Let’s not talk about this debate as intellectual argument. Like most debates, this one it wasn’t. It was a political style fight mixed with your-mother/snaps jokes. And in that respect, both had them and landed some good ones.

Biden’s: (After pointing out Ryan’s requested for stimulus money from the Obama Adminstration, for green energy companies to boot): “Any letter you send me I’ll entertain.”

Ryan’s: “I think the vice president very well knows that sometimes the words don’t come out of your mouth the right way.”

Where Biden was most hurt: Libya. The attack on the embassy and death of the ambassador disturbs the public and is a bit of an open wound. That and what seems to be a bungled way the Obama Administration handled talking about it, keeps the wound open. It was the one topic the Biden was clearly on full defense.

Where Ryan was most hurt: Same as always, how the Romney/Ryan plans get financed. But unlike Romney, admitted the tax cut plan Romney disavowed in his debate. And same always, the GOP explanation comes down to “don’t trouble your little head, trust us.” Next would be his I’m-not-not-saying-we-would-outlaw-abortion. That read between the lines will remind and spook some women voters.

Overall both did walk away with something. Biden gave Democrats the punches Democrats wanted to deliver last debate and calms the baby cries.  And Ryan, though his began to peter out near the end, still got credibility from going toe-to-toe with the Vice-President.