Conventional wisdom is made for one purpose and one purpose only. To be wrong.
The conventional wisdom last week was that Obama would wipe the floor with Romney and we all know how that turned out.
This week's conventional wisdom is that Rep. Paul Ryan, a very smart, wonky, and articulate speaker will wipe the floor with human gaffe machine Vice President Joe Biden.
This is, of course, completely wrong. Why? Because it is almost impossible to beat someone who believes his own lies, I mean really believes them.
We certainly expect that in this debate between two baptized Catholics, a number of important issues about Catholic teaching and the attacks on the Church will be front and center.
In this debate you can expect Paul Ryan to articulate why the attacks on the Church and religious liberty by this administration are wrong and un-American. You can expect Ryan to promote life, reflecting his deeply held Catholic belief. You can expect Ryan to make the case that massive and mounting debt is a moral issue. And you can expect Ryan to make the case for subsidiarity when it comes to the social safety net.
And you can expect Joe Biden to say the exact opposite while boldly claiming that his Catholic faith is front and center in his decision making. He will boldly claim that he's every bit as "good" a Catholic as Ryan while at the same time:
* Supporting government sponsored abortion in Obamacare.
* Supporting an anti-Catholic HHS mandate which forces Catholics and Catholic institutions to violate Church teaching.
* Supporting massive and continued debt spending while saying that any cut to any program regardless of its effectiveness is an attack on the poor, or women, or minorities, or....you name it, and thus unchristian.
How do I know this? Because this is the same man who proudly touts his faith while supporting these things every day.
This is the same man who said he would not begin to question China's murderous one-child policy.
This is a man who danced for joy when he learned the the Supreme Court had upheld abortion in the Casey decision. Danced. For. Joy.
This is the same man who holds all these horrific positions but who said "The next Republican that tells me I'm not religious I'm going to shove my rosary beads down their throat."
How can you defeat someone upon whom logic and morality have no impact? How do you defeat someone who thinks he is the smartest guy in the room while simultaneously promoting two contradictory ideas and when you call him on it says "Damn right I do!" All the while grinning in triumph.
You see, Biden inherited his Catholicism the same way he believes Mitt Romney inherited his money, but unlike Romney he can do whatever he wants with it.
You see, in Joe Biden's mind he is a saint and he wants you to know it. And in a way he is right, because it is hard not to be a saint in a Church of your own making.
I am not sure that any amount of serious discussion or wonkish logic can have any effect on such a man.
How do you defeat a man in a debate who every day defeats his own conscience in debate while still claiming his conscience the victor?
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For me Biden being defeated means that Ryan will wipe the floor with him as Romney did to Obama. It’s extremely likely that neither of the democrats have ever considered that they might be wrong, in regards to anything. My hope is that the voters will know better
I still can’t understand why the bishops allow Nancy and Joe to receive communion. I think that a few of these politicians being barred from the sacraments may not change them, but would show catholics at large that we are serious about the positions we take and the rules that we have.
I think Ryan’s key is going to be to present the contradictions of Biden. Biden might not get it, but the audience will.
How do you defeat a man in a debate who every day defeats his own conscience in debate while still claiming his conscience the victor?
You can’t, that’s God’s work. All that Paul Ryan can do is affirm with confidence what the Church actually teaches in contrast to what Biden says the Church teaches. Biden may decieve himself, but not everyone. God Bless.
It is true. Biden’s rethoric does not speak ‘Catholic’; yet, the woes of ‘‘Roe vs Wade’ will take many more years to reverse than the hopeful thought of having our increasing ‘Hispanic’ population voice heard.
I side with this statement, just read but in my eyes very true to our reality, and decidedly, less discriminatory than Romney’s: “Any votes gained (in January) will be negligible compared to the votes lost to Democrats in November when the children and grandchildren of immigrants – first and second generation Americans – who are not impressed with GOP insensitivity to the plight of immigrants in this country, do not hesitate to side with the presidential and congressional candidates that have consistently worked to simultaneously provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and protect the country from external threats.” (Link: http://www.policymic.com/articles/3734/mitt-romney-newt-gingrich-anti-immigration-rhetoric-in-florida-primary-will-be-costly-come-november)
I am 100% patriotic “puertorrican” American who sides with giving a break to a generation of US-educated Hispanic that grew and feel just as American as US-born in the same age group. Close the borders; but don’t negate the ones already in America. They will contribute much catabolism to our politics.
