I disagree. That was Joe sober.

Maybe someday the APA will add "Joe being Joe" to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual.

I have two working theories, in addition to dementia. Gin martinis or nitrous oxide.

First he laughs and grins, uncontrollably, for over an hour, then, like the switch is flipped, he's sooooooooooooo serious.

WEIRD!

I'm not a psychiatrist, but I know a butthead when I see one. That alone splains Joe quite well.

Dr. Ablow is the psychiatrist Lou Dobbs has on frequently to discuss pResident 0bama's mental health.
Dr. Ablow says “Obama seems to suffer from malignant narcissism whereby he feels he is exceptional, acts like he is exceptional and his followers believe he is exceptional. On the basis of his followers opinion, Obama feels even more justified in his exceptionalism...”

Charles Krauthammer, PhD (a trained psychiatrist) asks: Does the narcissism of this man ()bama) know no bounds?

So we have an alcoholic and a malignant narcissist ruining/running the country and 47% couldn't be bothered. Thank goodness we still have 53% sane people on board.
Would be great if the election ended up 53% Romney and 47% 0bama. The irony.

#1, I've thought the same thing. His odd behavior isn't restricted to his inappropriate laughter during the debate, but there is a medical condition called Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), one of the symptoms is laughing at inappropriate times. It can occur in people who have had a stroke, brain trauma, Alzheimer’s, etc. (After the debate I did a little googling).

Remember that odd picture with the biker chick sitting in his lap? Talk about inappropriate behavior. He's almost 70 years old, married, and the Vice-President of the United States! I don't mean to make light of any medical condition here, I just think there must be some explanation. Other that that he's just a weirdo with no business one heartbeat away from the White House.

Sorry, I forget who said this but it's funny...'we'll call these the dental debates because in the first one obama was given novacaine and in the second biden was given laughing gas.'

Alvarez doesn't like the unflattering things that Ablow says and he attempts to discredit Ablow by saying he's inconsistent. However, Alvarez does not (and cannot) defend Biden himself because what Ablow says rings true with most viewers. If it doesn't then Biden isn't harmed by what Ablow says, so why fret?

Sorry, I meant to say OP!

Biden's antics were quite intentional. He wanted to make Ryan mad, then Joe would go all Pit Bull on Ryan. Ryan never reacted to Joe's increasingly frantic antics, so Joe just came off looking like an out-of-control drunk/boor/lunatic, take your pick. Ryan did exactly what he had to do: he didn't react to Biden's baiting.

So Dr Keith strikes a blow (Ablow) against Joe.

(Sorry. I couldn't resist)

There was an Op/Ed piece in Forbes back in August (8/20/2012)entitled: Joe Biden's Gaffes Call For A Thorough Neurological Examination that suggested the same thing.

The column listed all of the "gaffes" that Biden has made ... and reached a conclusion about his behavior.

A drunk may become dry, but STILL not be sober. I spent my entire childhood growing up with an alcoholic, who from time to time dried out, but never acted sober. They have been drunk for decades and believe that their drunk behavior is their correct behavior and know nothing else.
Joe Biden is just like the person I knew.

Biden has had two separate brain surgeries in years past. There may be something there to explain his odd behavior.

I agree with #4.

Or is on drugs, or is just a jester in real life, or is simply a circus clown...I choose all of the above!

"Once air touches your brain, you are never the same."

Biden had a couple of drinks before the debate, and probably afterwards. The dementia is alcohol related. His IQ is average, but he doesn't apply himself, so his answers are not likely to have anything to do with the subject. He will never quit politics, because he knows he is nothing without the power.

Re: Biden's "mood change" towards the end of the debate. I've seen that abrupt change in behavior in a long-time alcohol abuser. The person in question could socialize & schmooze at parties & seemed to be having a good time & did not appear drunk. I was counting his drinks and knew that he had quite a few (he was what they call a high-functioning drunk). Suddenly, he would get a far-away, glassy stare & became almost semi-catatonic & morose. I would not put it past Biden to have had a few belts before the debate.

Thanks to the poster for sharing this. I saw it live and loved his analysis. It scares the heck out of me that this person is a "heartbeat" away from being President. It shows the poor, poor judgement of Obama.

