Biden, Ryan exchange ideas, insults in only VP debate

DANVILLE, Ky - If you were done watching Major League Baseball and bored watching the Tennessee Titans, Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Vice Presidential pick Paul Ryan didn't disappoint.

During their only 90-minute debate a Centre College Thursday, each candidate hurled insults, smirks, and smiles while debating foreign policy and domestic spending. But perhaps the bigger story of the night was how aggressive Biden was when answering Ryan's criticism of the Obama Administration.

Vice President Joe Biden (left), ABC's Martha Radditz, and Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan. Photo: AP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biden labeled Ryan's version of the events in Libya as "a bunch of malarkey." He also smiled and frequently interrupted Ryan throughout most of the debate - leaving conservatives fuming, liberals cheering, and pundits wondering whether it would help or hurt their re-election campaign.

But perhaps the biggest thing Biden pulled off was that he would not allow anything charge from Ryan to left unchallenged - something that was lacking during the first debate between President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney.

"Facts matter," he said.

At the same time, Ryan kept his cool responding to Biden and answering questions from ABC's Martha Radditz, the debate's moderator. Later, Ryan told Biden that he was not only "under duress to make up for lost ground" from last week's debate performance from Obama. He lectured Biden that people would become better informed from the issues without interrupting each other and then zinged him.

"Sometimes the words don't come out of your mouth the right way," Ryan said.

On Twitter, Facebook, and television, pundits called this a tie for both candidates heading into next presidential debate on Tuesday.

Other observations:
- Biden is 69 while Ryan is 42. It's the largest age gap between vice presidential candidates in an election year, according to NBC's Brian Williams.
- Like Obama, Biden wore a blue tie while Ryan sported a red tie like Romney.
- Biden sat on the right side of the debate table while Ryan sat on the left. Romney sat on the right side during the first debate and showed passion and energy against Obama, who lacked passion and attempted to play it safe like Ryan.

Frowning and scowling a popular theme for incumbents

As I was driving to and from work today, I reflected on President Barack Obama's performance (or lack thereof) against Mitt Romney, his Republican challenger for the White House.

Specifically, it was Obama's facial expressions and overall tone not only with Romney, but with PBS' Jim Lehrer, the debate's moderator. Obama looked annoyed, perturbed, and snippy - which took away that cool, crisp, poised person we've grown accustomed to since he took that national stage at the 2004 Democractic National Convention. And a big thing that's helped Obama is the use of teleprompters on the campaign trail and his time in the White House.

Mitt Romney and President Obama in the first debate Wednesday.

But then I remembered another president who faced similar challenges in his first debate with a challenger. It was none other than George W. Bush, who ran for re-election in 2004 against John Kerry, his Democratic rival.

Like Obama, Bush was ahead in the polls and had enough support heading into the first debate that would coast him to another term. And like Romney, Kerry's biggest campaign flaw is that he flip-flopped the issues.

But during their first debate on September 30, 2004, Kerry successfully hit Bush on economic and foreign policy measures. Instead of offering tactful responses, Bush stumbled with his responses and occasionally flashed a scowled toward his opponent.

Let's face it. It's tough running for re-election when you're President of the United States and the economy is in the tank. It's worse when your supporters and members of the press are expecting you to mop the floor with your challenger during the debate - only it sets you up for failure.

John Kerry and President Bush at their first debate Sept. 30, 2004

And if Obama didn't seem with it or too cautious, it's because he was. While listening to National Public Radio on the drive home Wednesday, national correspondent Mara Liasson touched on the high expectations of both candidates - with Romney needing a strong performance and Obama having a lot of debate ammo with Bain Capital and "the 47 percent."

But then she played an interesting soundbite of Obama sounding less charismatic while downplaying the upcoming debate. It then got me thinking if Obama would just take it easy instead of forcefully going after his opponent and Republicans in Congress.

It turns out Obama struggled against Romney's attacks on national television and allowed himself to get zinged not once, but twice.

As I said Wednesday, this isn't the end of the election and Obama still has time to rebound from this. Only now he has to prove that Romney's performance was not only a fluke, but that Romney presented half-truths and lies about his policies - something fact checkers pointed out Thursday morning.


Whatever happens, I just hope Big Bird doesn't become the trending topic on Twitter.

Romney strong in first debate; Obama too cautious

DENVER -Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney came out swinging like a challenger taking on a boxing champion Wednesday night.

And a lot of his hits against President Barack Obama stung - knocking the incumbent off his game and leaving him to struggle with explanations and defenses on Obamacare, the economy, and Medicare, among other topics.

