Biden, Ryan prepare for VP showdown
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E-mail Xinhua, October 10, 2012
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan are both preparing Tuesday for their first and only debate during this year's presidential election, as results of the first presidential debate raised the stakes for the Thursday night showdown.
According to White House schedule, Biden is holed up in Wilmington, Delaware, preparing for the debate. The reelection campaign of President Barack Obama told reporters that during the past days, Biden has scrutinized video of Ryan's speeches and interviews, read Young Guns, the book Ryan co-wrote with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy. He also has participated in three mock debates, and will have several more rehearsals before the Thursday debate.
"Any opportunity you have to lay out the choice the American people are facing to a large audience is a good opportunity," said Jen Psaki, the Obama campaign spokeswoman. "The vice presidential debate is certainly one of them... it's an important opportunity to lay out the choice. We'll all be watching. The President will be watching."
Biden is under immense pressure to perform at the debate, after Obama was outshone in his debate with Republican challenger Mitt Romney last week. Polls showed Romney has obliterated Obama's lead nationally with his stellar performance.
Ryan, on the other hand, has started his debate prep over a month ago, and has been hunkering down for the past few weeks, conducting three mock debates as of last Sunday. He cleared his campaign calendar on Tuesday to focus on preparation.
The debate is to take place Thursday night at Center College, Danville, Kentucky.
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