"BUNCH OF STUFF"

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My favorite line of the entire Vice-Presidential Debate was when Joe Biden uttered “that’s a bunch of stuff.”  Give Martha Raddatz credit for trying her best to follow-up with Mean Joe.  She must have been hoping that the Vice-President was going to say what he really meant when he said, “that’s a bunch of stuff.”  Martha didn’t get lucky but it did give Joe Biden the opportunity to zero in on the inconsistencies being put forth by Mitt Romney’s surrogate, Paul Ryan. 

It was a good debate and Martha Raddatz did a credible job moderating it.  She let them spar when appropriate.  Both candidates did their best to put forth their respective views pointing out their marked differences.  All in all, it was a positive for both parties and their candidates.  However, it was clear on Friday that all the post-debate talk was about Joe Biden.  Everyone was talking about his smiling, laughing and his overall body language throughout the debate.  They were also commenting on his stepping on Paul Ryan’s lines and interjecting his voice on top of both Ryan and Raddatz.

Joe Biden did what President Obama needed him to do.  He was Joe Biden, the seasoned veteran of  the Senate who minces few words and finds it difficult to sit still for any of the nonsense around him.  Everyone agreed that Joe Biden stopped the bleeding for the President.  For me, I believe Joe took it even one step further.  I believe he set the stage for the remainder of the campaign pointing succinctly to what it is that President Obama, the Vice-President and his most potent weapon, President Bill Clinton will be communicating to the voters of the undecided battleground states.    

Tax cuts, Medicare, Social Security and the 47 percent will dominate the discussion for the Democrats as they push toward Election Day.  If Obama can make a credible argument over the next three weeks about the difference between him and Romney on tax cuts, the election will be his.  I believe it is that simple.  He needs to stay on message and focus entirely on the middle class argument he has been making.  It is this argument that is effective and compelling and ultimately can win the election for him. 

Framing the tax cut issue with Paul Ryan’s Medicare proposals and the continuing conversation of privatizing Social Security are all winners for the President.  Throw in the 47 percent comments made by Mitt Romney and the small number of uncommitted middle class voters will fall the President’s way.  My guess is that President Obama will find a way to tie Romney back to the 47 percent comments.  I believe Romney said exactly what he meant to say and Obama needs to convince the American voter if Romney is elected, his administration will not consider the 47 percent.

I am still convinced that this election is President Obama’s to lose.  Polls always tighten as the election nears and it seems unlikely that one less than sterling debate performance could alter the outcome.  Nevertheless, I suspect we will see an engaged and committed President of the United States in this coming week’s debate.