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama

After enduring weeks of negative headlines and doubts from Republican and conservative activists, Romney may have given them some hope about defeating Obama Nov. 3. NBC Political Director Chuck Todd opined that Romney came off as someone who knew details of his plan. Romney even zinged Obama by saying, "Mr. President, you're entitled to your own airplane and your own house, but not your own facts."

Obama, meanwhile, struggled to reiterate why his health care plan was beneficial to Americans. He also did a poor job playing to the camera while addressing viewers and rarely addressed Romney while responding - unless it was to give him a look of annoyance.

But the biggest surprise was that Obama didn't address Romney's comment about 47 percent of Americans who are victims dependent on government - the very comment that led to the negative headlines.

Overall, this debate was interesting - although both candidates were a bit long-winded at times with truths, half-truths, and lies. It didn't help that Big Bird and the debate's moderator, Jim Lehrer, are sure to become popular headlines than the candidates' plans for the country.

Romney said he would cut funding to programs such as Public Broadcasting Service despite his love for Big Bird and Lehrer himself.

Lehrer, meanwhile, lost control of the debate and struggled to keep the candidates on topic and to wait their turn to speak. Most notably, Romney wouldn't allow Lehrer to interject when his time was up or while Obama was responding to a question. Heck, even Obama got a little snippy with Lehrer, at one point saying, "I had five seconds until you interrupted me."

The good news for Obama and Democrats is that they have time to rebound before their next debate Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in New York. And as gaffe-prone as Vice President Joe Biden is, he knows how to debate and will be able to debate effectively against Paul Ryan, Romney's VP pick on Oct. 11.

I'll be writing thoughts and analysis about these debates and other news topics from now until Nov. 4. All arguments and opinions are encouraged.

I am back!

It has been a little more than two months since my last blog entry, and a few of things have happened.

First, the Vikings are finally getting a new stadium. All it took was a visit from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Steelers president Art Rooney to (finally) motivate Minnesota legislators to do something or risk the franchise relocating to another state. It was a bitter battle and I am not sure what kind of impact this will have on legislators in the November general elections. At this point, my guess is the DFL will take back of the Minnesota Senate, while the Republican Party holds on to the Minnesota House.

Second, as predicted, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney secured enough delegates to become the Republican nominee for the presidential election against President Barack Obama. It's going to be a close race and things seem to be stacked up against Obama at the moment. However, anything is possible between now and then. So brace yourself for a long four-and-a-half months of negative campaign attacks from both candidates and other political action committees.

Third, Texas Congressman Ron Paul is still making an impact on American politics - especially in Minnesota - even though he will not be the Republican nominee in November. Paul's supporters outnumbered traditional Republicans at the Republican State Convention in May. It was there that Minnesota Rep. Kurt Bills of Rosemount secured the nomination to take on U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the general election in November. Polls have shown Klobuchar leading Bills by double digits.

Fourth, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker survived a recall election against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, his 2010 gubernatorial opponent. Democrats and labor groups collected enough signatures for a recall after Walker and a Republican-controlled Legislature stripped away collective bargaining rights for public unions (except for public safety). Democrats and labor groups, however, did a poor job executing their message and even caused some Democratic-leaning voters to vote for Walker out of protest for the recall election. Walker won the recall with 53 percent of the vote to Barrett's 46 percent. Walker will finish his first term as governor and will be up for re-election again in 2014.

My apologies for taking some time away from this post. I will try to get back to the daily grind of writing and analysis on top news stories in politics, sports, and entertainment. Thank you for your continued interest in this blog.

Legislator says Bountygate punishments negatively impact New Orleans

Saints head coach Sean Payton shouldn't be suspended for the entire 2012 season for his role in Bountygate. Instead, he should be fined so that the city of New Orleans doesn't suffer any financial setbacks if the Saints take a competitive dive.

Louisiana Rep. Cameron Henry

At least that's what Louisiana Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Jefferson said in a phone conversation with me Friday. Earlier this week, Henry authored a non-binding resolution asking the NFL to reconsider the punishments handed out to the New Orleans Saints after the team was caught running a bounty program during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the resolution was passed unanimously in the Louisiana Senate Wednesday (the entire resolution can be read here), and had earlier been passed in the House. It states that the Saints have provided "magical moments" for the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, the Gulf Coast region, while Louisiana taxpayers have helped them with their success by supporting stadium improvements, building new practice facilities for the team, and other incentives.

