During the first debate, Obama responded to Willard's constant lies with a calm,
courteous and solemn demeanor. The serial liar got bolder as the debate went on and exploited the opening fully. Multiple Mitt's lies and Obama's passivity created an enthusiasm
gap that helped Romney come from behind in the polls -- with an added boost from low-information undecideds fooled into thinking
Romney's a moderate. Right-wingers loved it, and were suddenly happier than they'd been in weeks.
Regardless of what Fox News says, Biden's behavior last night wasn't bizarre. Biden's main job was to stop the bleeding among depressed Democrats. Mission accomplished. He
diminished Ryan's attacks by laughing at them and treating them with the
contempt they deserved. I'll bet the enthusiasm gap that helped Romney last
week is gone.
Biden's second duty was to correct public opinion on the Romney/Ryan agenda. His goal was to push Mini-Mitt out of the middle of the road and isolate him on the far right where he belongs. We'll see how women voters respond now that Ryan has clarified the Romney abortion agenda.
Biden's job was not to win undecided voters; that will be up to Obama in the two final debates. Obama's job should be easier now that Joe has done his job.
Conservatives realize that Biden was effective -- that's why they're doing damage control today, whining about how mean and disrespectful Biden was last night instead of talking about how terrific the cheesehead was.
