1. Wasn’t the
attack on the U.S. embassy in Libya a massive intelligence failure?
Biden Summation. “We’re going to get whoever did this. We are
going to follow the facts.” Then Biden talks about the wars, and Bin Laden.
Was this an answer to the question? No.
Ryan’s Summation. “The president didn’t say it was a terrorist
attack for two weeks. We should have had marines there. We are projecting
weakness abroad.”
Was this answer to the question? No.
2. To Ryan. Were
Romney’s criticisms of Obama really necessary during the crisis [still talking
about the attack in Libya?
Ryan’s Summation “It’s never too early to speak out about our
values. We should always stand up for peace, democracy and individual rights.
We are projecting weakness.”
Was an answer to the question? No.
Was an answer to the question? No.
Biden’s Summation. “None of that is accurate. The congressman
here cut embassy security budgets. Before Romney knew the facts he was out
making political statements.” Ryan goes on to talk about Russia and China.
Was this an answer to the question? No.
Was this an answer to the question? No.
3. What were you first told about the attack? There were
no protestors, but armed men instead. Why were we told for weeks that there
were protestors?
Biden’s Summation.
Intellegence was updated. We are not told more security was needed, we did not
know that. We knew what the intelligence community told us.
Answer the question? Yes. We were not told because intelligence changed.
Answer the question? Yes. We were not told because intelligence changed.
4. To Ryan. Should the U.S. have apologized for burning Korans or
urinating on corpses?
Ryan. Yes, we should apologize for urinating on corpses, but
not for standing up for what we believe in. Says nothing about the Koran. Ryan
goes back to talking about the embassy.
Did it answer the question? Yes for urination on corpses, but did not answer the question in regard to burning the Koran.
Did it answer the question? Yes for urination on corpses, but did not answer the question in regard to burning the Koran.
5. Both Obama and Romney have said that Iran must not get nuclear
weapons, even if that means military action. Can the two of you be absolutely clear
and specific to the American people. How effective would a military strike be?
Ryan Summation. We
cannot allow Iran to gain nukes. We have had sanctions on Iran. Mitt Romney and
I were trying to get more sanctions. Obama’s admin blocked these sanctions,
watered them down and delayed them. The key is to do this peacefully. Iran is
moving faster toward a nuclear weapon. They see the U.S. being weak and
indecisive.
Did this answer the question? No.
Did this answer the question? No.
Biden Summation. We
put up the most crippling sanctions in the history of sanctions. I can’t talk
about confidential info, but we can deal a blow to the Iranians militarily. Iran
is far away from gaining nuclear weapons. We will not allow Iran to gain a
nuclear weapon.
Did this answer the question? No.
6. What is worse. Another war in the Middle East, or a nuclear armed Iran?
Ryan. I nuclear armed Iran is worse.
Was it an answer? Yes.
Biden. War should always be the last resort.
Was it an answer? No.
7. Can you get unemployment to under six percent and how long will it take?
Biden. Yes we can, but no we don’t know how long it will take. The economy was in freefall, we lost 1.6 trillion in wealth. We rescued GM and cut taxes for the middle class. Romney said, no let Detroit go bankrupt.
Did it answer the question. Yes.
Ryan. Job growth is slower than it was, things are getting worse. This is not what a real recovery looks like. We have a five point plan, goes into plan. Romney is a good man. Attacks Obama admin.
Did this answer the question? No.
8. Will benefits for Americans under SS and medicare have to change?
Ryan. Yes this will have to change.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Biden. We cut cost of medicare. We extended the life of medicare to 2024. Attacks Romney ticket.
Did this answer the question? No.
9. To Ryan. What is your specific plan for senior who can’t afford to make up the different in the value of what you call a premium support plan?
Ryan. We have a plan. A democrat from Oregon endorses it.
Did this answer the question? No.
10. To Biden. Why don’t we do as Ryan’s plan suggests?
Biden. We made the system solvent till 2033. We will not be a part of any voucher plan. They don’t keep pace with health care costs.
Did this answer the question? No.
11. If you’re ticket is elected, who will pay more in taxes, who will pay more.
Biden. Middle class will pay less, wealthy will pay more.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Ryan. Goes into tax rates and data regarding small businesses. Don’t raise deficit, don’t raise taxes on the middle class.
Does it answer the question. No.
12.To Ryan. Do you actually have the specifics for your plan?
Ryan. Lower tax rates across the board by 20%. Deny loopholes and deduction to high income individuals.
Did this answer the question? No, too general. States principles of action not specifics.
Did this answer the question? No.
6. What is worse. Another war in the Middle East, or a nuclear armed Iran?
Ryan. I nuclear armed Iran is worse.
Was it an answer? Yes.
Biden. War should always be the last resort.
Was it an answer? No.
7. Can you get unemployment to under six percent and how long will it take?
Biden. Yes we can, but no we don’t know how long it will take. The economy was in freefall, we lost 1.6 trillion in wealth. We rescued GM and cut taxes for the middle class. Romney said, no let Detroit go bankrupt.
Did it answer the question. Yes.
Ryan. Job growth is slower than it was, things are getting worse. This is not what a real recovery looks like. We have a five point plan, goes into plan. Romney is a good man. Attacks Obama admin.
Did this answer the question? No.
8. Will benefits for Americans under SS and medicare have to change?
Ryan. Yes this will have to change.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Biden. We cut cost of medicare. We extended the life of medicare to 2024. Attacks Romney ticket.
Did this answer the question? No.
9. To Ryan. What is your specific plan for senior who can’t afford to make up the different in the value of what you call a premium support plan?
Ryan. We have a plan. A democrat from Oregon endorses it.
Did this answer the question? No.