Henry believes that the punishments are excessive and will have negative economic impacts on the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Without Payton, Henry said the Saints would not be the winning team they are now and that the suspensions would have a negative economic impact on the region.

Instead, Henry proposed that the NFL impose steep fines on Payton and other coaches instead of suspending them outright  – something that was left out of the resolution, but relayed to me during our conversation Friday.

News of the resolution came the day before Saints head coach Sean Payton, along with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt were appealing their suspensions for their roles in Bountygate. Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season for over-seeing a program that rewarded players for critically injuring opposing players. Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was suspended indefinitely, ran the program and is not appealing the punishment. The NFL also suspended Loomis for eight games and Vitt for six games. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to rule on the appeals in the coming days.

As you can imagine, I was a little perturbed with this resolution and took Henry's attempts as a slap on the wrist. I emailed him Thursday expressing my disgust and said why the punishments were justified. An audio of Williams' speech the night before the Saints playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers only added fuel to the fire when he called for Saints players to injure specific players (warning: it contains vulgar language and is not suitable for children).

However, Henry offered to call me directly to discuss the resolution and offer any misconceptions I might have, which surprised since I am not a Louisiana resident.

During our 17-minute conversation on Friday, we hashed out our opinions about the resolution. I maintained that the punishment was justified while he maintained it was excessive and punishes the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana more than anything.

But unlike the way it's perceived in the resolution, Henry doesn't believe Payton should be let off the hook entirely. In fact, he said he was embarrassed to have this news come out and negatively impact the reputations the Saints organization, along with the city of New Orleans. The fines which he suggested could be in the millions provide a respectable alternative compared to what some Saints fans wearing "Free Sean Payton" T-shirts suggest, which is to exonerate him from any punishment.

Henry conceded that the NFL is going to hand out its decision and that there was nothing he nor any of his legislative colleagues can do to prevent that. But he wanted to let the NFL know how it would negatively impact the region if the suspensions are held. Only time will tell.

Who dat, Saints?

If you play with fire, you get burned.

Sure, it sounds cliché. But New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton didn't believe the message and neither did ex-Saints (and current St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator) Gregg Williams. But after carrying on with a bounty program for the past three seasons and then continuing to lie about it, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had enough.

Saints head coach Sean Payton and ex-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. AP

On Wednesday, Goodell suspended Payton without pay for the entire 2012 season effective April 1, and suspended Williams indefinitely, effective immediately. Goodell will review Williams' status at the conclusion of the 2012 season.

Just to get you caught up, Saints players and Williams ran a bounty program to reward players for hits on opposing players during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. The program was primarily funded by players and violated NFL rules. According to news reports, the program included bounty payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them being removed from the game. In some instances, the amounts pledged were big and were directed against specific opposing quarterbacks such as Kurt Warner, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Cam Newton.

One of the most egregious offenses was when Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a defensive captain, offered $10,000 to any player who knocked Favre out of the NFC Championship game in New Orleans on Jan. 24, 2010.  If you watched the game or seen highlights, you would have seen Favre on the receiving end of cheap, malicious hits from Saints defensive players.

Others suspended included Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt. Loomis was suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games in the 2012 season while Vitt was suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.
In addition, the Saints were fined $500,000 and will forfeit their second-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts. The Saints and other individuals disciplined are also expected to participate in efforts to develop programs that will instruct on a variety of topics including:
• Respect for the game and those who participate in it
• The principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship
• To ensure bounties will not be part of football at any level.

As you can imagine, this decision was not met well by Payton, Williams, Saints fans, and even quarterback Drew Brees. Payton was apparently stunned  by the suspension. Williams was said to be remorseful and apologetic about everything. Saints fans took to ESPN and other social media websites defending the bounties by proclaiming every team does it. 

But perhaps the most disappointing response was from Brees, who was  "speechless" and called Payton "a great man, coach, and mentor." He further stated he needed an explaination why Payton was suspended for the entire season as opposed to just four games  – something Payton and the rest of the Saints staff were preparing for due to the seriousness of the investigation.

I am not as sympathetic. And as far as I am concerned, they can all cry me a river.

Payton seemed more concerned about losing out on a $7.5 million salary than acknowledging any wrongdoing. Williams' apology was too little, too late given his history of running bounty programs in the NFL. And since Brees was so quick to defend Payton and his teammates, perhaps he would also like to defend perpetrators of domestic violence too?

Let's face it, the Saints played dirty and got away with it for three seasons, and then lied to investigators. The team and their fans exploited the Hurricane Katrina tragedy for long enough and eventually got their wish from the NFL to bring a Lombardi Trophy home to the Big Easy – tainting whatever special season they had down the drain.

