Vice President Joe Biden and Republican challenger Paul Ryan faced off in the second presidential debate at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky Thursday night. The debate, like last week’s between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, was 90 minutes long. The first debate boosted poll numbers for Romney while Obama received criticism for his less-than-thrilling performance, so the stakes were just as high for the VP debate. Here are the top 10 facts you need to know about the debate.
1. Ryan Says a Nuclear Armed Iran Would be Worse Than Another War in the Middle East
The debate started off with questions about our affairs in Iran. The topic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “red line” came up and Ryan stated that he wanted to interfere with Iran’s nuclear weapon production and stop them before they succeed, but Biden disagreed advocating peace and saying that war should be an absolute last resort.
2. Biden Believes in the Current Medicare Plan while Ryan Wants to Change It
Under the current system, the federal government pays doctors and hospitals fees for particular services. The Romney-Ryan Medicare plan, on the other hand, beneficiaries would have the choice of receiving a fixed subsidy from the federal government that could go toward a private insurance plan.
3. Ryan Talks a Bunch of “Malarky,” Biden Says
“With all due respect, that’s a bunch of malarky.” The Vice President used the term numerous times stating that Ryan was making inaccurate claims. The term immediately trended on Twitter.
4. Ryan Insists His Tax Plan is “Mathematically Possible” but Won’t Provide the Math
What we know about Romney’s incomplete tax plan ow.ly/epPbW #debates
— PolitiFact (@politifact) October 12, 2012
5. Biden Mocks Ryan for Comparing Himself to Jack Kennedy
Biden seized on an opportunity to recreate one of the most famous presidential debate moments in history. In 1988, Democrat Lloyd Bentsen made a quip at young Republican Dan Quayle for comparing himself to John F. Kennedy. “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy,” said Bentsen. Ryan and Romney had a similar conversation when Ryan compared himself to Kennedy, where Biden responded, “Oh, now you’re Jack Kennedy.”
6. Biden Says We are Leaving Afghanistan in 2014, Period, Ryan Says it Depends
Ryan and Romney support 2014 date for Afghanistan withdrawal. Mostly True. ow.ly/epQ3C #debates
— PolitiFact (@politifact) October 12, 2012
7. Abortion: Ryan Pro-Life, Biden Pro-Choice
One of the only social issues that was brought up in the debate was over abortion. Ryan stated that he believes that life begins at conception, so his stance on the matter is pro-life. While Biden responded that he also believes that life begins at conception, he refuses to impose his view on other people and therefore, claiming his stance on pro-choice.
8. Biden Debated Better Than Obama, According to Tweeters
Obama stunned by doing so badly. Biden is stunning by doing so well.
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) October 12, 2012
Biden is killing Ryan on Medicare and Social Security.Ryan is arguing ideology, Biden arguing facts.
— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) October 12, 2012
9. Martha Raddatz Drew Wide Praise for her Debate Moderating
Martha Raddatz of ABC News was immediately applauded after the debate for her astonishing performance as the moderator. She didn’t ask puffy questions or get away with vague non-answers, as Jim Lehrer did, the moderator of the first debate. She kept the debate moving quickly and efficiently. Hats off to you, Ms. Raddatz.
10. President Obama is Pleased With Biden’s Performance
Tonight proved once again that you won’t find a better and more tireless advocate for the middle class than @joebiden. -bo #TeamJoe
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 12, 2012