10. To Biden. Why don’t we do as Ryan’s plan suggests?
Biden. We made the system solvent till 2033. We will not be a part of any voucher plan. They don’t keep pace with health care costs.
Did this answer the question? No.
11. If you’re ticket is elected, who will pay more in taxes, who will pay more.
Biden. Middle class will pay less, wealthy will pay more.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Ryan. Goes into tax rates and data regarding small businesses. Don’t raise deficit, don’t raise taxes on the middle class.
Does it answer the question. No.
12.To Ryan. Do you actually have the specifics for your plan?
Ryan. Lower tax rates across the board by 20%. Deny loopholes and deduction to high income individuals.
Did this answer the question? No, too general. States principles of action not specifics.
13. To Biden. What would you suggest outside of raising taxes on the
wealthy.
Biden. Let tax rates
expire like they are supposed to on those millionaires.
Did this answer the question. Yes.
14. To Ryan. Can you declare anything off limits?
Ryan. Yes.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
15. How do you pay for an increase in defense spending. What national defense issues justify an increase.
Ryan. If this cuts go through out navy will be smaller than its been since WWI. It invites weakness.
Did this answer the question? No.
Biden. We won’t cut it. The cut was part of a debt deal that they [Reps] asked for. We need a smaller, meaner military.
Did this answer the question? No.
16. Why not leave Afghanististan. Why lose more American lives.
Ryan. We cannot leave and lose the gains we’ve gotten.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Biden. We went there for one reason. To get those people who killed Americans. We did that, and in the mean time we helped train the Afghan military. That’s why we agreed on a gradual drawdown and eventually to leave. We can leave. We are leaving in 2014.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
17. To Ryan. What conditions could justify staying?
Ryan. I have a friend there. We don’t want to stay longer than 2014. We are seeing the Obama foreign policy.
Did this answer the question? No.
Did this answer the question. Yes.
14. To Ryan. Can you declare anything off limits?
Ryan. Yes.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
15. How do you pay for an increase in defense spending. What national defense issues justify an increase.
Ryan. If this cuts go through out navy will be smaller than its been since WWI. It invites weakness.
Did this answer the question? No.
Biden. We won’t cut it. The cut was part of a debt deal that they [Reps] asked for. We need a smaller, meaner military.
Did this answer the question? No.
16. Why not leave Afghanististan. Why lose more American lives.
Ryan. We cannot leave and lose the gains we’ve gotten.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Biden. We went there for one reason. To get those people who killed Americans. We did that, and in the mean time we helped train the Afghan military. That’s why we agreed on a gradual drawdown and eventually to leave. We can leave. We are leaving in 2014.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
17. To Ryan. What conditions could justify staying?
Ryan. I have a friend there. We don’t want to stay longer than 2014. We are seeing the Obama foreign policy.
Did this answer the question? No.
18. To Biden. What was the military reason for bringing surge troops
home?
Biden. The joint chiefs suggested it. It takes months and months to draw down forces.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
19. Why not intervene in Syria the way we did in Libya?
Biden. Syria is much larger and has a much higher population. If we get involved and Syria blows up it can cause a regional war. Biden implies that this was not a risk in Libya. The last thing the U.S. needs is another ground war in the Middle East.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Ryan. The longer the Syria civil war lasts, the greater the chance that enemies of the U.S. will gain influence there. Tens of thousands of Syria are dying.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
20. What happens if Assad does not fall in Syria, or does fall.
Ryan. Iran keeps its greatest ally in the region.
Does this answer the question? Yes.
21. What is in your criteria for intervention?
Ryan. Whatever is within the national interest of the American people.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
22. What role has your religion played in your personal views of abortion?
Ryan. I don’t see how a person can separate their personal life from their private life or their faith. I am not pro-life just because I am Catholic, but also because of reason and science. My bean-shaped baby in an ultrasound had a heartbeat.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Biden. My religion defines who am I am. Catholic social doctrine talks about taking care of people who can’t take care of themselves, who need help. I accept the Catholic doctrine on abortion, but I refuse to impose those beliefs on others.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
23. What could you both give to this country that no one else could?
Ryan. Pro-growth policies and working with democrats.
Did this answer the question. No. Other people could do this.
Biden. My record stands for itself. Everything I say I do, and my whole life has been devoted to middle-class people.
Did this answer the question? No. This is not a unique set of qualities.
Biden. The joint chiefs suggested it. It takes months and months to draw down forces.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
19. Why not intervene in Syria the way we did in Libya?
Biden. Syria is much larger and has a much higher population. If we get involved and Syria blows up it can cause a regional war. Biden implies that this was not a risk in Libya. The last thing the U.S. needs is another ground war in the Middle East.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Ryan. The longer the Syria civil war lasts, the greater the chance that enemies of the U.S. will gain influence there. Tens of thousands of Syria are dying.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
20. What happens if Assad does not fall in Syria, or does fall.
Ryan. Iran keeps its greatest ally in the region.
Does this answer the question? Yes.
21. What is in your criteria for intervention?
Ryan. Whatever is within the national interest of the American people.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
22. What role has your religion played in your personal views of abortion?
Ryan. I don’t see how a person can separate their personal life from their private life or their faith. I am not pro-life just because I am Catholic, but also because of reason and science. My bean-shaped baby in an ultrasound had a heartbeat.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
Biden. My religion defines who am I am. Catholic social doctrine talks about taking care of people who can’t take care of themselves, who need help. I accept the Catholic doctrine on abortion, but I refuse to impose those beliefs on others.
Did this answer the question? Yes.
23. What could you both give to this country that no one else could?
Ryan. Pro-growth policies and working with democrats.
Did this answer the question. No. Other people could do this.
Biden. My record stands for itself. Everything I say I do, and my whole life has been devoted to middle-class people.
Did this answer the question? No. This is not a unique set of qualities.
