AP: Biden to play hardball in debate against Ryan

Well, we know Biden has the cap for it. He has one on while posturing as if he’s going to take this big guy on in Mongolia.

A baseball cap-wearing Joe Biden inspired laughs when he crouched down in a ready to rumble stance during a wrestling performance in Ulan Bator, Mongolia on Monday. He also tried his hand at archery and cracked a few jokes about getting lost in translation.

As for the AP report, it’s impossible to say. Clearly the surrogates have been given a message to sell. A SC pol made a comment about a meat clever I noted earlier today.

There’s no way to tell how the comments jibe with the reality, as both sides will be playing the set up and expectations game. Given the thumping Obama took, I have to wonder if it’s smart to build expectations up so high for Biden going into the debate. There must be some reason for it. Biden may be the butt of many jokes but he can handle himself fine when he needs to. It should be interesting, if nothing else. They may be trying to goad Ryan into playing it too strong, so as to come off inappropriately, somehow. Hmm.

Four years ago, Joe Biden was careful not to appear overly aggressive in the vice presidential debate with Sarah Palin, then a newcomer to the national stage.But Biden is less concerned about coming across like a bully as he prepares to debate Rep. Paul Ryan on Thursday.Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm says Vice President Biden will play “more hardball” against Ryan, a 14-year House veteran and the top Republican budget writer.