71 Comments

• pilib04 | Oct 18, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT

  Ha, poor Maureen. She spoke, err, wrote too soon. The President took Mittens to the mat. This race is over. For the poll watchers, remember to factor in the missing Libertarian (Gary Johnson) vote. Only the Rocky Mountain News includes Johnson in the polls and it makes a major difference. No wonder the Republicans tried to keep him off the ballot (on 48 out of 50).

• eiriamach | Oct 18, 2012, 12:37 PM EDT

  Cas Lee has posted, word for word, the same drivel on the Forbes web site, Baltimore Sun, prospect, politico, cbsnews, polocalprov, guardian uk, politicaltickerblogs, more and more and endlessly more blogs, palmbeachpost, siouxcityjournal, belmontshorepatch, and more and more and endlessly more news sites. . . . OK I haven't begun to list the 2 million hits that Cas Lee's exact words get on Google Search, so I'll stop there. But Irish Central, can't you do something to screen out the machine-generated political spam and limit postings to real human beings?

• McNamara31 | Oct 18, 2012, 12:27 PM EDT

  For all who actually watched the presidential debates(and GOP primaries)I ask one question: Do you want a president or do you want an arrogant Gordon Gekko who rolls over your every word like you don't exist? If you turn off FOX for a day, you will find: the stock market which feeds our 401K's and pension plans has doubled since Obama took office. People with pre-existing conditions (nearly everyone over 50) have medical insurance, unemployment has steadily decreased, we're out of Iraq and leaving Afghanistan,the American car industry and feeder companies were saved. The other guy told the car industry "to fail", will end medicare and replace it with a voucher program so your 80 year old grandmother will have to "shop" for medical insurance yearly (how's that for a secure feeling)and as for wars, he's right in their with Bibi perched to start WW3 with Iran. I wonder if he'll put the trillions cost on credit cards like GWB did? And BTW Patrick, how far did you have to go to find this awful picture of the president?

• seanomelb | Oct 15, 2012, 06:29 PM EDT

  Cas Ryan/Romney have about as much "substance" as a marshmallow.Maybe we should dub them "etch" and "sketch".

• Smyrnian | Oct 15, 2012, 04:23 PM EDT

  Well said, Cas!!

• Cas Lee | Oct 15, 2012, 03:21 PM EDT

  October 15, 2012 Hello, my fellow American voters! I watched the Oct. 3rd presidential and Oct. 11th vice-presidential debates. Romney-Obama debate covered 7 topics: jobs; budget deficit/debt; social security/entitlements; federal regulation of economy; healthcare; federal government role in economy; partisan gridlock. Ryan-Biden debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Iran; economy; medicare/social security/entitlements; taxes/tax reform/spending/budget cuts; military policy; Afghanistan; Syria; abortion; negative campaign tactics. As an INDEPENDENT, I support the Romney/Ryan ticket. Romney and Ryan won both debates. Ryan won despite Biden’s consistently rude/disrespectful behavior during the debate. Biden’s tactics to evade issues/truth were disrespectful to Americans interested in facts, figures, forecasts, and solutions for real people with real problems. Biden interrupted Ryan often, laughed often while Ryan was talking, and pointed his finger often. Romney and Ryan won with substance, integrity, respect, clarity, facts, commitment, inspiration, and leadership. But these debates are NOT about who wins but rather about who is the best person in terms of qualifications/character to lead our country to solve problems and make life better for all Americans. I am inspired by Romney/Ryan, and I hope that you are too! Best regards, Cas Lee

• nicgearailt | Oct 15, 2012, 11:55 AM EDT

  Joe Biden's performance in the debate was unbecoming of his office.I cannot abide when there is no respect shown to the opponent.It just makes a mockery of the event.Who can say that that was worthy!

• jflanagan | Oct 15, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT

  "Blue Collar Joe" who never had a blue collar job in his adult life, is a phony. He champions those less fortunate, a good thing, but averages only 0.3% of his and his wife salary when giving to charity. My wife and I give in one year on average more than they give in 20 years, yet we only make 1/8th of what they average in one year. I stopped taking him serious a few years back and his demeanor showed he isn't serious about anything but taking other peoples money and keeping his own.

