And the Sidekicks take a stab at the Debate

As many of you know, on Thursday the Vice Presidential candidates had the opportunity to strut their stuff at the debate in Kentucky. The candidates debated nine different issues throughout the heated 90 minute discussion.

The debate started with a current hot issue, the conflict in Libya. They opened debating rumored intelligence failures in the United States and how it affected the security of the ambassadors in Libya. Biden began this section of the debate by saying that the people behind these attacks will be apprehended and brought to justice. He then continued saying that the US government will correct the lapses made with intelligence gathering. Biden then said that since the President's most important job is protecting the nation and its people making the modification of errors made by the government  the administration's utmost concern. Biden then assured the people that Obama has lead with a steady hand and with a clear vision and will continue to work hard internationally if reelected.

Ryan echoed Biden saying that the Romney team mourns the loss that has resulted in Libya. However, Ryan argued that the Obama administration addressed the Libya conflict too late, waiting two weeks after it happened before addressing the outraged public. Ryan promoted having Marine security guard ambassadors in volatile countries where terrorist threats are evident. Ryan then stated that he believed the conflicts present in the Gaza Strip and Libya symbolize Obama's foreign policy failures and relations crumbling. Ryan said that the United States needs to stand up for the values of America and not allow foreign nations to infringe upon the rights of their citizens. He used this logic to assure the audience that Romney was opposed to cutting the defense budget if he were to take office.

Ryan was then asked if he thought Americans should apologize for offensive acts, like burning the Koran in Afghanistan. This question was born out of the fact that Romney wrote a book called No Apology: The Case for American Greatness, in which he writes that the US Army should be expanded to 100,000 Army soldiers and Marines with updated Nuclear weapons and defense systems. With this knowledge, Ryan said that we should apologize for the poor behavior of some of the soldiers in the Middle East who acted offensively, but that we should not apologize for the American values that we live by and uphold.

The debate then continued on to the issue of Iran. Both Ryan and Biden said that they will prevent Iran from becoming owner of nuclear weapons no matter what, but the debate focused on the "how" they would ensure this promise. Ryan said the he and Romney had been fighting for sanctions to use military force in Iran since 2007, for Ryan, and 2009, for Romney. The administration however, according to Ryan, has opposed them every step of the way. Because of this Ryan says that Iran is now 4 years closer to owning a nuclear weapon. It was also pointed out by Ryan, that Congress was able to overrule the administration, thanks to bipartisan efforts, to get needed sanctions. Ryan then asserted that the only way to a peaceful end is if the leaders of Iran change their minds but that this will not occur because the current administration lacks credibility on the issue. Ryan said that Romney would bring credibility to the issue in order to ensure that this conflict will end peacefully. However, Ryan looked a little foolish when asked if he had a plan that would end the Iran conflict by the spring because he said that timelines are debatable and that in reality it would probably take longer for Iran to amass weapons. In defense, Ryan said that a possible arms race in the Middle East would be worse than war because an arms race would spread weapons throughout the region filled with terrorist organizations.

Biden, on the other hand, says that sanctions are crippling for world relations. He assured the viewing public that the US intelligence agencies have evidence that Iran is still a long way away from nuclear capabilities. Biden then reinforced his statements by saying that the world is united against Iran no matter what. However, Biden reiterated that war is always the last option for the Obama administration.

From the Iran issue the debate continued to the economy and job creation. The unemployment rate just fell below 8% for the first time in 43 months. Because of this news, the question posed to the VP candidates was if they thought it was possible to get unemployment to under 6% and how long it would take them to do so. Biden began this section by admitting that he did not know how long it would take to get unemployment under 6%. Biden did assure the viewing public that he and Obama would try to decrease the tax burden of the Middle class. During this section of the debate, Biden focused mostly on how both Romney and Ryan had made comments about the American public not taking responsibility for their lives. Romney said that 47% of Americans did not while Ryan said that 30% of Americans are takers. Because of these comments, Biden said that both Romney and Ryan need to take responsibility for their actions themselves.

Ryan pointed out how the United States was going in the wrong direction economically right now and that if we continue this trend, we will limp into a larger recession. After saying this, Ryan referenced Romney's five point economic rescue plan. With this plan, the United States will (1) become energy independent, (2) open trade in Latin American and China, (3) make sure people have good skills and better ranked schools, (4) get a balanced budget, and (5) champion small businesses to create jobs to correct the economy. The ultimate goal of this plan is to drop unemployment below 6% and get the economy growing creating new jobs.

The debate then took a turn to Medicare and Social Security. The question posed was whether or not both of these programs would be changed in order to survive. Ryan said that both of these programs would need to be reformed for the younger generations (54 years and younger). Ryan said that, if elected, Romney will keep the disassociation of these programs from happening by giving younger people a guaranteed coverage option when they become eligible. This option will subsidize premiums for the supported peoples. This would ensure that the lower class of Americans would be guaranteed total coverage. This plan also gives the insurance choice to the citizen instead of the state, as Obamacare would do. 

Biden supported Obamacare, saying that it stopped the overpayment of insurance companies. He also pointed out that Obamacare was supported by known retirement organizations, like the AARP. Biden said that Obamacare would extend the life of Medicare to 2024, giving seniors more benefits by not privatizing social security.