Romney has specifically stated that he will not take away any rights granted during this time period. So, Hispanics won’t need to be concerned about that issue. I’m not even sure how it relates to this article? Besides, if Hispanics really think this administration ‘cares’, they are mistaken. You are just considered pawns in a game. (Spoken as a Hispanic of Mexican origin.)
Do we already know what questions will be asked during the debate or is it an open question type debate?
You can’t. God will. Pray pray pray. What happened last week was divinely inspired. Did you know there was a Eucharistic procession on the Denver Campus just days before the Romney- Obama debate? That was the Holy Spirit ,people.
Keep praying. Go to adoration. This is serious stuff. This is one of the last countries in the world that is founded on freedom of conscience. This Is a Lepanto moment. Don’t just sit there, get out your beads and pray!
The one voice that should be heard above them both yet always remains so silent no one even knows who he is. Where is Bidens Bishop?
“How do you defeat a man in a debate who every day defeats his own conscience in debate while still claiming his conscience the victor?”
The same way that Romney did with Obama. State your case, challenge the opponent on his, use his weaknesses to your advantage, and never, NEVER let them or the camera see you look away, look down, look bored ... or sweat.
Biden’s bishop is Francis Malooly, who I know as a kind,intelligent, earnest man. I trust he is working quietly and I pray,effectively, on this issue. Our bishops need our prayers!
Count me in as one of the faithful praying for Romney and Ryan! I have been saying the Rosary since September 30th- it is a 40 day devotion. Biden may believe his lies, and his supporters will believe his lies, but Ryan will win over the undecided voters. It would be great if Biden put his foot in his mouth like he usually does, but I am not counting on it. He is receiving 6 days of DNC coaching and will probably be a formidable opponent. I just pray that the Holy Spirit gives Ryan the gift of the tongues and he relates to many sincere Americans concerned about the future of our country. God Bless Paul Ryan- may St. Michael watch over him during the debate, may Jesus inspire him, may the Holy Spirit fortify him, may God protect him. Blessed Mother intercede for us in our prayers to save and restore America.
Ryan should stand up a copy of the Catholic Catechism on his podium facing Biden and ask the VP if he’d like to discuss what is written inside of it.
I will be praying that Our Lady helps him (Biden) to trip up in the same way that I am sure she was interceding to cause President Obama to stumble! If those all important issues of respect for human life, natural marriage, religious freedom do, indeed, enter into the vice presidential debate we pray that the light of truth will be heard by those seeking to discern. Too many Catholic supporters of Obama/Biden just don’t know how the Democratic party has embraced, promoted and advanced the “Culture of Death” through abortion, assisted suicide, contraception, and their attempt to redefine marriage.
If we can fast and pray in advance of the VP debate that Mr. Ryan has the grace of the Holy Spirit to speak the truth, will love and clarity, then we will at least have hope that we can begin to change the course of this country.
In the last Presidential campaign, we did not have a candidate who could even articulate the pro-life, pro-traditional marriage argument, and interestingly enough, the media powers chose to ignore those same issues.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and of the unborn, pray for us!
Posted by Bob on Tuesday, Oct 9, 2012 5:14 AM (EST):Ryan should stand up a copy of the Catholic Catechism on his podium facing Biden and ask the VP if he’d like to discuss what is written inside of it.”
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I don’t think a national election debate’s the appropriate place to do that, but I’d sure like to see that happen, too. Somewhere.
I doubt very much that Paul Ryan is going to mop the floor with Joe Biden. Joe has 30 years in the senate over Paul Ryan and is an excellent debater. Joe Biden is much more aggressive in the debate ring than President Obama. For those of you who think that Joe and Nancy’s bishop needs to deny Holy Communion to them, that is his call, not your’s.
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