This is just regarding the 1 and a half hour debate which I only watched 30 minutes of. It was with Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. What did everyone think of it?

I think it was still a better love story than Twilight.

People actually watch these bore-a-thons?

On a different note: I think anyone who's swayed at the last minute by these debates probably shouldn't vote to begin with.

Indeed, one of the Fox news guys wrote a letter that basically the Presidential debate was a draw. Which is a bit interesting, as they're usually quick to praise the GOP and criticize the Democrats.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/10/04/obama-didnt-lose-debate-romney-didnt-win/

And from what I saw of the transcript, they were right. People focused on the superficial aspects and ignored the substance of what the politicians were saying. It certainly didn't look to me like Romney had actually won the debate in terms of his points.

This week end I'll probably read the transcript and see what it looked like for the VP debate. But, it wouldn't surprise me if it's about as meaningful as the Miss American talent competition.

I'm a political fanatic and I found the debate painful to sit through. The questions were awful and the constant yelling over one another was just miserable. That is exactly why I listen to NPR despite having almost no interest in any of their content. I just can't take talk radio/cable news programming where noise is constantly overriding noise.

For what it's worth, the only scientific poll (as far as I'm aware) was CNN's which scored it in Ryan's favor 48 to 44. At the end of the debate I felt Ryan was slightly ahead in substance (what bit there was to be had) and way ahead in demeanor/professionalism. 48/44 sounds just about right if you consider political preferences.

ROTFLMAO! Republican eh? Everyone and his brother knows and is stating that Biden completely creamed Ryan and the debate is being re-broadcast on a few channels right now so you can see for yourself. The contrast between this debate and the first debate between Romney and Obama is stark indeed. Biden did not let Ryan get away with ANY untruths. One Facebook page I saw characterized the debate via a status update: "Hello 9-1-1? Yeah I'd like to report an old man beating a child on my TV...". I am no Democrat and won't be voting for Obama in 2012 but you have to give it up for them. Biden came out swinging and connecting with every swing.

Edit: Also the CNN poll was just another flash poll and not any more "scientific" than any other flash poll. It is true that that one result is different than everyone else's and people are puzzling over why the result occurred. Ryan just had no substance. He seemed puzzled and desperate.

http://www.cnn.com/

Biden did the absolute best he could but it was by no means a win. The best he could have hoped for was a modest loss which would be considered a draw (which is almost exactly what happened). His admin's record over the past 4 years and his lack of credibility on important issues absolutely prevented him from a win.

Partisan observers all liked their guy. Independents are not going to share your take.

Edited post above with response to the CNN poll comment you are offering.

You sound absurd BTW. We can tell just by your response. If the Republican had won you guys would all be declaring it from the rooftops but instead the best you come up with is "It was a draw"?! And you cannot be serious guy. Just admit it, Biden won and tomorrow will show a 4-6 point swing in Obama's favor because of it.

Don't joke. Right now that is the Conservative spin I am hearing from several sources: That the moderator was Liberally biased.

But that's just what these "debates" are for - make a shallow impression upon people to influence their voting decision. It's just a farcical display of theatrics, overblown statements, and in some cases blatant lies. But people only care about HOW things are said, not the truth behind said statements.

Somewhere around 90-95% of the country decided who they would vote for a long time ago. In fact, it doesn't matter to them who their party nominates.

Party loyalty over progress - the greatness of American politics.

/sarcasm

Really? I haven't heard that yet. Eh. As far as I am concerned tonight just reinforced how much I don't care for either party.

There is some truth to what you say but what you leave out is that there are a large number of Americans (alternatively identifying as "moderates" or sometimes "Independents" for the most part) who do get swayed by debates, speeches etc. A few of them will be swayed toward Romney by Ryan's extreme Anti-Choice position but a greater number of (especially women) people will be swayed towards Obama because of the position Biden took and the way he presented it .

Does anyone actually believe anything a politician says actually matters?

I mean, come on. What he says he can/will do is next to meaningless considering that Congress couldn't agree on whether or not the sky is blue without thousands of hours of "debate" and rhetoric on how the other side is wanting to destroy America. Even with a majority of one side they can't get shit done because the other will threaten to filibuster.

The best one can hope for in a president is that he doesn't vomit into a visiting dignitary's lap.

The abortion stance of each running pair/party should be well known, and I don't think anyone's mind on that issue will change based on one debate. Independents are so because they think about a number of issues, unlike single-issue voters which comprise the majority of Democratic or Republican voters.