DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Paul Ryan were under pressure today to help boost their tickets out of a closely fought battle for the White House as the nation’s eyes turned to the pair of vice presidential nominees meeting for their only debate.
The showdown matches up two skilled politicians with strong policy credentials and very different styles. It’s 69-year-old Biden’s folksy appeal and solid vice presidential portfolio vs. 42-year-old Ryan’s intensity and extensive knowledge of the federal budget and economy from 14 years in Congress.
Warming up President Barack Obama’s crowd at the University of Miami’s basketball arena, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson predicted: “Tonight, Joe Biden will make mincemeat of Paul Ryan.” Obama, himself, didn’t mention Biden while encouraging the crowd to take advantage of early voting in Florida, but he did call Biden from Air Force One en route to the rally to wish him luck.
Ryan signaled he’s ready for whatever Biden sends his way.
“I’m not intimidated, I’m actually excited about it,” he said on CNN.
With the spotlight on the running mates, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney spent the morning in secluded practice for his next face-off with Obama on Tuesday. He then flew to North Carolina, where he visited the Rev. Billy Graham before an evening rally in Asheville with country singer Ronnie Milsap.
The vice presidential debate will help to shape the campaign narrative until Romney and Obama meet again Tuesday for the second of three debates. Obama is eager to change the vibe after his lackluster performance in the first debate and Romney’s recent gains in the polls. Romney, for his part, is hoping a strong Ryan performance will help propel Republicans forward on an energetic drive through the campaign’s final weeks.
“Looking forward to it,” Biden said todayas he boarded his plane for Kentucky with his children and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who played Ryan in practice debate sessions. The vice president then holed up with his traveling entourage in a private home near the debate sight. His GOP challenger stayed out of the public eye all daytoday . Aides reported that he spent time with his family, studied debate briefing books and exercised.