• BrianO | Oct 15, 2012, 10:38 AM EDT

  Again Ephraim you have no concept of the rights endowed on we citizens of the United States. The founders stated that one of the fundamental rights was freedom to practice your own religion. The only restriction is that the state,ie. the federal government could not by law force people to worship a state sponsored religion as was the case in england. Individuals, including presidents, are free to hold whatever religious convictions and are free to express those convictions without fear of government sanctions. Since your fear people who believe in God, or more aptly you wish others to fear them, you attempt again to scare monger. An old play from a worn out play book by you a paid democratic hack.

• jamieLM | Oct 15, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT

  There's absolutely nothing funny about a country deep in debt or Iran with a nuclear weapon, etc. My husband and I don't find any of the issues facing the U.S. a laughing matter. Biden's "performance" was embarrassing, disgraceful, rude, and unfitting behavior for a sitting VP. This is one Irish-American couple who were thoroughly disgusted!

• hooligan6a | Oct 15, 2012, 09:02 AM EDT

  Democrats have stopped being Catholic a long time ago.

• mreinhar2001 | Oct 14, 2012, 11:58 PM EDT

  maggiepoo: Thanks for Proverbs 29:9, I will remember it.

• mreinhar2001 | Oct 14, 2012, 11:54 PM EDT

  EamonnDublin; Your IQ comment was cute. Are you familiar with how the US Constitution developed? As you may already know, initially only white men were allowed to vote and that restricted a great deal of the population. But did you know that in the discussions that brought about the Constitution they seriously considered only allowing those men who owned real estate to vote? They thought that only those who owned property had the intelligence required to make a proper choice. If the Constitution had gone that way, I am sure the decision would have been overturned like everything else, but it certainly would have changed what America looked like for at least the first 50 years. As such, what we have now would look tremendously different.

• mreinhar2001 | Oct 14, 2012, 11:42 PM EDT

  brendan gillen: But you have to be a citizen in the US to vote and actually live inthe US to know how it really "is." Was that a shameless plug for your book?

• shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 10:13 PM EDT

  So NO lies were told by Ryan in that debate???? Get a grip you are clearly blinded by your own bias! No intelligent person is so blinded by one side when the hypocrisy is nauseating :-) what about Obamacare Romney Passed in mass? What about Ryan looking for stimulus money while looking for it for his state??? And Ore than once!! Or maybe the republican cutting of the defense budget for embassies world wide and now using the Ben ghazi murders to score cheap political points ?? I keep asking for some answers for the hypocrisy and not one of you have addressed one of these lies??? Cause you got NOTHING!

• blackstone | Oct 14, 2012, 09:14 PM EDT

  Joe Biden is a buffoon and a disgrace to civilized people everywhere. His debate performance was so sleazy and disgusting completely filled with lies and shameless pandering. He is the worst of the worst.Just the thought that this clown is a heartbeat away from being president is the only reason you need NOT to vote for Obama. I lost all respect for Maureen Dowd long ago, but this just confirms it. No intelligent person could think that the way Joe Biden behaved is worthy of anything but complete contempt, whatever your politics.

• SherryKay | Oct 14, 2012, 07:08 PM EDT

  So,good for Joe Biden as Barack Obama sure needs to be beach slapped into reality again and stop being a pomous arse and end his stupid mooning and swooning over Michelle Obama and give up golf and shooting hoops childish nonsense!

• shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 06:38 PM EDT

  There is a difference between being against wars and being against wars on credit cards and you have flip flopped between both in your comments:-) So was what you said a lie or a mistake? Funny you do not mention one hypocritical comment made by Ryan such as being critical of the stimulus package and yet at least twice begging for those very funds for his state ? Or using the Ben Ghazi attack to score cheap political points when it was the republican congress that cut the security budget for embassies world wide! Ain't hypocrisy grand!

