Anyone form an opinion about VP debate without relying on spin from their party?

[Anonymous]

Reading a lot of "opinions" from people on last night seems like a rehash of the post debate chatter from the pundits on MSNBC and Fox news. Did anyone watch the debate actually thinking the things they are writing about Ryan or Romney or is it just your take from all the spin that came from your respective side?

I watched the debate on CSPAN and didnt turn to the major networks for a while but my takeaways were as follows
Biden got Ryan on foreign policy except in the case of Libya
Biden was smiling a lot and I commented to myself within 5 minutes of the debate that this was going to be a sticking point if he keeps it up all night and he did
I laughed when Biden fit in every liberal talking point (47%,Healthcare talking points, Economy talking points, etc) in one answer as if he was never going to get a chance to fit that all in the rest of the night.
Ryan held his own but there wasnt a "wow" factor. He seemed just there.
Ryan closed strong which I guess in the grand scheme of things is good since that last impression is what people walk away with.

I give the edge to Biden. yes Im a dem but I'm not calling it an ass whooping like most in my party are. Biden is way more passionate than Obama and I think that goes a long way for people to know that hes not giving you some filtered bullshit answer in an attempt to please you. Ryan seemed robotic at times and he did get in some zingers (pointing out bidens gaffes and his desperation to get points in because they are "losing") but the only time I saw Ryan get "real" was in the end, which I again give him kudos on.

The spin post debate has helped me flesh out my thoughts but I wasnt interested in getting told by Rachel Maddow and company why Biden won. I wanted to form that opinion on my own.

[Anonymous]

And while I dont think Obama lost as bad as people said he did, I accept the popular opinion that Obama dropped the ball on the first debate and the consensus from the left was the same thing.

I find it pathetic that Conservatives cant at least look internally at themselves and admit where Ryan came up short. The whole nonsense about the moderator being at someone's wedding and crying about Biden being aggressive (when Romney was the same and it was hailed) is reaching.

Republicans have things to "cheer" about with what Ryan did last night but stop with the whole spin that Ryan knocked it out the park. He didnt.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that's a particularly fair representation. I think the parties and candidates are so fundamentally different in their thinking and views that what we saw is the same thing most pundits are spinning as well.

Biden laughed too much and at some inappropriate times, but he's Biden. That was actually tame for him. Ryan looked crazy nervous and drank too much damned water. But he's young and this is his first big-time debate. I thought they both presented their positions well. Although Biden tanked when trying to discuss the Libya consulate attack. Ryan tanked when asked about specifics of his program cuts. But morally? They stayed true to their party values. And the country is very split as to how it looks at those.

Neither of them can pronounce Taliban. And Ryan's attempt at explaining Quetta Shura and "fighting seasons" was just so bizarre.

[Anonymous]

In full disclosure I am a dem and my mind was made up pre debate. I think both Biden and Ryan did fine. Biden's smiling was bizarre, but when he actually spoke he was aggressive, passionate, and seemed very well informed. Ryan was perfectly fine, but when pressed for specifics by the moderator, couldn't really come up with any. He also seemed intent on taking notes at every second, which was sort of distracting. That being said, his closing seemed genuine and was nice. I didn't think he did a bad job. I think people expected Biden not to do well, just as they had expected Romney not to do well, and both candidates surprised. That is why I think there is so much focus on how great they did. Expectations for them were low, and they exceeded them.

[Anonymous]

937 OP here.

I made the same observation with the water. I noticed he took a sip when they first sat down and though to myself that Ryan is nervous.

I agree that the administration is going to have a real problem with the Libya issue but the real question is if the public care that much about it at this time.