They came, they blinded, they conquered: Vice President Joe Biden's preternaturally white teeth were an inescapable factor in his Thursday debate showdown with Paul Ryan. Each time the elder statesman grinned and laughed derisively at his rival's "malarkey" — far too often, according to conservative critics — a pearly array that would impress even the grumpiest dentist filled TV screens everywhere, prompting one tweeter to remark, "Biden's teeth are so white, they're voting for Romney. #VPDebate." The media was equally fixated, as this sampling of teeth-centric headlines reveals:
"Joe Biden's Teeth Devour Debate" (Mashable)
"Whether Biden's teeth beat Ryan's hair, the VP debate is a wash for the contest" (The Guardian)
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Biden Bares Teeth in Debate" (Spiegel Online)
"Show of Teeth Spurs a Debate Over Biden" (The New York Times)
"Joe Biden's Teeth Win Vice Presidential Debate!" (Seattle Weekly)
-
Fit for a king: must-visit palaces around the UKThe Week Recommends Our pick of the nation’s most magnificent residences for nobles and royals
-
Is Andy Burnham making a bid to replace Keir Starmer?Today's Big Question Mayor of Manchester on manoeuvres but faces a number of obstacles before he can even run
-
Christian Brückner: why prime suspect in Madeleine McCann case can refuse Met interviewThe Explainer International letter of request rejected by 49-year-old convicted rapist as he prepares to walk free
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardonTalking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidentsThe Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: which party are the billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to goThe Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