• mairint | Oct 14, 2012, 06:26 PM EDT

  What sort of 'Irish Catholic' would Maureen Dowd understand? Does she mean the nominal version or the one who understands and follows his/her faith? As for the vacuous comments of pagan ilk who cannot abide God or our faith in Him, what have atheists given to the world? Huh? How many hospitals, colleges, charitable organizations etc.? Carry on spreading your hatred and stand by as the Islamic fanatical version of religion takes over, then see how you survive and what sort of 'leadership' you will have to live under.

• wjb1tex | Oct 14, 2012, 06:22 PM EDT

  shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 06:08 PM EDT Strange you do not mention that Bush did NOT put any wars he started on the books why is that? Obama put everything on the books. Obama care may not have been penned before the last election but how long has affordable healthcare been spoken about in the US------------------------------- I was commenting on Biden's lie about not supporting the wars. Not whether they were on credit cards or not. Also he lied about Palin talking about them in his debate with her. Not what she has said since. The question is did Biden lie. Your response makes it clear you know he did.

• seanomelb | Oct 14, 2012, 06:12 PM EDT

  I think we will see a different Obama on Tuesday.Ephraim's piece solidifies why we must have a secular government. Keep the crazies out of Washington. Adkin,Bachmann Walsh and the rest of the extremist religious freaks posing as human beings

• shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 06:08 PM EDT

  Strange you do not mention that Bush did NOT put any wars he started on the books why is that? Obama put everything on the books. Obama care may not have been penned before the last election but how long has affordable healthcare been spoken about in the US? Clinton tried to bring it in and like Michael D says 'just a bunch of wa....s whipping up fear' was all that death panels was about. And I have seen and heard palin speaking death panels but I hear she's writing books now on faith and family are you going to purchase it??

• brendan gillen | Oct 14, 2012, 05:51 PM EDT

  I like Joe Biden. He calls it like it is. Please read my book High Noon in Stewart and you will learn everything you need to know about Irish Canada.

• wjb1tex | Oct 14, 2012, 05:48 PM EDT

  shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 05:39 PM EDT Murph what was Biden wrong on ?-----------------Although I am not Murph I will answer on a couple. Biden said he was against the two wars paid for by credit cards. The fact is he voted for both of them. He said "death panels come up in every v-p debate and that Palin had talked about them. Obama had not yet been elected so Obamacare was never even proposed so how did Palin know about them ?

• shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 05:39 PM EDT

  Murph what was Biden wrong on ?

• shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 04:59 PM EDT

  Katiemac every woman who takes the pill then is in the same category as is any man who uses a condom! Eamonn you come across quite dismissive yourself and i notice you didn't address the points I made about Ryan asking for stimulus funds while Condemning the stimulus package. Or Romney passing Obama care in Mass or the republican senate taking millions from the fund to guard embassies while making use of the Ben ghazi murders to score cheap political points. And I know well how to spell my own name thank you Siobhan!!

• righton | Oct 14, 2012, 04:41 PM EDT

  Once again, Biden proves he IS the crazy uncle. Especially when he talked about the four murders in Benghazi and neither he nor the president knew about security risks or terrorists, just some stupid video no one watched as the week long reason. Keep laughing Joe. And go to confession for lying. And say six Hail Marys and the Act of Contrition for the rest of the lies.

• Smyrnian | Oct 14, 2012, 04:29 PM EDT

  And we all know how much Irish Central absolutely worships the ground Maureen Dowd walks on so not much credibility here.

• Sashland | Oct 14, 2012, 04:13 PM EDT

  The debate is a perfect litmus test for the election: if you are definitely going to vote for obama then you though biden gave a rousing, spirited defense of freedom. if you are going definitely going to vote for Romney then you though Ryan was steady, controlled, respectful and a viable VP office holder. if you were undecided and watched that debate over half watched and said "what the hell was that? who is that rudde obnoxious Cheshire Cat. One quarter said, well, I guess I need to watch the second Presidential debate to confirm I still can't vote for obama. The last quarter said "wasn't there supposed to be a baseball game tonight"... The polls that show Ryan winning 48 to 44, or 51 to 47, are actually a pretty good reflection of where the final vote will go. Romney is now above 50% and obama MUSt win the next debate or the election is virtually over. The VP debate was a perfect litmus test as one sees what they believe, and the truly undecideds and a-political were offended by biden's antics. Thank you Joe.