The next issue tackled was taxes. A simple question of who would pay more, or less, was asked. Biden upheld Obama's stance saying that Middle class will pay less, while people making $1 million or more will pay more. Biden also said that under Obama, Bush tax cuts for the wealthy would be allowed to expire, while the tax cuts for Middle class would be extended permanently. Biden then said that the Romney/Ryan promise of 20% tax cut promise could only work if privileges for the Middle class were cut, leaving the Middle class without programs like Medicare, social security, and other entitlement programs.

Ryan supported Romney's economic ideas, saying that the economy must be allowed to grow, creating more jobs. Ryan then asserted that there are not enough rich people and small businesses to tax in order to pay for Obama's spending. For this reason, Ryan said that tax reform was needed. Lower tax rates across the board were promised as well as closing loopholes for the higher class to make sure that the deficit is not raised. Ryan also promised that taxes on the Middle class would not be raised. However, when asked how the 20% tax cut was possible, Ryan was able to give no specific plans. He just said that bipartisan agreements and efforts would be needed based on the current framework had.

When asked if they would increase the defense budget, both candidates gave wildly different answers. Ryan said that neither he, nor Romney, would cut the military like Obama plans to do. He said that if the military is cut, then images of a weak America are invited. Biden said that Obama does not wish to cut the military, but rather that the military desires a smaller, leaner force which are more specialized in their training.

With the debate on the military topic, the debate focused on the issue of Afghanistan. Since we began our military effort, America has lost 2000 troops, reached recruiting goals for Afghanistan forces, and degraded Al-Qaeda. Because of this, the candidates were asked why American should not pull its forces out now. They were asked to explain what more could be done by America in Afghanistan. Ryan answered first by saying that we do not want to loose the gains we have gotten in the Middle East. America does not want the Taliban to come back into Afghanistan the second we leave and gain power. Ryan and Romney both, however, agree with the 2014 plan that Obama has right now for the removal of American forces. Its just that they do not want to see Afghanistan become a launching point for more terrorism after America pulls out. Ryan said that Obama's foreign policy is unraveling as issues continue to remain unsolved in the Middle East. Ryan thinks that the timeline idea is unwise for America because it lessens foreign countries confidence in the US allowing terrorists to plan to revisit the occupied countries the moment American forces are gone.

Biden, however, pointed out how America completed what they wanted to in the Middle East. He said that Americans who were killed have been avenged, Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein have been overthrown, and Afghan forces have been trained and stationed. Because of this, Biden says that the US will pull out in 2014, "Period." Biden said that once we pull out $800 billion will be saved from our budget. He said that it is now Afghanistan's turn to lead and maintain their nation and government. He said that the only way the Middle East (Afghanistan and Iraq) will step up is if we give them a timeline and leaving date, otherwise they will continue to let the US do the work.

From here, the debate moved onto the issue of the civil war in Syria. Since the beginning of this conflict, an estimate 25,000-30,000 people have been killed. It was asked why the same logic used with respect to Libya does not apply to Syria. Biden spoke first, saying that because it is a different country, in a different region, no troops could be sent because it was not in the national interest. The impacts of possible regional war were too great. However, Biden assured the American public that the US government is working with the Turks and other countries of that region to ensure that when Assad leaves, there will be a new, stable government to take its place. America has also been sending over humanitarian and medical aid to the free forces within Syria. They will also ensure that Al-Qaeda will not take over. Biden did say that no troops will be sent to Syria because the last thing America needs is another conflict involvement in the Middle East.

Ryan says that Romney and him are not proposing send troops to Syria, they just would not have "outsourced" their decision to the United Nations. Ryan said that when Obama outsourced foreign policy decisions to the UN, he gave Putin veto power over the actions of the United States and that Romney would not have done that. When asked what he and Romney would do if Assad did not fall, Ryan said that they agree with Obama about trying to contain WMD spread in the Middle East and would send troops, if necessary, to do this. However, Ryan reiterated that he would have changed Obama's initial reaction, responding sooner that Obama had to the Syrian news. He said that intervention has to be in the interest of strategic national security for the US, with concern to our troops.

Ryan and Biden were then asked what role their Catholic views play with concern to the issue of abortion. Ryan began by saying that his faith informs him on everything in life. He then said that the reason he is Pro-Life is because of science and reason, not simply his faith. He believes that life begins at conception, and that the policy of Romney will be opposed to abortion with exception in the case of rape, incest, and the life of the mother.

Biden began by saying that his religion defines who he is as a person. He said it impacts his social doctrine, taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Biden said he accepts the Church's position on abortion as an element of his personal life, but refuses to impose it on others who may have different views and religious beliefs. Biden thinks that abortion is a decision of a woman that should be made between her and her doctor.

Then the VP candidates were asked some more personal questions. The first was whether or not the candidates were embarrassed by the tone of this election, tearing down your opponent whether than building up the country. Biden admitted that there are things that happen in every election he's been a part of that he regrets. But he said that the conviction of the candidate must be looked at in order to make an informed decision.

Ryan, on the other hand, seemed to answer the question by tearing down him opponent. He said that the President has offered "hope and change", but has merely turned the debate into an attack on Romney. Ryan then said that if you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone to run from. Ryan's statement almost seemed to validate the question.


In the end, I still do not see a clear winner. There are still two more Presidential debates to come before voting begins. The only winner I can see right now is Ryan best smile. High five Ryan! It may not win you the election, but it will definitely win over a few girl's hearts.