From the outset, Biden was determined to attack fast and attack early.
The Veep didn't shy away from the buzzwords that Obama missed in the first debate.
But Ryan didn't look outmatched, going blow-for-blow with the VP in the first half.
Some thought Biden was dismissive or rude towards his young opponent.
As a moderator, Martha Raddatz was far tougher than the soft-spoken Jim Lehrer. She asked hard questions and demanded answers.
Ryan seemed to come up empty when Raddatz pressed him for specifics on the Republicans' tax cut plan.
Some conservatives thought the moderator was being unfair.
But Biden had his share of friction with Raddatz as well.
On faith and women's issues at the end, the candidates sparred to an approximate draw.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was that Biden didn't use his favorite adverb.
