Live Blog: Biden and Ryan Square Off in Vice-Presidential Debate

It's rare that a vice presidential debate can swing an election, but following GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's drubbing of President Barack Obama in Denver, Democrats are hoping Vice President Joe Biden can get them back on the right track.

Biden takes on the fresh faced GOP VP nominee, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, in a town hall format contest moderated by ABC News' Martha Raddatz. Biden, a skilled debater from a number of presidential primaries and 2008's match against Sarah Palin, will bring a folksy contrast to the fresh-faced energy of Ryan, a 42-year old fiscal conservative who is seen as the ideological and intellectual leader of his party's congressional faction.

Romney/Ryan have seen a surge in the polls since the former Mass. Governor put in a sterling performance last week; while the Obama campaign has accused him of moderating his positions for a national audience, he was deemed the winner thanks to an aggressive attack, coupled with an unexpected reticence from the president.

Biden is known for playing loose with public speaking rules; he often connects viscerally with an audience, but is prone to making gaffes and silly statements, as well. Ryan is less nationally known as an orator, but gave a full throated attack on Obama/Biden's policies during his RNC speech in August.

Will experience trump youth, or will a new generation's star take hold? Join now The Hollywood Reporter contributing editor Tina Daunt as we live blog this crucial moment in the 2012 Presidential Election. (Additional coverage from The Boston Globe.)

Ryan sounds like he's reading his lines off a teleprompter. Biden is sweeping the floor with him with the truth.

by taez555@aol.com 10/12/2012 2:07:06 AM
Romney donated all of it to the Mormon Church - do they really need it?

by JoshyR 10/12/2012 2:07:10 AM
One thing we can all agree on. Ryan: "The calendar works the same every year." Biden: "It does work the same every year."

by Matt Viser via twitter 10/12/2012 2:07:13 AM
At least 90%+ of my female friends in college will be voting for Obama/Biden this year. They have already decided what's best for them and that is having Obama/Biden for another four years.

by KentXie 10/12/2012 2:07:15 AM
Massachusetts was the only state to go for McGovern ... I hope the same for this year with Obama.

by UnhappyVoter edited by Teresa Hanafin, Boston.com 10/12/2012 2:07:30 AM
If I had 250 gazillion bucks of net worth I sure would!!

by fed up 10/12/2012 2:07:42 AM
Biden should just retire and go on SS

by why? 10/12/2012 2:07:47 AM
All troops home, period. No need. No need.

by Hi 10/12/2012 2:07:50 AM
This is a tough election. Being a veteran, I am annoyed by the lack of facts from both of these guys.

by JoeShmoe edited by Teresa Hanafin, Boston.com 10/12/2012 2:08:02 AM
This is like Thanksgiving: Father and son fighting over politics.

by tinadaunt 10/12/2012 2:08:08 AM
Ryan's facts are wrong most of the time

by Spanner 10/12/2012 2:08:12 AM
You wont like Romney's idea of change

by Spanner 10/12/2012 2:08:20 AM
ryan about teaparty "facts"...and what good are their facts when Mitt switches direction with yet another flip-flop in mid-sentence...?

by nighthawksoars 10/12/2012 2:08:34 AM
Raddatz asks Biden about withdrawing troops before the summer fighting season was over. The vice president tells Raddatz to be straight with him, too, and that military leaders - not the administration - wanted the surge troops out of Afghanistan out when the administration did so.

by Glen Johnson 10/12/2012 2:08:43 AM
As the debate continues, Biden is starting to sound like an exasperated parent dealing with a pesky child.

by Glen Johnson 10/12/2012 2:08:54 AM
So Ryan is committing billions and billions forever for Afghanistan, but wants to cut Medicare, Social Security, and other things at home... The cost is high. Is this what the American people want?

by JL edited by Teresa Hanafin, Boston.com 10/12/2012 2:08:58 AM
As a retired teacher in MA----Romney was not for teachers-----who middle class can you get

by jackmcinma 10/12/2012 2:09:02 AM
if you are a manufacturing business you have capital assets - which are taxed as income - raise the rates the net cash income goes to zero - no more small businesses

by Display Name:roark architect 10/12/2012 2:09:11 AM
Women who vote based on social issues don't appreciate how economic issues affect their families. Obama has not been the President of Hope and Change!!!!!!

by Display Name:Annieb 10/12/2012 2:09:18 AM
My in-laws are staunch Democrats who are voting for Romney this time. They've had enough.

by June D edited by Teresa Hanafin, Boston.com 10/12/2012 2:09:34 AM
Republicans and the Neo Cons once again playing up WMD"s to lead us into another Middle East war. Romney gives his charitable donations primarily to the Mormon Church. The Mormon Church helps Mormons.

