Paul Ryan vs. Joe Biden debate night prep underway

TAMPA, Fla. -- Paul Ryan is already preparing for debate night -- the oratory showdown with Vice President Joe Biden that just might be the one to watch.

After his soaring Republican convention speech, Ryan has been bragging a bit that as a congressman he is well-primed for the occasion.

“I’m studying. I’m reading Joe Biden’s speeches, reading Joe -- watching Joe Biden tape and just studying on all of the various issues,” Ryan said during an interview from Tampa on CNN’s “The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer.”

Biden may be known for his way with words -- particularly those gaffes that get him in political trouble.

But he also spent more than 30 years in the Senate, which is often referred to in Washington as the greatest deliberative body.

Ryan has spent nearly 14 years in the House, the more rambunctious of the two chambers, and the rivalry between the two can be fierce.

Ryan acknowledged the vice president’s strengths. But he was unfazed by the upper chamber’s aura.

“He’s good, but I’ve been in Congress 14 years and this is what we do, especially in the House,” he said. “The Senate, they don’t debate as often and as frequently. That’s all we do in the House, is we debate.”

“I love debating,” he added. “That’s one of the things I like about this job.”

Tune in: The vice presidential debate is set for 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) Oct. 11.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com
@LisaMascaroinDC