CNN Wire Debate Digest

P.M. shift Supervising News Editor Maggie Leung -- 404-827-1401

WEDNESDAY

POL-VP debate

Vice presidential debates generally don't have a lasting impact on an election but this one could be different as VP Joe Biden looks to stop the bleeding from President Obama's weak performance last week and play the attack dog to Paul Ryan's wonkish underclassman.

THURSDAY DAYSIDE

POL-Debate-Five-Things

An advancer on Thursday night's debate: Five things to watch for

POL-Debate-Styles

Joe Biden's blunt speaking style plays well among the blue-collar crowd and while he didn't get many delegates in 2008, by most accounts he was undefeated in the debates he participated in before dropping his White House run. For Paul Ryan, the wonky party numbers guy, it's his biggest moment yet on the national stage. Can he stand up to what's expected to be an aggressive examination of what a Romney administration would look like?

POL-Ryan-Interview

Behind the budget wonk is a hunting, Green Bay Packers-loving, P90X fanatic who could have a lasting impact on entitlement programs and the federal deficit.

POL-Biden-Debate

Joe Biden declined to sit down for an interview, so we look at his role on the campaign trail and in the White House.

COMMENTARY-Sparring-Partners

John Avlon and Margaret Hoover on three questions that should be answered.

MONEY-Social-Security-Plans

Comparing the campaigns on Social Security.

MONEY-Medicare-Plans

Comparing the campaigns on Medicare.

MONEY-Ryan-Budget

Five things you need to know about Paul Ryan's economics.

THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY

POL-VP-Debate

A running story during the debate, followed by a full writethrough after the talking is over.

POL-Debate-Five-Things-We-Learned

Concise insights into the key things to come out of the debate

POL-Debate-Analysis

Did each candidate do what his campaign needed? Were there major points scored or gaffes made?

POL-Fact-Checks

Assessments of key assertions the two candidates make