Vice Presidential Debates 2012 Live Recap: Timeline of Biden, Ryan’s First Debate on Domestic and Foreign Policy with Martha Raddatz

Vice Presidential Debates 2012 Live Recap: Timeline of Biden, Ryan's First Debate on Domestic and Foreign Policy with Martha Raddatz

It was the vice presidential debate tonight, live, from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.

Weeks ahead of tonight's 90-minute debate, the Commission on Presidential Debates selected Martha Raddatz of ABC News to moderate and follow the theme of domestic and foreign policy.

By 9:01 p.m. EDT, Raddatz introduced the two candidates following instructing how the debate will be. Biden will answer the first question.

Timeline:

9:02 p.m.: Vice President Joe Biden and Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan enter the stage.

9:03 p.m.: Raddatz beings with the topic of Libya. She mentions the death of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

9:03 p.m.: "We will find and bring to justice the men who did this," said Biden.

Biden defended President Barack Obama far securing Americans. He mentions Obama's decision on troop withdrawal in Iraq and Afghanistan, the death of Osama bin Laden, and how Romney didn't offer a plan or think it was right to do these things.

9:05 p.m.: Biden said Obama offers a clear vision and Romney does not.

9:05 p.m.: Ryan gives his two-minute response. He stated how the situation in Libya was a terrorist attack and not just an attack due to a 15-minute YouTube video (Innocence of Muslims).

Ryan added "a depth of gratitude" is given to the troops and agree with Obama's 2014 troop withdrawal. He calls the situation in Libya as one major problem.

9:07 p.m.: Raddatz asked Ryan about Romney's response to the Libya situation.

9:08 p.m.: Ryan defended Romney and commented on the Obama's administration

He also mentioned the defense cuts the Obama administration is planning, which enemies will take advantage of.

9:08 p.m.: "That's a bunch of malarkey," said Biden. Biden said Ryan has cut $300 million in military spending.

9:10 p.m.: Raddatz asked Biden why they thought it was caused by a protest.

9:10 p.m.: Biden said the attack in Libya was caused by the video protest based on initial informal the intelligence community told the White House. As more information came in, then it was clear a terrorist attack was the actual reason.

9:11 p.m.: Should the US apologize for US marines urinating on corpses in Afghanistan and burning the Quran?

9:11 p.m.: Ryan said yes. Ryan added, however, going back to the Libya situation, said the Obama administration failed to provide security to Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

9:12 p.m.: Raddatz interrupted to move onto the topic of Iran. How effective will a military strike be?

9:13 p.m.: Ryan said Iran is close to a nuclear weapon and should intervene. He mentions the sanctions set on Iran by the Bush administration and the United Nations. He said Iran tried to perform a terrorist attack last year.

He said the Obama administration "watered down sanctions."

9:15 p.m.: Biden said Republican sanctions would not have worked with Russia and China. He said the current sanctions are the toughest sanctions in sanctions history.

He asked Ryan if he wants a war.

"I want to prevent war," said Ryan.

9:16 p.m.: Biden added the US and Israel understand the threat of Iran and their goal have nuclear energy. Biden said we'll know once Iran is getting nuclear energy due to sources in the region.

9:17 p.m.: Ryan replied that the Ayatollah's in Iran know the sanctions are "watered down" and know Obama is not serious with the threat.

9:18 p.m.: Raddatz references Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's presentation at the United Nations, stating Iran will get nuclear weapons by spring 2013.

9:18 p.m.: "We could debate the timeline," said Ryan, but believes the deadline to get the nuclear weapons as further than spring.

9:19 p.m.: Biden said Obama is in constant contact with Netanyahu as much as any world leader.

"We will not allow the Iranians to get a nuclear weapon," said Biden.

He said Iran is more isolated than before.

9:20 p.m.: Ryan said thank goodness due to these current sanctions.

9:20 p.m.: Biden said talk about Iran getting nuclear enrichment is not true.

9:21 p.m.: Raddatz reads a statement by Bob Gates.

9:21 p.m.: Ryan said the Ayatollahs are encouraged when Russia water down sanctions and when they see conflict with Israel and the US.

9:22 p.m.: A nuclear-armed Iran is a nuclear-armed Middle East, said Ryan.