• eiriamach | Oct 14, 2012, 04:06 PM EDT

  Right on, EphraimK. You expressed the problem well. They'll wake up in horror some post-election morning and ask, "Why am I in bed with these creatures?

• Murph46 | Oct 14, 2012, 04:05 PM EDT

  Biden is a loud mouth bag of wind who was 100 % wrong in several of his responses.

• EphraimKibbey | Oct 14, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT

  eiriamach - Well explained, but the "uber-Catholics" here are not the only threat to our constitution. Those of us who REALLY believe in the separation of church and state are surrounded by THEOCRACY lovers. For now the Evangelicals, Mormons and Catholics have joined forces but what awaits the country once one of their religions gains supremacy. How foolish the other believers will feel when their beliefs are not given equal consideration in lawmaking. Sadly these commenters here have failed to grasp one of the basic tenets of freedom. For everyone to retain their right to believe and practice as their consciences dictate, they must extend that right to everyone else. Voting for people who want to put your religious beliefs into law denies all other religions their rights. If one codifies one's own beliefs in law when in power, what is to prevent those of another religion from codifying their beliefs when they gain power after decodifying the previous regieme's laws. VERY UNAMERICAN!

• Frosty38 | Oct 14, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT

  In our paper he was a winner. I hope if the REP get in Paul can afford a jacket that fits him. He looks like he buys them in a goodwill store. Oh right he is supporting the poor

• Frosty38 | Oct 14, 2012, 03:36 PM EDT

  I will change the post to something different. I went to church today RC Church and we got printed voters pamphlets on both candidates How they are on the different issues . I don't think that should a pass out for a church who wants our money for a "HUGE" debt for building a new church they should use the money to the debt of the mortgage

• markday | Oct 14, 2012, 03:29 PM EDT

  It's hard to be polite when you are dealing with a snot-nosed overpriviledged kid who lies through his teeth, and is backed by a party that relies on billionaires and voter suppression to win an election. Go, Joe Biden. Get your Irish up and keep it up. And give'em hell!

• freebie28 | Oct 14, 2012, 03:09 PM EDT

  “Ryan...seemed a little green and shaky at moments." Please don't confuse those visuals with good manners and maturity. A man with less perseverance might have suggested,"Mister Biden, you ARE the Vice President of the United States. Please try to act the part!"

• Seanmor | Oct 14, 2012, 02:26 PM EDT

  Those of us who are loyal, law-abiding, tax-paying, fair minded U.S. citizens know that any loss of Obama's is America's gain.

• eiriamach | Oct 14, 2012, 02:17 PM EDT

  Frazettagirl (obviously a female imposter) writes, if "you vote for a politician who supports abortion, you put your immortal soul in peril." Imagine an American voter being intimidated into voting against his or her conscience by a threat of hellfire or excommunication or rejection by the Catholic Church! What delusions of power these uber-Catholics have! And how harmful to the possibility of Irish-descended Americans ever again winning election to high political office! Think, people: This kind of religious bullying kept Catholics out of office, despite the almost-genetic passion of Irish Americans for politics-- for generations until JFK firmly pledged separation of his policies as President from the teachings of any religious leader, and he challenged his Protestant opponents to scrap their religious litmus test for public office. How ironic that Catholics are now re-installing a religious test-- expressly forbidden by the US Constitution-- for politicians. This bashing of Joe Biden as un-Catholic is narrow-minded, unAmerican, and destructive of the indomitable freedom of conscience we inherit from our Irish immigrant ancestors. "I should be a poor American and a poor Catholic alike if I injected religious discussion into a political campaign." -- Al Smith

• porkheaven | Oct 14, 2012, 01:50 PM EDT

  correction I did not vote for ObamaBiden/

• porkheaven | Oct 14, 2012, 01:48 PM EDT

  Biden is a baptized catholic and that is all. He just attends Ash Wednesday services for show and tell with his ashes mark. I am proud that I did vote Obama/Biden the 1st time nor will the 2nd time and I will not vote for anyone in the Marxists party {former democrat party] and I am 100% Irish[ kerry,Longford,Momahan] and Roman Catholic and I practice.

