Joltin' Joe

Like legions of other Obama supporters, I watched last week's debate in a state of disbelief and major disappointment. I phoned my oldest son after the show was over and said, "Obama tanked." A former debater himself, Devin wasn't sure the president's performance had been that dismal. The way high school debating goes, you're scored on points and your arguments have to jibe with reality. Romney did a great job of reinventing himself as a moderate who isn't really out to slash Medicare, eliminate Planned Parenthood and let the middle class bear the burden of higher taxes. But we all know that dude doesn't square with the candidate who's been campaigning as a "severe conservative." And speaking of burdens, tonight the task of damage control and rebounding falls to Vice President Joe Biden.

A fighting Irishman, seasoned senator and loquacious pol, Biden has the edge on up and coming Paul Ryan, by virtue of his considerable experience. But if Ryan is as much of a workout nut as he's reputed to be, I've got a feeling he won't pull his punches. He's younger and therefore more ambitious, anxious to keep the GOP ticket's momentum going. Joe, on the other hand, has to undo the disrepair Obama's lackadaisical showing  dealt the Democrats. The two men come to the table with established weaknesses, the somewhat gaffe-prone Biden versus the I-don't-have time-to-explain-the-math budget fixer Ryan. If people really believe Sarah Palin won the veep debate four years ago, then the Kentucky Derby, as the pundits have dubbed it, is Biden's chance to shine. Palin didn't win the '08 round, she simply avoided falling on her face. Now it's time for Joltin' Joe to step up to the plate and knock it out of the park.

It's time to hit the Republicans with the 47% remarks, Bain Capital's questionable business tactics and Romney's unwillingness to release his tax returns. It's time to point out the flip-flopper and empty suit isn't fit to be president. Time to highlight the GOP's war on women, their free pass for Wall Street, their indifference to the plight of the poor. Joe has the bonafides to sock it to them and I hope he comes out swinging.