I really think everyone is missing this. He wasn't drunk or crazy, that's just the way he is. He's a bully. I used to know guys like that...just laugh and smile and put you down, then get real serious and almost threatening. This is bullying behavior. I have seen it in business--a boss who doesn't like someone scoffing at an idea--in order to make him look like he "get's it" and the other guy look foolish.

It's non-physical bullying, and Biden is great at it. He's just running by the liberal playbook.

Let's not try to over-think this and make medical or drug excuses for the guy. This was the real man.

It isn't that hard to explain. He is a loudmouthed bully who has learned you CAN tell a bold lie if you are emphatic about it. It comes from living in DC his entire life. A low ball lawyer by training, he knows the media and how to play it and he feels entitled from being a 'lawmaker,' to do whatever he wants. None of the laws he participates in, affect him, so why should he worry about ANY thing he does? He pretends to be a 'working' man and enough people, at least in Delaware, believe him.

Ablow is excellent. I have never heard him say anything that was not well-reasoned.

Now, who is Alex Alvarez? She apparently moved from Media Bistro (what's that?) to Mediaite amidst much insider fanfare.

Her qualifications to question, let alone threaten the career of, Dr. Ablow - or his appearances on Fox News? Zero.

So pipe down or we'll send you to your room for a timeout.

I beg to differ with the good doctor. The behavior we saw was planned, practiced and deliberate. It was right out of the Alinsky playbook, which reminds:

"Ridicule is man's most potent weapon."

Biden came across to me as mildly maniacal. Actually that's not too unusual for a strong liberal, it's just unusual for your normal human being.

Alex Alvarez:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/SO%20ALEX%20GOES%20INDEED.jpg

Poor Joe had a brain aneurysm 24-25 years ago. Doesn't anyone else remember this? And he had several seizures after that diagnosis/surgery. Perhaps the sequela to a brain aneurysm is this type of behavior, years later.

Or he could have Organic Brain Syndrome, from drink.

Or indeed it could be as #21 says -- he's a bully, an abusive intimidating bully. I was married to someone like that.

Oh! Now I recognize the antics of Biden. No disparaging but he is, after all, Irish. Most of my Irish Uncles and my dad were alcoholics and died of dementia. Also had a bullying streak. Considered themselves macho Irish men who could do anything amoral and treat their women disgracefully. Remember the Kennedys? And lookie here: Old Joe exhibits some of those qualities. Go figure. I laughed at Dr. Ablow's comments.

I understand that Biden claims never to have taken a drink. If so it can't be that.

Romney debated Big Bird. Ryan debated Loony Bird.

#14 why 2 brain surgeries? Perhaps the first one couldn't find his brain and the second one filled the cavity with horse apples.

No matter why Biden did it, it was not a good idea, because it simply didn't work.

#28,

Paul Ryan is Irish as well, yet he has a sharp mind, an even temper and a likeable personality. He's a number cruncher extraordinaire, and he's demonstrated that we can trust him with our nation's finances. I really don't think nationality is an issue here, and stereotypes can't explain what's going on.

Brain surgery isn't the same as wart removal surgery, and the fact Biden's had two is certainly worth our concern.

I think it probably is a combination of all of these things..he did have the 2 brain anuerysm's .I did read several months ago on a blog that a doctor had a name for what he had..seems like it started with an L.wish I had written it down..He will start rambling, about nothing that concerns the topic..then he will stop..etc. like he has no internal filter....says bizarre things..

Is there a diagnosis like "Just Plain Nuts"?

As I recall his brain surgery had to do with two "berry" aneurysms. They usually take care of these with a nonsurgical procedure involving a coil, but I believe that one of Joey's began to leak - a medical emergency.

Re #34, the only L word I saw used to describe him (other than liar) was "loquacious". Talkative. Extremely so.

Better to consult the Looney Tunes shrink -
"Verst case I've evah zeen!"

How about "hypomania"? He seems to fit in here:

http://www.essortment.com/mental-health-tips-signs-hypomania-16707.html

"as-sphincter said "what".