WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Chris Van Hollen Preps Biden For Debates

By: Matt Laslo // September 28, 2012
Play associated audio
comments
Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen speaks at the 2010 legislative conference.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/afge/4379686167/
Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen speaks at the 2010 legislative conference.

The presidential campaign is moving into one of its final stages: debate season. Both sides are polishing their speaking styles and trying to prepare for anything their opponents may throw at them. Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen has been spending a lot of time prepping Vice President Joe Biden.

The Maryland congressman is the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, which is chaired by Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Van Hollen says that gives him a leg up, but his work in preparing Biden will continue right up to the last minute.

"I've been looking at material," says Van Hollen. "I obviously know the lines pretty well. I listen to my colleague Paul Ryan every day, so I know the lines, and I know the way he likes to present issues. He's a tough debater. He's been in the arena."

The presidential and vice presidential debates are one of the last opportunities for the two sides to win over undecided voters, so each campaign throws everything they have into their preps. The vice presidential debate is scheduled for Oct. 11 in Danville, Ky.

Arts & Culture

NPR

Cannes Film Festival Keeps Kenneth Turan Coming Back

David Greene talks with Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan about some of the movies at this year's Cannes Film Festival in France. They include a standout from American director Alexander Payne called Nebraska. Turan first covered the movie festival 42 years ago.

Food

NPR

In Raw Milk Case, Activists See Food Freedom On Trial

Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.

Politics

NPR

IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members

On Wednesday, Lois Lerner, the IRS official overseeing the tax-exempt organizations office, refused to testify during a hearing on Capitol Hill, and was attacked by some Republicans on the House committee. Her brief appearance was the beginning of a five-hour session marked by angry outbursts and allegations of political motives.

Technology

NPR

How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started

You've probably seen it in your inbox before: Someone who claims to have come into a fortune needs your help. You can share in the profits — if you send along a deposit or your bank account number. Boston Globe correspondent Finn Brunton talks about the history of the "Nigerian prince" or "419" scam, which actually got its start long before email.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.