Heated US Vice presidential debate between Biden and Ryan

US Vice President Joe Biden leaped to the attack against Republican challenger Paul Ryan in a lively debate on Thursday, aggressively defending the Obama administration's economic and foreign policies to try to regain momentum in the White House race.            

Biden was looking for a Democratic rebound after President Barack Obama's poor debate performance last week. But the younger and less experienced Ryan held his own series of testy exchanges.                

Biden grinned and laughed sarcastically at times, dismissing the Wisconsin congressman's answers. But he repeatedly provided the passion that Obama was criticized for lacking in last week's debate with Republican challenger Mitt Romney.                

Obama, who watched the debate on Air Force One while returning from a campaign trip, jogged out to meet reporters after landing and praised his No. 2.                 

"I thought Joe Biden did terrific tonight. I could not be prouder of him. He made a very strong case," Obama said.                     

Romney called Ryan to congratulate him after the debate.


REUTERS