Biden and Ryan Clash In Vice-Presidential Debate

The political fortunes of President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney were hoisted onto the backs of their Vice-Presidential picks as Joe Biden and Paul Ryan faced each other in the highly anticipated first and only debate between the two. Pundits from each party cast the debate as a must-win for Vice-President Biden following President Obama’s lackluster performance on October 3 in Denver.

Vice-President Biden, known for his sharp candor and occasionally unscripted remarks, showed up at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky prepared to defend and advance Team Obama. The Vice-President forcefully promoted the administration’s plan to continue the slow but steady recovery from the Great Recession, and he accused Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney of “loose talk” on foreign policy issues, calling Ryan’s assertions “malarkey.”

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Congressman Ryan spent the evening attacking the administration for its security policy at the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, its sanctions against Iran, and Medicare funding.  He appeared prepared and ready to maintain the momentum Mitt Romney generated from his debate with President Obama.

In the aftermath of the evening, political analysts are calling the debate a substantive one with Biden and Ryan going toe-to-toe for 90 minutes during which neither blinked or backed down. Did Biden position the Democratic ticket and President Obama for a rebound? The next Presidential debate is Tuesday, October 16 at Hofstra University.