video transcript

Vice President Joe Biden and Republican rival Paul Ryan clashed on Thursday (October 11) night, in a lively vice presidential debate covering foreign policy and the economy. SOUNDBITE: REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE PAUL RYAN SAYING (English): "We should not be imposing these devastating defence cuts, because what that does when we equivocate on our values, when we show that we're cutting down on defence, it makes us more weak. It projects weakness. And when we look weak, our adversaries are much more willing to test us. They're more brazen in their attacks, and are allies are less willing to... " VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYING: "With all due respect, that's a bunch of malarkey." MODERATOR MARTHA RADDATZ: "And why is that so?" BIDEN: "Because not a single thing he said is accurate. I will be very specific. Number one, the -- this lecture on embassy security -- the congressman here cut embassy security in his budget by $300 million below what we asked for, number one. So much for the embassy security piece. Number two, Governor Romney, before he knew the facts, before he even knew that our ambassador was killed, he was out making a political statement which was panned by the media around the world." Democrats were counting on Biden to gain ground after a poor debate performance from President Obama last week. Both candidates went on the attack, in a series of tense exchanges. SOUNDBITE: REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE PAUL RYAN SAYING (English): "Their own actuary from the administration came to Congress and said one out of six hospitals and nursing homes are going to go out of business as a result of this." BIDEN: "That's not what they said." RYAN: "7.4 million seniors are projected to lose their current Medicare Advantage coverage they have. That's a $3,200 benefit cut." BIDEN: "That didn't happen." RYAN: "What we're saying..." BIDEN: "More people signed up." RYAN: "These are from your own actuaries." BIDEN: "More -- more -- more people signed up for Medicare Advantage after the change." RYAN: "What -- there's..." BIDEN: "Nobody is..." RYAN: "Mr. Vice President, I know..." BIDEN: "No, this is..." RYAN: "Mr. Vice President, I know you're under a lot of duress to make up for lost ground, but I think people would be better served if we don't keep interrupting each other." Early polls suggested it was a tie between the candidates - with opinion split as to who came out on top.