Ryan vs. Biden! Tonight!

Why the exclamation marks in the title? For me as a psychologist, this across generation debate tonight is an opportunity (for you too) to observe in-action what one of the greatest psychologists in history said about what happens when a young man faces an older man who could be his father. Freud said, “The antagonism is fundamental, a part of the Oedipus Complex. It is especially intense in politics when throughout history older men had sent younger men to die in battle.”  Well, I don’t expect Biden to slaughter Ryan, afer all they are both civilized and tonight have a higher calling in politics that could backfire only if Biden’s ID overwhelms his EGO or SUPEREGO. Here are my predictions:

1. Biden will act more emotional than Ryan.

2. Ryan will be better with facts, numbers and statistics.

3. Their values differences will show a great contrast. Their expressions will be even more diverse than Obama and Romney!

4. Biden will talk a lot about the past, Ryan more about the future.

5. Ryan may help Romney by a percent or two with the young, Biden will not help or hurt Obama with the old.

6. Biden will appeal to older people but not bring them to vote more than expected.

7. Ryan will appeal to younger voters but not bring then to vote more than expected.

8. The debate tonight will not be polite.

9. Psychologists watching the body language and verbal expressions tonight – bring your note-pad with you for a classic Freudian observation.

10. For you, lay people, the best part of watching the debate tonight will be watching a great political movie drama. Enjoy!

Tags: debate, Democrats, ego, election, emotion, father-son war, Freud, future, generation gap, id, past, POLITICS, Psychologists, Republicans, Romney, Ryan, statistics, SUPEREGO, tonight