Political analysts differ widely on Biden-Ryan debate

CLEVELAND - Political analysts Lee Weingart and Peter Lawson Jones watched the vice presidential debate between Vice President Joe Biden and challenger Paul Ryan in chairs separated by just a few feet, that's not to say they saw the same thing.

The two watched the debate while chatting with readers on newsnet5.com.  

Democrat Jones saw a performance by Vice President Joe Biden that put the Democratic debate train back on track. "I think that he was robust, I thought he showed great energy, I thought he clearly showed a command of foreign policy, domestic policy," he said.

Republican Weingart didn't see it that way. "I think after tonight you have to question why Joe Biden is on the ticket," he said. "He was laughing, he was giggling he seemed like he wasn't even at the same debate that Paul Ryan was half the night."

Biden smiled frequently throughout debate at the answers given by Ryan but Peter Lawson Jones said he could relate. "I've probably been in about twenty to thirty debates at least myself and often times you have to smile as opposed to getting up and throttling your opponent when you feel that they're being disingenuous, less than straight forward."

As for Ryan, Weingart applauded the Wisconsin congressman for his performance. "I thought he did a great job for a guy, his first time on the national stage. He looked nervous at first but was very composed," said Weingart.

Composed is also how Jones described Biden especially when it came to relating to people. "I don't know if there's an elected official on the national level who is any better at reaching out and touching the heartstrings and the emotions of the blue collar workers across this country," he said.

The lively debate over debates will continue on newsnet5.com on Tuesday as the presidential candidates go head to head in the their second debate.