by Doktorphil 10/12/2012 2:09:46 AM
The US will never solve a religious dispute in the middle east.

by smurfy 10/12/2012 2:09:50 AM
This administraton bought Chevy Volts for Austrian embassy while cutting security for Libyan consulate. Common sense would help in stopping some terrorists.

by meandmyownself 10/12/2012 2:10:10 AM
@kentXie - have you seen what the unemployment rate is for recent college graduates? Might want to reconsider that strategy.

by abl 10/12/2012 2:10:14 AM
Biden just killed himself. It's over. Joe has had the biggest gaffe ever of saying we need more troops in Ahfganistan for the season

by American 10/12/2012 2:10:26 AM
Romney Ryan brings troops to Iran I bet.....

by fed up 10/12/2012 2:10:30 AM
@June, Babs, Rita, I am just stating my opinion. Of course many women will vote for them, but I said I believe the majority will not. They still will get many votes from women, but it won't be more than Obama

by JoeShmoe 10/12/2012 2:10:34 AM
I suspect that Romney gives 10%, the normal amount, to the Mormon church. But its on his entire income, including the income from overseas tax shelters.

by Display Name:LawyerCalhoun 10/12/2012 2:10:42 AM
Fed...Romney paid 13% on INVESTMENT income...not a salary...different rules for ANYONE who earns thru investment

by karlcmiller 10/12/2012 2:10:50 AM
Romney/Ryan wants to give weapons to rebels to fight Syria. A repeat of what the US did with Al Qaeda when they fought Soviet Union advances?

by KentXie 10/12/2012 2:10:58 AM
Charity is NOT the same as taxes. Charities don't pay for government services (embassies, roads, highways, food safety, etc. etc.) Don't care if Romney gave money to charity while paying a ridiculously low tax rate for his income.

by JL 10/12/2012 2:11:03 AM
Has Biden given Ryan any eye contact ?

by BabsSue 10/12/2012 2:11:06 AM
Personal rights won't matter if the economy is driven into the ground and no one can afford them (including the failed attempt at healthcare).

by Chup 10/12/2012 2:11:14 AM
Doktorphil I believe that 100%. I've heard that as well from many people

by JoeShmoe 10/12/2012 2:11:15 AM
Romney Ryan wants to boost military spending while cutting domestic

by Spanner 10/12/2012 2:11:15 AM
@KentXie - Why?

by UnhappyVoter 10/12/2012 2:11:30 AM
They've been fighting over religion in the Middle East for 5000 years

by jackmcinma 10/12/2012 2:11:34 AM
Europe has minimal entrepreneurial culture because of high taxes, excessive regulation, and nanny state benefits...it takes away all incentive. Obama/Biden pickie

by Clear thinker 10/12/2012 2:11:42 AM
@fed up - Iran with a nuclear weapon means probable strike on Israel. You are okay with that?

by abl 10/12/2012 2:11:46 AM
Massachusetts claims the "Kennedy Democrat" as their leading party affiliation - my family of Kennedy Democrats are voting for Romney!!!

by Display Name:Annieb 10/12/2012 2:11:50 AM
Raddatz moves to Syria and asks, if the US supported an air cap to prevent civilian slaughter in Libya, why not do the same in Syria. Biden says they are two different countries, and that if Syria disintegrates, it is in the middle of a volatile region. Rather, he says, the administration is working to ensure a new administration when Assad falls.

“Nobody is proposing to send troops to Syria, American troops,” says Ryan. But he says Romney would not “outsource our foreign policy to Russia” and let Putin veto US actions.

by Glen Johnson 10/12/2012 2:12:14 AM
Romney's average monthly charitable contribution was more than Biden gave in a decade. He gives to many charities, just not the Mormon church. Plus paying for people's college, etc. aren't even part of that as non-deductible charity.

by meandmyownself edited by Teresa Hanafin, Boston.com 10/12/2012 2:12:58 AM
FACT CHECK: Obama administration called Syria's Assad a "reformer": Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in an interview with CBS in March 2011 that "many of the members of Congress of both parties who have gone to Syria in recent months have said they believe he is a reformer."

Clinton sought to clarify the statement several days later: "I referenced the opinions of others. That was not speaking either for myself or for the administration."

by Callum Borchers, Globe... 10/12/2012 2:13:18 AM
Thats a mistake, annieb

by Spanner 10/12/2012 2:13:26 AM
ANALYSIS: FOR CONTEXT ON SYRIA here is a Globe story that looks at Romney's stance on what to do, and his distance from the more hawkish stance of Senator John McCain
http://articles.boston.com/2012-06-19/news/32319774_1_mitt-romney-syrian-opposition-zone

by Michael Kranish, Globe Staff 10/12/2012 2:13:39 AM