Is Laughter Becoming a Vice...President?

During the only Vice Presidential Debate in Danville, Kentucky, one could not help but notice sitting Vice President Joe Biden's laughing demeanor.



Biden was chosen four years ago by President Obama to give gravitas to the ticket particularly on foreign policy.  Will attentive votes who watched the debate have such an impression as Biden from the debate?  As his opponent ticked off facts about the mess in the Maghreb, Biden  condescendingly smirked during answers about Ambassador Steven's assassination in Libya, or as the Vice President lied about the facts in the September 11th attack.

Some playful pundits suggested a drinking game during the debate every time old "Lunch Bucket Joe" mentioned the term Scranton.  In that sense, Biden's performance was a sobering affair.  The Vice President focused his faux smile to dismiss his opponent as he interrupted GOP V.P. nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI 1st) 83 times in 90 minutes.

This bravado blustery performance may have feed the party faithful with some red meat to sustain them after President Obama's listless demeanor in the Denver debate.  But surely campaign staffers who were ready to rumble must have remembered then Vice President Gore's debate of sighs, where the incumbent lost ground due to public perceptions of personality.   Granted, many already consider Biden to be a fool, but is the independent voter inspired by an insufferable boor?

Vice Presidential debates do not seem to decisively determine a Presidential campaign.  However, they can impact momentum as well as setting a tone.  Biden's boorishness will long be remembered for its egregiousness, but the question for undecided voters may be is laughter becoming a Vice...President, who will be just a heartbeat away from the Oval Office.

h/t: Gary McCoy