Vice Presidential Debate

After watching the first two debates, I feel like I'm in the middle of a triple Goldilocks tale:

1. Obama was too soft
2. Biden was too hard

1. Romney was just right
2. Ryan was too soft

1. Lehrer was too laid back
2. Raddatz was too intrusive

Maybe soon we will get the debate we want.

In the first Presidential debate, I was very impressed with Romney, and not at all impressed with Obama.
Last night, I noticed that Biden was smiling and laughing early in the debate and then kept interrupting when Ryan was speaking.  Ryan to his credit kept his cool throughout, except for one well-timed retort back to Biden.  Raddatz kept breaking the flow and never kept control of the interruptions, and many times both candidates were talking at the same time, which reminded me of most cable and Sunday news talk shows where no one ever learns anything .  I do feel that Raddatz was fair with her questions, as I also felt Lehrer was (although Lehrer lacked good substance in his questions "Explain the differences...").  Some commentary by the supposed non-partisans in the studios felt that she was excellent.  At best I thought she was adequate, but even that is stretching it.

The obsession with winners and losers misses the point of the debate.  It should be informative.   The first one was very informative from the Romney side, and probably rates a C as far as debates go.  Last night was more of a D, because the flow was horrible by the interruptions mostly by Biden and then even Raddatz.  

I expect more from the final two debates, and hope that CNN's Candy Crowley can set a better example of moderating in moderation.