• Siobhan39 | Oct 14, 2012, 01:08 PM EDT

  shuvonn - interesting spelling. The Irish spelling for Joan would be Siobhan - bh pronounced as v in Irish.

• Rebelforce | Oct 14, 2012, 01:03 PM EDT

  Leave it to Maureen Dowd to take Thursday's historic Vice-Presidential debate between two Irish-American Catholics and ethnically stereotype it (and the males in her family to boot) as “a donnybrook with Irish Catholic uncles and nephews interrupting one another, mocking one another, arguing over one another, bombastically denouncing every political opinion except their own as malarkey.” Because you know......those brutish, boorish, unruly Irish men just love to fight.

• PhlutiePhan | Oct 14, 2012, 12:50 PM EDT

  The true question is one of whether Joe Biden is even a Catholic. He stated that he was a "devout" Catholic. That was a bunch of "malarkey" based on his statement about support for unlimited choice by the mother. He refused to answer the questions of Ryan in regard to the attacks on Catholic institutions and the many suits in regard to such. There is no doubt at all of the Marxist and national socialist ambitions of his friend in the White House. Have we forgotten so quickly the attacks of Michelle against Irish Catholic politicians in the book by Jodi Kantor? Why should Irish Catholics (12.2% of the population if you count Scot-Irish, 1%) support the Marxist ambitions of 12.5% of the population? There is no doubt that they will not support a Republican. My Irish grandmother with a third grade education would have been horrified at the paganism of the current Democratic Party. My Irish grandfather voted for George Wallace. My grandmother was a Breslin whose father left the green isle after being accused of killing a Black and Tan. In support of JFK, I served 4 years of shipboard duty.

• EamonnDublin | Oct 14, 2012, 12:48 PM EDT

  "Shuvonn" - The world appears to have moved on a lot since you last took notice. One does not have to live in a country to know what's going on there. "Communications" is the word you seem to be missing. I watch a variety of United States' TV news programmes every single day. I take enormous interest in US politics. Please do NOT be so dismissive of others who have different opinions to your own - you would begin to sound too much like Obama. God Bless America. Éamonn, Dublin.

• katiemac | Oct 14, 2012, 12:46 PM EDT

  Shuvonn, oxymoron may be the wrong term. Every 'Catholic' who suppports, votes for, or participates in the promotion of abortion is effectively, by their own actions, EXCOMMUNICATED from the Body of Christ that is the Church. Being a Roman Catholic and being pro-Choice are mutually exclusive. From a different Katie but of the same mind.

• katiemac | Oct 14, 2012, 12:41 PM EDT

  "call to President Obama to get in thw game in Tuesday’s debate." I thought you effete, liberal, intellectuals knew about spell check. Does no one edit?

• shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 12:38 PM EDT

  JohnValentine do you object then to the separation of church and state like the US Constitution does? And Ryan took all the time he was allowed to answer the questions he was asked so to even infer that he was not allowed to speak is an outright misleading statement at best borefield!

• shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 12:33 PM EDT

  KatieMc so every RC who takes birth control pills is also an oxymoron in your eyes? Chris Christy is like a moving mountain and a joke of a politician. Good job you do not have a vote in the US Eamonn from Dublin, I am from Dublin and your not living here clearly leaves you at a disadvantage to not know what is going on. Rommey voted in Obamacare in Massachusetts. The Republican Senate voted for a 30 million dollar cut to embassy security world wide and now want to be critical of the murders in Libya? Ryan was critical of the stimulus money yet asked on many occasions for money from the very funds he sought for his state. So you have NO clue clearly....

