Joe Biden-Paul Ryan First Debate Between Two Catholics

On one side, Democrat Joe Biden, who says that wearing the rosary in his hand the day continued as vice president in the 'Situation Room' Bin Laden hunt. On the other, Republican Paul Ryan, someone who as a child was an altar boy in the parish of his neighborhood. For the first time in U.S. history, two Catholics clash in one of the presidential debates, the starring tonight (starts at 3 am GMT) by candidates for vice.

The religion that unites them while also separates: Wisconsin Congressman Ryan is practicing, defender of the Church's teaching on abortion and homosexuality, which was many years Delaware Senator Biden, receives less frequently sacraments, protects abortion and gay marriage advocates. Ryan can say that his opponent away from Catholicism in these issues, but Biden's claims that the Republican who stands out from the social doctrine of the Church, with its proposed budget cuts. In the background, the votes of Catholics, who constitute 27% of the electorate and a slight tilt toward Democrats historically, have become increasingly aligned with the majority vote.

Candidates' surrogates

The paradox is that in the great night of their political careers, both candidates will not defend their own views, but the application of their heads. For Obama, who will debate at 30,000 feet, flying back from Florida, it is essential that Biden truncate the upward trend of the Republican campaign, Mitt Romney who drove with his sharp victory in the debate last week. Romney is crucial for Paul Ryan prolong the "moment" in which he finds his bid for the White House. Obama and Romney will have his second face to face until next Tuesday.

Above all it will be a clash between a candidate more visual (Biden is on the verge of 70 years) and one young (Ryan has 42). The Republican celebrated his second birthday when the Democrats came to the Senate. The Democrats have the majority support of the youth, but this time their mobilization is less than four years ago when they turned on the election of Obama. Ryan's youth can attract some of the disenchanted.

The risks of each

Obama and Romney will continue the confrontation with fingers crossed: the president, Biden does not commit to one of his frequent gaffes, the former governor of Massachusetts, for the brilliance of Ryan takes you into the byways not electorally committed (expert on budget and health care reform, is easy to refer to issues with which Romney does not count).