VP debate: Biden and Ryan have come out swinging

Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Congressman Paul Ryan during their debate Credit: Reuters

Feisty and aggressive. Biden and Ryan have come out swinging.

Libya and Iran took centre stage early on. Then jobs and the economy.

And yes, finally Biden got the 47% quote and the saving of the car industry into a single answer.

Forty minutes into the Denver debate we knew Obama was losing. This time it is not so clear.

Both sides will be claiming their man has the edge in the early exchanges.

But it's a good debate - substantive and watchable. But is Biden smiling and laughing too much? We've nearly an hour to go.