Vice President Joseph R. Biden’s son on Sunday morning defended his father’s recent debate performance and penchant for smiling and laughing while his opponent discussed serious issues.
“Any time the other side, Karl Rove or other folks on the far right, go after my father for smiling too much, you know that’s a victory,” said Beau Biden, Delaware’s attorney general, during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
The vice president has come under fire for consistently smiling and cackling while his debate opponent, Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican vice presidential hopeful, spoke at last week’s debate. The vice president’s constant amusement also inspired parodies on “Saturday Night Live” and elsewhere.
The younger Mr. Biden said the debate and the larger presidential campaign aren’t about his dad’s smiles or laughs, but rather about the problems facing the nation.
“This isn’t about how much my father smiled or how many gallons of water [Mr. Ryan] drank nervously on that stage,” he said.
