinking this could be a Christmas song???
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:05PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
Look for it.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 4:24PM
100%.
Mars the Avenger| 10.11.12 @ 7:37AM
Tim, you never lack for words, and always say what most of us think. Biden must be utterly crushed, no two ways about it, just like his boss was. The stakes are too high. No prisoners, no mercy.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:04PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
Look for it.
tankrtrash| 10.11.12 @ 8:19AM
Least we forget, Plugs' plagiarism of British Labour's Neil Kinnock that abruptly ended his presidential aspirations.
He is a party hack's party hack, incapable of an original thought, the quintessential poster child for term limits.
Stkman| 10.11.12 @ 11:47AM
I've been wondering why this hasn't been brought up. Let's hope it it gets brought up again and again and again.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:07PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
Look for it.
Von Mises Jr| 10.11.12 @ 8:28AM
Great article, but I would just draw one distinction regarding Mr. Lord's insinuation that liberals are pacifist. Liberals are only pacifist when the enemy is other socialist they like.
Hayek's "Socialism and War," Rothbard's "War collectivism" and selected writings of Von Mises make very clear that socialism requires aggression since the inefficiencies of central planning wreak havoc and misery, and they later argue that a central planned economy worked so well in war that it should be extended in peacetime.
Wilson lied during re-election then went to war. FDR cut off oil to Japan involving us in WWII. Kennedy and LBJ increased involvement in Vietnam. Clinton bombed several countries and Obama under the guise of "promoting democracy" has enflamed the Middle East while increasing drone attacks on foreign soil three to four times.
By contrast, Nixon began the withdrawal from Vietnam, Reagan won the Cold War without a shot, G.H.W. Bush ejected Saddam from Kuwait but quickly withdrew, and G.W. Bush only followed a war doctrine to retaliate for 911.
So the point is that a guy like "Bite Me" only is a pacifist when the target is other socialist they approve of.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:08PM
Contest, Tomorrow Millionaire.
Look for it.
And, NO, you can't mix and Match the Prizes.
Kwan| 10.11.12 @ 9:18AM
Under closer analysis we can see that Biden's attack-dog demagoguery is an attempt to convince the citizenry that any policy put forth by a conservative is without value, no matter that the policy is completely logical and of benefit to the United States. This is essentially the MSM and the Democrat Party's attack strategy, to demonize any and all conservative ideas while promoting illogical leftist idiocy, that has led to our current economic stagnation and Middle East screw-ups. Biden is a traitor whose stock-in-trade is the Big Lie, which is the essence of any Biden rant-n-rave speech delivered before an audience of drooling, slack-jawed morons, dumb enough to waste their time listening to this fool.
Anthony| 10.11.12 @ 9:35AM
Biteme, the Delaware village idiot and bully is only a tough guy when behind the dais of a Senate hearing room, replete with legislative immunity and a bully pulpit.
He is a coward and an intellectual fraud. His phalanx of taxpayer paid sycophants aides, like Ted Kennedy's, feed him questions and try to keep this moron from making even more of a fool of himself.
Dante's symbolic retribution would dictate cowards and bullies like him get kicked and bloodied like the vermin that they are for all of eternity.
David T| 10.11.12 @ 10:19AM
Thanks, Mr. Lord, for another interesting and informative piece.
Way back in the Bush (41) Administration, I attended a Capitol Hill hearing on an issue I've long since forgotten. But I do remember Biden with his hair plugs and his perfectly tailored pin-stripped suit strutting around like the cock of the walk. I knew little about the man at the time, but I couldn't help thinking that here was a politician in the worst sense of the word.
Anthony| 10.11.12 @ 10:57AM
"Cock of the walk", I like it. No matter what synonym one uses, Biden is a dick.
Occam's Tool| 10.11.12 @ 9:13PM
Anthony, thou virtuous solon, I predict Biden will be destroyed in the first 10 minutes.
RCV| 10.12.12 @ 4:13PM
Fraid it didn't happen Occam. Not by a long shot.