• EamonnDublin | Oct 14, 2012, 12:22 PM EDT

  No, Ms. Dowd - Mr. Biden did NOT get "penalised for smiling too much", as you put it. He was "penalised" because he sneered, laughed inanely, whispered in the background, interrupted rudely and generally behaved in a boorish, sarcastic, overbearing, childish, ignorant manner. And yes, ALL of the above apply in this case. I have the absolute height of respect for the United States of America. However, if you guys vote in Obama for a second term, I will have to seriously question whether the American people as a whole have the intelligence to continue to indulge in universal suffrage. If Obama wins, I suggest a National IQ test for the right to vote would then be in order. God Bless America! Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• borefield | Oct 14, 2012, 12:21 PM EDT

  Ryan came across as a well spoken professional respectful young man. He has great answers to all the questions if only he had a chance to verbalized them. Biden's brash and bullying behavior prevented people with a degree of decorum and manners from hearing them at the debate. It's time Biden retired to the rocking chair. He looked like a laughing idiot off his meds. instead of the gracious statesman he once was.

• lokionline | Oct 14, 2012, 12:05 PM EDT

  I would like to channel Chris Christie who foretold that the first Presidential debate would change the game. I suspect the Presidential debate this coming Tuesday will seal the deal one way or the other. The rest of the noise around this issue is irrelevant.

• Katie McInerney | Oct 14, 2012, 12:01 PM EDT

  Biden said that he is "a pro-abortion Catholic." HUH? I thought he was a moron, but now I know he is an OXYMORON.

• johntvalentine | Oct 14, 2012, 11:57 AM EDT

  My whold life I have been very proud of and always so overwelmed of my Irish heritage. I am so ashamed of this uncivilized chacter they call, VP biden. To stand before all of America's beloved Citizenry. And act like satan, lie and lie and deceitfull try to deceive America. But what hurts me even more, is that the National Democratic Party at the Democratic Convention says, "THERE IS NO GOD." The progressives have taken our Democratic Party values and principles. I have now made my decision, to not at least for this time around, to NOT VOTE DEMOCRATIC. PERIOD.

• shuvonn | Oct 14, 2012, 11:56 AM EDT

  You want to talk hypocrisy? Asking for funds that you are critical of (as in the stimulus funding Ryan repeatedly asked for for his state) Being critical of the embassy attacks while being on the side that cuts the funds in the senate. Ryan is a liar, so is romney since Romney brought Obama care to Mass and now is critical of it? PS do any of you know who that 47% are? You know the ones Romney does NOT care about ??? I DO!

• BrianO | Oct 14, 2012, 11:37 AM EDT

  I don't know but Barry kinda looks like spock in the above picture, If only he were more logical.

• mreinhar2001 | Oct 14, 2012, 11:30 AM EDT

  Grinnin Joe does not represent Irish American behavior in my neck of the woods. Brash, boorish, rude, and willing to laugh at the discussion of the ambassador's murder in Libya is how Biden presented himself. Those may be New Yorker Maureen's and Roberts' valued behaviors, but they are not Irish-American behaviors.

• Mairin67 | Oct 14, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT

  I believe Mr. Romney got away with wuite a few rude and arrogant interruptions but the "liberal media" let him away with it. Why I do not know. But funny to hear all the repub whiners go on and on and on about Biden....cuz once again, that's all ya got.

• Sarge524 | Oct 14, 2012, 11:25 AM EDT

  "Ryan appeared nervous?" Beg to differ, he appeared presidential especially compared to the lunacy of Biden.

• katieherk | Oct 14, 2012, 11:17 AM EDT

  Congrats on telling the truth about only one thing.... that Obama lost to Romney. On the other hand, lied about Biden... he did not win, or as you put it, Catholic wakeup call. He was rude, rash, kept interrupting (some 60 times) and was padded on the back by the moderator. He lied throughout his blubberings. Gosh, Maureen, when are you gonna see what he's is doing and will continue to do to our country/

• Big Paul | Oct 14, 2012, 11:17 AM EDT

  Joe was a demeaning jerk, interrupting and telling lies. And his answer on Catholic values should have everyone upset.

• seagreen | Oct 14, 2012, 11:10 AM EDT

  It is all about Wall Street trying to get their hands on money belonging to people that do not deal with investments stocks and bonds. They cannot stand to see this money in escrow without them having access to it !!! Getting at this money is called "Privitizing Social Security" Paul Ryan is a shill for the people behind this. Everything else is window dressing...

