Council Bluffs, Iowa (CNN) - In the face of bruising headlines and public opinion that President Obama did not bring his A-game for Wednesday's presidential debate, Vice President Joe Biden rallied to the president's side - disagreeing with dominant public opinion and essentially casting Romney as a flip-flopper.
"I thought the president did well. He was presidential," Biden said after reporters asked him about the president's widely panned debate performance.
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In the next breath, the vice president turned the tables – panning Romney's performance, instead.
"You just never know what … position that Governor Romney is going to come with," Biden said. "I mean, the centerpiece of their economic policy so far has been a tax cut. And last night I, we found out he doesn't have a $5 trillion tax cut."
"I guess he outsourced that to China or something," Biden added. "I don't know if that's off-shored. But it's hard to figure out what Gov. Romney's position is on a number of issues. But I think as time goes on, meaning days, it's going to become pretty clear that Gov. Romney has either changed a number of his positions or didn't remember some of his positions."
Biden's comments came during a stop at a Hy-Vee grocery store in Council Bluffs, ahead of a campaign in the city. They echoed a slam from the president himself. At a Denver campaign event, before Biden's, the president mocked that "the real Mitt Romney" could not have on stage with him.
Both men press that Romney has proposed $5 trillion in tax cuts that would help the wealthy and harm the middle class. Romney repeatedly denied that characterization and insisted his plan would not add to the deficit.
Independent fact checkers have sided against President Obama's claim.
Performing a fact check, CNN anchor John Berman ruled the claim as false because of Romney's intention to offset the tax cuts by eliminating as yet unspecified loopholes and lowering deductions.
Berman rated Romney's claim that his plan would not add to the deficit as incomplete.
Meanwhile, Factcheck.org also ruled the president's claim as false.
From CNN Politics
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Joe Thanks a lot for the mMiddle Class buried comment, Romney used it to full advantage last night.
On the 11th we expect you to take apart the young gun, call him out on the lies, and bring the drama.
After this Obama/Biden can star in a reality tv show - Dumb and Dumber - you guess which is which.
If you run a country the same way that you run a business Mr. Romney, then even more of us will be out of work.
To my knowledge a business is in it for the money. They sit in their board room searching for way to cut the cost to the working individual (their workers), with shady insurance and policy making to effect those workers and eventually laying them off in a way to prevent the paying of unemployment benefits. I do believe that Mr. Romney would run this country like a business, which he will do the same thing that he has his whole life and that is look out for his investment and the special interest people that side with him. Wanna cut the deficit. Cut the pay of the government officials to a point where they can live comfortably, because you know in our country right now there are people that cant say they have any comfort for them or there children.
Romney has a long history as a blatant liar, plus he has "Lyin' Ryan as a running mate. The President was trying to elevate the debate to the Presidential level but Romney was using lies and gross distortions of the truth. President Obama must learn from this debate – Republicans have no need what-so-ever for honesty and no lie is too outrageous. It's time to attack Romney and expose his flip-flopping lies. He is a man with no honor and must be treated as such.
Obama 2012
The Commission on Presidential Debates undermines our democracy. Because of the Commission's subservience to the Republican and Democratic campaigns, the presidential debates are structured to accommodate the wishes of risk-averse candidates, not voters.
This illustrates the danger of the Obama administration. It is based on dillusion at its core and surrounded by either the moron (see Biden) or silent incompetents (see Hillary).
Oh, By the way John Sununu from New Hamshire called President Obama lazy. Code for lazy N and all black people are on welfare and lazy. Shame on him. And why do they keep calling these people governor and senator and congressman when they are no longer in office? Why not former governor.
Bush had a poor performance with his first debate, too. He still won the presidency.
Romney/Ryan : Liar and Liarer.
Obama 2012!!
I think Romney is exactly that. A loose cannon that is flipping flopping cod fish. I believe that he is hiding details for his plan to reform America so that in up coming elections he cannot be held to them. I think he has a lot of work to do in the first week of his presidency if elected.
Biden is a clown and saying stupid things at the top of your voice doesn't make them more believable. Obama and Biden are stuck with each other.
Obama and biden are a vaudville act. Obama slipped on the banana peel last night. Biden's out with the big nose and floppy shoes today.
Joe better pass on a little of his fire to his boss. Last night I was not certain Obama even wanted the job.
"Obama and biden are a vaudville act. Obama slipped on the banana peel last night. Biden's out with the big nose and floppy shoes today."
Why not just dredge up Amos & Andy and be done with it, eh?
Biden vs. Ryan. Biden got chance to win, like Hil. Clinton got chance to win SI swimsuit cover magazine.
Send all the ads mittens talking. Obama12.
I get that there are a lot of Romney haters, and that you love Obama, but that is really not the point of this election. The point is that our country is out of control. Our economy is teeter tottering with absolute collapse, our people have not been so divided since the early 1860's, and nation upon nation have called for our death as a nation. We are at a volitile point in our existence. Obama has not gotten the job done. Would he in the next four years? With so much at stake, and with his record of impotence, I am not willing to give him another try. Who cares if a candidate is likeable, the question is who will get the job done? Obama clearly hasn't. NEXT!
Biden needs to keep his mouth shut and start packing.
Joe Biden is a silly clown!
Why does Obama need to accuse Romney of anything?–you know what they are saying is the truth-your headlines are rude–It apears you make Obama out to be the ANGRY BLACK MAN with a chip on his shoulder. When this camp make a complaint it's seen as whinig–like the polls–this week suddenly Romney is tied up with the President- I want to tust you CNN but you are so Repub–what are you afraid another Rich white man will lose to the Bi-racial President?-So you all go after the President for him
Obama 2008- Hope and Change
Obama 2012- Hope and Change 2, immediately to DVD (not good enough for theaters)
I fail to understand what Obama's plan is that will help us so much. We're in a HUGE mess and it hasn't improved in 4 years. Obama had his chance- he even stated "I'll cut the deficit and unemployment or make me a 1 term president." Now he tries to tell us, "Oh, I didn't realize this job was tough so please give me more time.". No thank you sir.
He's not a flip flopper. There is no time for a flop. He's just a flipper. He changes his positions in mid sentence.
Well for one thing if u look at the facts ull see romney told it the way it was! But u dems want look at the facts! Obama has brought this country down! Of course u dems will blame everyone except obama even when the truth is slapping u in the face. U want the govt to take care of u and everything for u move to china they do the same. Im41 years old me and my wife have sixkids she stay at home i work as a paid firfighter making $42000 a year we dont ask for help and dont want any because we believe in the constution of america . And have seen plenty of obama supporter collecting money on welfare and not trying to go out and get a job!!!
Give it up Joe. LIbbys are coming unglued. Tis very entertaining though.