PolishKnight| 10.11.12 @ 11:04AM
If there's one thing I have learned about leftists in my life is that they're all basically still in adolescence and crave acceptance and enjoy being a bully. They're also part sociopath who pride themselves on their wits and ability to fool others and to bluster their way through legitimate observations or even emotional appeals to their humanity. They like to think they are leftists because they're building a better world and stopping "evil" Republicans or opponents but the reality is that they just like feeling smart and superior and dehumanizing others.
In many ways, they remind me of the stereotypical witch hunting Christians of the middle ages. And of course, they are masters of projecting their behavior onto others and crying "McCarthyism!" that they're being stifled while screaming "racist!" at the slightest dissent.
I think winning against them means pushing their buttons. They're obviously driven by ego and a need to dominate and when someone is driven by subconscious reasons, you just need to steer it off a cliff. The problem is that by doing so, you can't stay their "friend" which is why I don't argue politics anymore with friends. I know I won't change their minds (I can only humiliate and discredit them in front of others) so it's not worth it. And that's the fundamental conundrum of being a conservative politician: You need to work with these folks but "winning" means really beating them. You can't let your guard down.
JmsA| 10.11.12 @ 3:20PM
Good post, PK.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 4:26PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
Who Knows?| 10.11.12 @ 11:20AM
Just think!
Joe Biden is vice president, a heartbeat away…..
America is BIDEN its time, while chaos continues to do its dirty work, from within and out.
Remember that old saw, from the cold war, about how the Soviets will always stick their “bayonet” into the weakest spots?
Who would have ever believed that the soft underbelly of America would be in the ---White House?
Life is theater---at least ol Joe gets THAT.
While might ALWAYS makes right, what we have in Biden is consistent, pacifist and lawyerly MIGHT NOT. That is, he is the essence of the naysayers AND the two year old child, just saying NO.
Reality has three aspects. Create-sustain-destroy, or begin-continue-end, or conception-living-death, etc.
Biden and his ilk are simply practitioners of the destroyer. Whether consciously, or not, their whole reason for being is to bring to an end X---and, whatever Republicans stand for, they stand for annihilating.
There is one fatal flaw in such people. They don’t TRULY know their enemy. Extremists can’t really understand their opponents, so they are unable to grasp why other people might prefer them.
What a load of miscommunication there is today!
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:09PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
Look for it.
Kingofthenet| 10.11.12 @ 12:59PM
Biden is gonna rip Lying Ryan a new one, it's going to be EPIC!
Simon Templar| 10.11.12 @ 1:08PM
Most liberals find him to be an embarrassment and a liability. Just what is your problem besides being a zombie troll?
Lying Ryan? Please say what you want but do not talk about lying. Benghazi.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 2:31PM
King, the history of incest in the royal bloodline is being revealed once again by your congenital idiocy. While I make no prediction on how tonight's debate will turn out, I continue to shake my head at the inanity of almost everything you manage to post.
Drunken Sailor| 10.11.12 @ 2:49PM
You mean you actually read his post? Shame on you Albert, your time is much too valuable to be wasting it like that.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 3:10PM
So many of the usual lefty trolls have been absent for the last couple of days, as if Media Matters was forced to send out its layoff notices early, as Soros was switching his cash to TV ads in battleground states.
In the case of Kingofthenuts, I think he writes his bizarre comments without cash compensation, and he's even more unintentionally amusing after he's been drinking.
Afterall, every village needs an idiot, and I choose the one with the cardboard crown.
Drunken Sailor| 10.11.12 @ 3:45PM
Might I suggest a harlequin 3 point jester hat instead? He certainly resembles a Buffon, the root of which is thought to be Buffare. Italian for "to puff out ones cheeks". I'll leave it to your discretion to decide which cheeks this referes to.
John II| 10.11.12 @ 3:50PM
Yes, I was wondering where Purp had gone. I seem to recall telling him a week or two ago that, no matter who wins next month, he's out of a job after November 6--given the Professor's reliable track record of dumping whomever he no longer has any political use for.
He made no response to my arguably snarky observation. Maybe I misjudged Purp. Maybe he's already pounding the pavement in anticipation of the inevitable pink slip. Maybe he's one of those extremely rare Lefties who think a little about consequences.
