Other views: Curmudgeon vs. Doogie Howser

• Ryan's fluid for a wonk, but he has no charisma.
• Biden did his job Thursday night.
• Ryan scored blows; Biden played to the crowd.

Lisa Schiffren, National Review: "Joe Biden stumbles through numbers, and revs up on the pure rhetoric. Old school. Paul Ryan's inflections show that he comprehends the numbers and policies he is discussing. He doesn't need to throw around numbers meant to be inflammatory. He's fluid for a wonk who deals in substance. That signals smart. Voters want smart coupled with real, traditional leadership this time. Ryan adds visible intellectual heft to the ticket, but he does not personally have the charisma to be at the top. That's fine. (Biden) is being an irritable old guy, which almost all middle-age and younger people, who have curmudgeons of their own to contend with, will not find too compelling."

Andrew Sullivan, The Daily Beast: "Biden is doing his job tonight. And doing it much better than I certainly expected. The case that millionaires should sacrifice nothing is simply immoral. This is a calm, strong forensic refusal to accept any of the (baloney) being delivered by (Ryan). (Biden) finally, finally hits back at the gall of Ryan and Romney and the Republicans in blaming the debt on Obama. And now Biden is filleting Ryan on the stimulus. Biden is now on a roll! Game on! Now, Ryan (is) offering pabulum as an economic program and a weepy story about Romney's compassion. Ryan is now again saying that the Obama administration has watered down sanctions. Biden is now authoritative. 'A bunch of stuff.' 'Malarkey.' Two euphemisms for bald-faced lying."

Hope Hodge, Human Events: "Budget wonk Ryan scored several decisive blows hitting the administration on its missteps and misinformation following the Benghazi murders and its failure to improve job growth. But Biden played to the crowd throughout the night, sidestepping questions while snickering and expressing exasperation with his opponent on every topic. Ultimately, on foreign policy Biden was able to keep Ryan at arm's length by contesting everything Ryan said, and generously interjecting phrases like 'malarkey' and 'this is stuff' to discredit him. Though it wasn't the kind of landslide Romney carried off last Wednesday, Ryan may have taken an edge in the domestic policy portion of the debate by remaining steady, pressing Biden on his own record, and refusing to get sidetracked by Biden's scoffing."

Josh Marshall, Talking Points Memo: "The older guy often has an advantage in a debate. And how. Ryan looks like a kid, out of his depth. The economics, social insurance and taxes conversations were not good for Ryan. Perhaps if Obama gets a cold, Biden can sub in against Romney? Biden took 30 Geritols this morning. On foreign policy, Ryan's giving off a real Doogie Howser vibe. I suspect a bunch of reporters are going to try to make a thing about Biden's smiles and guffaws. But I think Democrats are going to feel Biden made their case. Whatever happens, Biden's making the Democrats' arguments. They're all right there. Nothing is getting left unsaid. Nothing. I think this is what Democrats were waiting for from Obama. Never going to get something like this from Obama. This is vintage Biden."