Goodell has not announced punishments against any players involved. But there are between 22 and 27 players involved who will be facing steep fines and suspensions for participating in Bountygate. Given the unprecidented punishment handed down to Payton and Williams Wednesday, any player who is still in the NFL and was a part of Bountygate better have enough money saved up and consider temporary employment elsewhere. Otherwise, it's going to be a long season and eventually an unpleasant retirement from professional sports.

Who dat? Who dat? NFL just beat da Saints, dat who!

NFL must truly go medieval on the Saints, players, and Williams

January 24, 2010 is a day I will never forget.

It was the day of the National Football Conference Championship between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. It was one of the most exciting playoff games ever in NFL history. But the end result left a bad taste in my mouth.

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre takes a vicious hit by Saints players in 2009. AP

It wasn't just because the Saints beat the Vikings in overtime 31-28. It was also due to the cheap, dirty tactics that Saints players put on Vikings quarterback Brett Favre throughout the game - trying take him out of the game by maliciously trying to injure him.

For years, the National Football League and other NFL fans had ignored this fact and passed it along as the way football was meant to be played. It should also be noted that New Orleans was still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina in 2009, and the Saints "magical" season provided a feel good story heading into Superbowl XLIV, in which they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.

But after numerous complaints from opposing players and a lengthy investigation by NFL's security department, news came out Friday that Saints players and their defensive coordinator Gregg Williams maintained a bounty program to reward players for hits on opposing players during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons. The program was primarily funded by players and violated NFL rules.

According to news reports, the program included bounty payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them being removed from the game. In some instances, the amounts pledged were big and were directed against specific opposing players.

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre gets hit by Saints players in 2009. AP

One of the alleged bounties was from Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma who offered $10,000 to knock Favre out of the NFC Championship Game. Favre was hit numerous times throughout the game - at times after he got rid of the ball. He also sustained a hit to the leg after throwing an interception that briefly took him out of the game to get his ankle treated on the sideline. It was an interception that should have been overturned at the time, NFL officials said after the game.

According to the report, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis failed to stop the bounty program when directed to do so by team owner Tom Benson. Head coach Sean Payton was also aware of the allegations but did not pursue them or take steps to stop the program, according to the report.

The report also said Williams ran a similar bounty program when he was a defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. The Washington Post interviewed four players who admitted Williams ran a system. Only one of them - former defensive lineman Philip Daniels - went on record to admit to the program, but defend Williams.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had also complained last season about the Saints trying to re-injure his ankle during a home game at Mall of America Field in December. Unlike 2009, some in the NFL actually listened. Other players also spoke up and were interviewed for the report - which re-opened an initial investigation whether the Saints played dirty during the NFC playoffs in 2009.

The report's findings are now in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's hands and severe punishments could be in store for the organization, coaches, and players involved. Those punishments include fines, suspensions, and even forfeitures of draft picks for the 2012 draft in April.

Let me be clear: I hope Goodell goes medieval on the asses of everyone involved. I don't care if this cripples the Saints organization for years. They chose to play cheap and dirty. It is time for Karma to do her work and offer payback to the organization, its players, and current and former coaches during the 2009 season.

Then-Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams

One of the best ways to do this is to strip the Saints of all their draft picks for 2012. It should be noted that the Saints traded their first round pick to this year's draft to the New England Patriots. In addition, Goodell should seriously consider stripping the organization of its franchise tag for 2012. The move force the Saints to either sign quarterback Drew Brees to a long term contract, which would cripple the team's salary cap space. Or, it would allow Brees to become an unrestricted free agent and sign with another team.

Williams, who is now a defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, took full responsibility for the program and apologized Friday. But he only apologized after getting caught, and I doubt his apology is sincere. And for that, Goodell should consider banning Williams for an entire season without pay.

As for the players, I expect to hear them to shoot the messenger, deny the allegations like former Saints defensive back Darren Sharper, and even admit and enable that behavior by saying that it's been going on for years, as Sharper pointed out.

I understand that football is a tough, physical game people play to win. But many of these athletes and coaches are supposed to be good stewards for their communities on and off the field. That means being good role models for children and playing the game ethically.

This report not only confirmed my belief that Saints players play dirty to win. It put a black eye on the NFL and tainted the Saints "winning" season. If Goodell is at all concerned about player safety and integrity of the game, send a message and by making examples out of these clowns.

Editor's note: I need to disclose that I am a Vikings fan and am a little biased.