Anyhow, thanks for the dope on the Biden clan, Al. Why am I not surprised? Why can't liberal-left politicians find some other, more discreet and dignified way to play out their personal failings except in public spectacle?
Now that I'm on the topic, why doesn't it rain beer either?
In order to watch tonight's debate, I'll have to skip an episode of "NCIS." A very painful sacrifice, but . . . there it is.
Nick| 10.11.12 @ 7:37PM
If it was Friday, you could offer it up as penance, John II. Too bad.
Don't you have a DVR? Or a VCR?
Nick| 10.11.12 @ 6:26PM
You're delusional KooK.
Meanwhile....
On the eve of the USS Cole anniversary, a U.S. embassy guard was murdered today in Yemen.
Yeah, the O'Bama regime is really concerned about the security of the American people.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:10PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
(I've got my money on you, bye the way.)
Nick| 10.11.12 @ 7:35PM
Thanks, Mr. Pennell, I'll do my best.
Sorry that I didn't get to comment on last week's results. My dad took a spill on some concrete and banged-up his arm, knee, wrist, and hip.
No broken bones, Praise the Lord!
Just scrapes and bruises.
My dad can take a fall better at 70 than I can at 45!
Anyway, I had to take him to get x-rays on Saturday, and have been taking care of him all week. Leaving less time for comments, of course.
But, he's feeling much better, so, I should be able to follow tomorrow's contest entries, and, comment accordingly.
p.s. Do you like how I can make words into links? I'll try to work that into my entry, tomorrow.
Simon Templar| 10.11.12 @ 1:01PM
Listen to what Reagan said, "he is smooth."
Biden will play the clown and play it in a way in which he humorously continues to point out that Ryan is young and inexperienced and just a bit too serious to be taken seriously. He will not deal with facts but will continue to distract with demagoguery and quips. My hope is that the Ryan team will be prepared and be prepared with a counter strategy. Do not take this as an easy win. Biden been fooling people and playing this game all his life.
TLP| 10.11.12 @ 7:11PM
Contest, Tomorrow.
Look for it.
HBowen| 10.11.12 @ 2:51PM
Wildly accosting the adversary in American politics is expected. A citizen in the United States can get a complete falsification of a political news story, particularly controversial ones, by only listening to what the other side of the political fence has to say about it. As a person who lives in a Democrat dominated city, Portland, OR, the degree of hatred and scorn exhibited by the dems against my newly coined "republicrat" stance, like in all cities lately, is scary. Ignorant bigotry is rampant amoung the 6 o'clock news-ladies crowd.
Hardcard| 10.11.12 @ 3:37PM
pastor johnson is that like reverend al sharptongue. The Lord weeps at the desruction of His creation, abortions by the tens of millions, immorality run amuck, same sex marriages, moslems burning churchs and killing Christians,abomination of the sexs.
PolishKnight| 10.11.12 @ 4:07PM
I was thinking of the article about Biden yesterday regarding the Clark nomination where Biden viciously attacks Clark and Biden later tells him "no hard feelings." I posted the below comment there but it's appropriate here too:
I was thinking about this Biden's comment to Clark "No hard feelings" after he had just done his best to attack Clark's reputation. It's a shocking thing to say and it's no wonder that Clark was at a loss for words. After a day to come up with a "the jerk store called and they're running out of you!" response, here goes:
Saying "no hard feelings" makes it worse. For Biden.
In a debate, for example, where the stakes are high and the lines are drawn, it's understandable, albeit perhaps dishonorable, to attack viciously and disingenuously. But in this case, there was NO REASON for him to do so. The Clark confirmation was a shoe-in. Everyone liked him. But Biden just decided to be mean because _that's who he is_. If he had "no hard feelings", then he was being cruel and vindictive simply for the sake of it.
Biden is like a child burning up ants on the sidewalk with a magnifying glass except he does this with human beings. A sociopath. He treats humans like an animal control worker puts puppies to sleep except BIDEN ENJOYS IT. Be very very careful...
Nick| 10.11.12 @ 6:09PM
I was thinking the same thing, yesterday, when I read that article, PolishKnight.
