Team Obama hopes veep debate halts GOP momentum

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Associated Press

Story Created: Thu Oct 11, 2012 12:22 PM

Story Updated: Thu Oct 11, 2012 12:25 PM

DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Paul Ryan pull up a couple of chairs tonight for a vice presidential debate that has mushroomed in importance since Mitt Romney's strong showing in the first presidential faceoff.

This time, it's the Obama team looking to put the brakes on the other guy's momentum.
Biden says he's looking forward to the debate. Ryan tells CNN he's not intimidated, he's "actually excited about it."
The veep showdown at Centre College in Danville, Ky., 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.
Like the second installment in a miniseries, it will help to shape the campaign narrative until Romney and Obama themselves meet up again Tuesday.