Biden fires up base as he mocks Ryan by smirking through debate... but 'condescending' manner could put off swing voters
Vice President Joe Biden mockingly
smiled, wagged his finger and couldn't seem to stop interrupting
Republican running mate Paul Ryan.
'With all due respect, that's a bunch of malarkey,' Biden said at one point, during an exchange on foreign policy.
Democrats cheered his sharp tone in the only vice presidential debate. Republicans panned the vice president as disrespectful to his younger opponent.
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Biden's aggressive approach
stood in stark contrast to President Barack Obama's listless - and
widely panned - turn on the debate stage last week.
Obama, to the dismay of his supporters, clenched his jaw, looked down at his notes and held back his criticism of Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
While Biden went after him, Ryan settled on a smirk for much of the debate - his first on the national stage. He sipped water and cleared his throat through many of Biden's answers.
Voters watching at home were able to view Biden's smile and Ryan's smirk side-by-side, with most television networks broadcasting the debate on a split screen.
Early on in the wide-ranging debate on domestic and foreign policy issues, Biden leaned back his chair and gave a big grin, often audibly chuckling at Ryan. His laughter sparked a new Twitter handle called 'LaughinJoeBiden.'
But as the 90-minute debate pressed on, the vice president became increasingly agitated.
He wagged his finger at moderator Martha Raddatz. His smile sometimes faded into a scowl.
And walking a fine line between being aggressive and domineering, Biden started interrupting.
'Not mathematically possible,' he interjected during a discussion on the budget.
But Biden didn't seem to like it much when Raddatz turned the tables on him, cutting him off during an exchange on unemployment: he spread his hands incredulously, leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed.
By the end, Biden had turned serious as he talked about his Catholic faith and other issues.
So how did it play? The early reviews appeared split by party.
Republican strategist Karen Hanretty wrote on Twitter that Ryan gave Biden the 'let the crazy uncle speak his mind at Thanksgiving dinner' look.
But Massachusetts Democratic Senator John Kerry, also taking to Twitter, thought Biden was so convincing that 'by the end of this, Ryan may vote for Joe.'
The conservative group 'Campaign To Defeat Obama' quickly sought to raise money off Biden's 'rude and arrogant' performance, sending a fundraising email to supporters asking for contributions.
Obama campaign manager Jim Messina retorted: 'When the other side is talking about eye rolls and smirks they are losing the debate.'
'With all due respect, that's a bunch of malarkey,' Biden said at one point, during an exchange on foreign policy.
Democrats cheered his sharp tone in the only vice presidential debate. Republicans panned the vice president as disrespectful to his younger opponent.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Smiling: Vice President Joe Biden smirking throughout the debate, an echo of Al Gore's 2000 performance
Jostling Joe: Joe Biden showed a spirit President Barack Obama lacked in the presidential debate
Obama, to the dismay of his supporters, clenched his jaw, looked down at his notes and held back his criticism of Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
While Biden went after him, Ryan settled on a smirk for much of the debate - his first on the national stage. He sipped water and cleared his throat through many of Biden's answers.
Voters watching at home were able to view Biden's smile and Ryan's smirk side-by-side, with most television networks broadcasting the debate on a split screen.
Early on in the wide-ranging debate on domestic and foreign policy issues, Biden leaned back his chair and gave a big grin, often audibly chuckling at Ryan. His laughter sparked a new Twitter handle called 'LaughinJoeBiden.'
But as the 90-minute debate pressed on, the vice president became increasingly agitated.
Gesticulating: Biden was undoubtedly more active with his motions than his Republican counterpart
Smirk: Biden's antics bemused his opponent throughout the debate
And walking a fine line between being aggressive and domineering, Biden started interrupting.
'Not mathematically possible,' he interjected during a discussion on the budget.
But Biden didn't seem to like it much when Raddatz turned the tables on him, cutting him off during an exchange on unemployment: he spread his hands incredulously, leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed.
By the end, Biden had turned serious as he talked about his Catholic faith and other issues.
Differing approaches: A number of fake Twitter
accounts emerged during the debate due to the frequency with which Biden
punctuated Ryan's (right) remarks with a sly smirk
Rubbing off: Though his were not quite as dramatic, Ryan also broke a small smile
Republican strategist Karen Hanretty wrote on Twitter that Ryan gave Biden the 'let the crazy uncle speak his mind at Thanksgiving dinner' look.
But Massachusetts Democratic Senator John Kerry, also taking to Twitter, thought Biden was so convincing that 'by the end of this, Ryan may vote for Joe.'
The conservative group 'Campaign To Defeat Obama' quickly sought to raise money off Biden's 'rude and arrogant' performance, sending a fundraising email to supporters asking for contributions.
Obama campaign manager Jim Messina retorted: 'When the other side is talking about eye rolls and smirks they are losing the debate.'
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