• BippyBellito | Oct 14, 2012, 11:05 AM EDT

  Obama....and Biden are Blowhards. They both have been exposed as Fools. How many times have we seen this act in the Pubs. One where the drunken old uncle comes in, mocking everyone, threatening those against him, and wants everyone else to pay for his drinks. Meet Joe Biden.

• hermitTalker | Oct 14, 2012, 11:04 AM EDT

  Mr Biden totally denied the reality of the HHS Mandate that is quite well-known and missed answering the 731 billion from SS and medicare to prop up their health care plan, as Mr Ryan said, and repeated "You cannot spend the same money twice."Mr Biden's rude 92 interrupted rant,m 32 times by the Moderator made it so much easier for Mr Romney to trounce him with his failed 3.5 years of no proven track record, the un-constitutional HHS Mandate that has stirred up Evangelicals and Catholics to oppose them, and added how many to vote against them not to mention its cost, the abortion funding overseas and the re-definition of marriage both of which put God firmly against them. That is a real agenda, see history for proof.

• Bairbre | Oct 14, 2012, 10:55 AM EDT

  "Dowd believes that Biden gave Obama a second chance", Maureen Dowd has stated that Joe Biden delivered an “Irish Catholic wake up”. What Joe delivered and what Dowd is dishing out is the ole Irish saying: Gobshite: which is defined as one who engages in nonsensical chatter, a person of very poor judgment and unpleasant character. This is exactly what Joe's hysterical banter and every time Ryan was exposing factual information, Joe had to cut him off so that people could not hear the truth. That was 82 instances where the facts were not allowed out. Biden, et al, cannot afford a thinking and an educated audience! Just the same ole malarky! Facts are that in Libya, Obama and Biden knew, failed to send rescue and pull their covers over their heads and went to sleep!

• jerrydonovan | Oct 14, 2012, 10:50 AM EDT

  Paul Ryan is a hypocrite.For political expediency he has bought inti Romney's platform.His platform has EXCEPTIONS that allow for abortions.I ask,is a fetus any less valuable in the eyes of God because it was conceived as a result of rape etc..Ryan says that personally that he accepts the church's teaching on the issue of abortion ,but so did Biden.Did I miss something ,has the church made exceptions.

• tom/peggy | Oct 14, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT

  Joe was bombastic but woefully void of facts. What he joked and laughed about was largely made up. Something old joe is famous for. By the way Joe you did vote for the two wars without funding. He is well known for talking a lot and making little sense. He being a heartbeat away from the presidency is truly frightening.

• mcbreen | Oct 14, 2012, 10:37 AM EDT

  Dowd is the last person to speak of Irish-Catholic values, but she also misses the main point: Ryan is part of the GOP's attempt to hi-jack the Catholic vote. The only strategy seems to be keep abortion legal forever, then you forever have an issue. The crazy thing is that the plan seems to work for the GOP.

• weeknocky | Oct 14, 2012, 10:29 AM EDT

  The amazing pro Obama, anti-male, anti-Catholic Maureen. Who cares about her biased opinions?

• Frazettagirl | Oct 14, 2012, 10:18 AM EDT

  Paul Ryan, Roman Catholic, showed intelligence, courage, poise and reserve and refused to be bullied by a bizarre Joe Biden. Joe Biden is not a Roman Catholic. He's an abortion supporter and for that he has excommunicated himself from the Church. The Catholic church is very clear on this issue: If you support abortion and you vote for a politician who supports abortion, you put your immortal soul in peril. Biden can call himself a Catholic but he'll have to answer for that someday. May God have mercy on his soul.

• mylodt46556 | Oct 14, 2012, 09:58 AM EDT

  VP Biden exhibited classic presentations of early onset Alzheimer's disease. While he seemed to have a command of a diversity of facts, he would miss mayor parts of the fact he was stating. The laughing and interrupting is not only evident at an Irish Thanksgiving but in Alzheimer's patients. Sucks for him and US if this is the case.

• jetsnoone | Oct 14, 2012, 09:39 AM EDT

  No, Joe's rude antics are accepted, and even praised by the media because he is a Democrat, not because that is the Irish way.... I didn't see Kennedy or Reagan behaving that way. Joe embaressed us all with his support of Roe v. Wade....baby killng is not the Irish way, Maureen.