Viewers of oft-overlooked VP debate say it matters
Source: Associated Press
Robert Munson has heard the conventional wisdom: Vice presidential debates aren't supposed to matter. But in an election this close, he and millions of others tuned in Thursday to a candidate faceoff that many said may not have changed their vote, but firmed their resolve about just how much is at stake.
Munson, a self-described conservative who drove into the heart of largely liberal Seattle to watch the debate broadcast at a civic hall, came hoping to hear Rep. Paul Ryan champion the values he believes in. But when it began, even hearing stands taken by Vice President Joe Biden that he firmly disagrees with held some value.
"Watching this debate and all the information you glean on this very important election, ... of the two very different approaches of where this country is heading, I think it was very important," said Munson, 69, a retired nonprofit manager and former Army captain.
On a night that offered television viewers two baseball playoff games and an NFL matchup, many voters across the country nonetheless made room Thursday for 90 minutes of pugnacious debate, the only one scheduled between Biden and Ryan. A little more than a week after a presidential debate that lifted the candidacy of Mitt Romney and knocked President Barack Obama's campaign back a step, this debate, which wasn't supposed to matter, took on a heightened importance.
Read more: http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019409638_apusdebateamericawatches1stldwritethru.html
I know the corporate media is generally trying to downplay the impact of Biden's trouncing of Ryan, but the fact of the matter is that 50 million people tuned in.
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Classic overcompensation. 