I hope that Paul Ryan's practice sessions included an effective come-back, if O'Biden tries that garbage tonight.
If Joe Jackass pulls something like, "Who is the prime minister of Botswana," Ryan should ask him, "Can you name the prime minister of Eritrea, Kiribati, or Nauru?"
Wouldn't you love to see that?
Jack in Wi| 10.11.12 @ 10:32PM
Who won the debate? I didn't have time to watch it.
John II| 10.11.12 @ 10:55PM
Ryan, of course. The only viewers who count now are the so-called undecideds. And Biden was decidedly unpleasant.
Even his own misstatements and distortions were obscured by his distractingly obnoxious manner: I stopped counting his snarky smirks and contemptuous interruptions when I reached 50 in fewer than 30 minutes.
November 6 can't get here soon enough.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 11:36PM
Now I think I know where Purp went, he's been in debate prep this week. Biden's demeanor was like Purp's: obnoxious, interruptive and devoid of most meaningful facts, and full of blustering rhetoric.
Joellen| 10.11.12 @ 11:33PM
Ryan won. He was smooth, classy, factual and when Obama's lacky (the unbias reporter, whose wedding Obama attended) and Biden didnt interupt him, got his points across. Anyone who watched this debate truly saw what a low, guttural, shiftless, (whatever I leave out I am sure TIM will fill in later) creature Joe Biden is. He and his master, Obama, truly have lowered the standards of class that I truly thought couldnt go lower after Clinton. I was wrong.
Kingofthenet| 10.11.12 @ 11:26PM
When Joe said, I and my Church have certain views, but we aren't going to impose them on you....BEST THING EVER in a debate.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.11.12 @ 11:40PM
"When Joe said, I and my Church have certain views, but we aren't going to impose them on you."
What do you mean "we", pale face?_Tonto
Joe has been trying to impose his views on others for 40 years, and has not been in sync with the views of the Catholic Church for any of them. I particularly enjoyed his hypocrisy when he talked about how he follows the Catholic doctrine on social welfare, but his own tax returns reveal he gives less than 1 % of his income to charity.
Kingofthenet| 10.12.12 @ 12:11AM
Well to be be fair to Joe, he doesn't pay LESS than 13% like Mittens. it's easy to be generous when you start at that rate....
tankrtrash| 10.11.12 @ 11:55PM
When Joe was talking about his "church'', he was talking about the one in his pants pocket.. just under his keys ... with the little steeple and the jingle-bells.
Bar-none the most empty-headed horse's ass on the planet .
RCV| 10.12.12 @ 12:52AM
Sorry, guys, but Ryan came across as a lost puppy. Together withe release of his "workout photos" in the backward cap (possibly the worst politician photo since Dukakis in the tank), he looked utterly unqualified to be anywhere near the oval office. Biden wiped the floor with him, and reinvigorated the Democratic base.
ReaganConservative| 10.12.12 @ 2:10AM
President Reagan nailed Biden on the head for what he was, and still is !
The point of Biden's mission in this so called debate, was to embarrass, humiliate, mock, and otherwise use every Saul Alinsky radical political trick in the book, to publically destroy Paul Ryan, to bully him, to mock him, to humiliate him, to intimidate him, ie; what Biden is all about and good at- public character assassination.. Along with the toxic obnoxious fumes emanating from Joe Biden, like stink from a dead carcass.. This is what Biden is good at with 40 years of experience.. Thus Biden did not come to the debate to win an intellectual debate of substance.. The question is, did he succeed.. The answer is no..
VP debates have never determined Presidential outcomes, and this one will be no different.
RCV| 10.12.12 @ 11:11AM
Clearly he did succeed, reading through your answer. That's why you're so upset.
Alej| 10.13.12 @ 12:27PM
Watch the news much ? Ryan's detailed knowledge of economics, articulated when he wasn't being interrupted by Biteme or Rat'sAss, is barely covered.
99 % of discussion about the debate has been of the crude, childish, and totally unbecoming performance your hero gave.
He's now a confirmed laughingstock throughout the nation.