Hi everyone, I'm Melissa Whetstone, a community editor at The Globe. We'll get started in about 20 minutes. In the meantime, here's three things to watch for in tonight's debate:
www.theglobeandmail.com by Melissa Whetstone 10/12/2012 12:38:15 AM

A poster advertising the vice presidential debate sits in the window of a political-themed shop on a street in Danville, Kentucky October 11, 2012. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
by Dave Lucas 10/12/2012 12:39:08 AM
Hi everyone. My name is Meredith Nelson. I have lived in Raleigh, North Carolina for the last seven years. I am currently focusing on raising my kids and helping my community. I used to be an Ottawa-based management consultant.
by Meredith Nelson 10/12/2012 12:46:28 AM
Welcome Meredith! Thanks for joining us tonight
by Melissa Whetstone 10/12/2012 12:46:55 AM
Meredith, what will you be watching for in tonight's debate? Do you think we'll see an aggressive, scrappy Joe Biden?
by Melissa Whetstone 10/12/2012 12:47:53 AM
I will be watching Joe Biden closely. I feel this race has shifted considerably in the past week and any gaffe from Biden will be big news. On the other hand, Biden has an opportunity to refocus the electorate on what the President has accomplished over the past four years.
by Meredith Nelson 10/12/2012 12:50:46 AM
Good evening everyone - my name is Affan Chowdhry, multimedia reporter with the Globe and Mail. I've been covering the U.S. presidential campaign from here in Toronto - and involved in our Canadian expats project - Canadians living in the U.S. and reflecting on life and politics south of the border. So hello to Meredith - one of our expats. And hello Melissa - we do it again!
by Affan Chowdhry 10/12/2012 12:51:18 AM
Hi Affan, ready for Round 2!
by Melissa Whetstone 10/12/2012 12:52:36 AM
Indeed Round 2: where Vice President Joe Biden delivers all the zingers he wishes President Obama had. And where Paul Ryan has to deliver under a lot of pressure - carry the momentum of the Romney campaign after Mitt's strong showing last week. Should be great.
by Affan Chowdhry 10/12/2012 12:54:16 AM
Hi, all. Can only speak for myself, but it's funny how different the lead-up to a VP debate feels compared to a presidential one. The stakes were so high last week that I found myself a little on edge in the minutes before it. This one could matter, of course, but I'm more prepared to be entertained.
by Adam Radwanski 10/12/2012 12:56:14 AM
Welcome, Adam, thanks for joining us
by Melissa Whetstone 10/12/2012 12:56:34 AM
Despite the Romney campaign downplaying his experience I expect Paul Ryan will do quite well. He has continuously displayed a pretty firm grasp of issues (foreign policy aside) and has certainly held his own on the talk show circuit. I think we will see a VP candidate displaying his future presidential aspirations.
by Meredith Nelson 10/12/2012 12:57:11 AM
Here is what I love about vice presidential debates: the TV networks sound super-pumped. But four years from now is anyone going to remember Ryan versus Biden? Generally, VP debates are the undercard. Anyone remember anything memorable from Biden versus Palin four years ago?
by Affan Chowdhry 10/12/2012 12:57:23 AM
Short answer: no.
by Affan Chowdhry 10/12/2012 12:58:01 AM
No, Affan, I don't. And that one was more hyped because of the Pailin factor.
by Adam Radwanski 10/12/2012 12:58:18 AM
Can't really recall VP debates that had an effect. '88 seemed like a disaster for Bush-Quayle, but it didn't make for President Dukakis.
by Adam Radwanski 10/12/2012 12:59:38 AM
Great point Affan, however, Dan Quayle never recovered from Lloyd Bentson's Kennedy retort.
by Meredith Nelson 10/12/2012 1:00:10 AM
That said, there's speculation this one could matter more because there have been few enough big moments so far in the campaign that everyone is looking for them.
by Adam Radwanski 10/12/2012 1:00:31 AM