"We can't live with that," said Ryan.

9:22 p.m.: Biden said Ryan has stated the current sanctions are working but now say they aren't.

9:23 p.m.: Raddatz begins with domestic policy and the economy. She said Obama originally said the unemployment figure would be six percent but now is near eight percent.

9:23 p.m.: Biden said he hopes to get to six percent. He mentions the accomplishments the Obama administration has done to save the economy, criticizing Romney's decision to not save General Motors or the auto industry.

9:24 p.m.: Biden mentions Romney's 47 percent comment. He said it is about time Romney takes some responsibility and that the common neighbor pays more taxes than Romney probably does.

9:25 p.m.: Ryan said the unemployment rate in Biden's town of Scranton has risen from eight to 10 percent.

Ryan added job growth was slower in September than August, and August from July.

He said real reforms must take place, with their five-point plan, that includes deficit planning, better trade, alternative energy, and job training.

Ryan is Romney cares for 100 percent of America.

9:29 p.m.: Biden said the 47 percent comment by Romney is not a mistake. Biden said 5.2 million private sector jobs have been created but more can be done, but not under what Romney and Ryan are proposing.

"Show me a policy where you take responsibility," said Biden.

He said a trillion dollar tax cut was voted by Ryan and paid billions for the two wars.

9:31 p.m.: Ryan said the Obama administration started with a democratic Senate and House of Representatives. He added the Obama stimulus has not worked.

9:32 p.m.: Biden said no "cronyism" was in the Obama stimulus, and that included stimulus for Wisconsin, Ryan's state.

Biden said Ryan has thanked for the stimulus before but now is speaking against it.

9:33 p.m.: Ryan said was it a good idea to get money from China for interest groups.

Biden defended that five million jobs were created in the green sector.

9:34 p.m.: Will benefits in Medicare and Social Security change to survive?

9:34 p.m.: "Absolutely," said Ryan. He added changes are needed for it to continue. He said reforms are needed, and Romney is proposing it.

He said $716 billion has been cut due to Obamacare, which will deny care for current seniors. Ryan said Social Security will end up having 25 percent cuts if there are not reforms.

He said people deserve to choose, not the government.

9:37 p.m.: Biden said Medicare was bettered with Obamacare, with support of AARP, and extended it to 2024.

Biden said Ryan's plan cuts hundreds of thousands, but now have a new plan with no specifics.

Biden said Medicare will not be privatized. He said Romney-Ryan's ideas are old.

9:38 p.m.: Ryan said many seniors will be cut due to Obamacare.

9:39 p.m.: Raddatz asked what is Ryan's plan.

9:39 p.m.: Ryan said taking the subsidies are needed, and his plan is bipartisan.

9:40 p.m.: Biden said no Democrat supports it.

9:40 p.m.: Ryan said if the current health care problems are not solved, seniors would be cut from service.

9:41 p.m.: Raddatz asked why not raise the Medicare age requirement?

9:41 p.m.: Biden said they helped the health care and social security to be solvent until 2033, and Romney and Ryan are supporting a voucher system and for it to be privatized.

9:42 p.m.: Ryan said no changes for anyone 55 and above, but for younger people, to raise the requirement age over time.

9:43 p.m.: Biden said studies have shown Romney-Ryan's idea won't work and will not help people financially.

He added, people need to use common sense and know Romney will have people pay $6,400 more, per year.

9:44 p.m.: Raddatz asked who will pay more for taxes and who'll less.

9:45 p.m.: Biden said the middle class will pay less, and those earning a million and more will pay more.

120,000 families will get additional tax relief, said Biden, but that Ryan won't allow.

Biden said Republicans are holding the middle class hostage when it comes to tax relief.

9:46 p.m.: Ryan said the premise for these tax reforms are to better the economy. Ryan said Obama's plan won't help the deficit and won't control the Democrat's spending.

"We need fundamental tax reform," said Ryan.

Ryan said what has to be done is lower tax rates for all people, across the board.

9:49 p.m.: Raddatz asked what are the specifics for Romney's tax plans.

9:49 p.m. Ryan said closing loopholes will help the tax reforms, by cutting 20 percent starting with the high incomers.

9:50 p.m.: Biden said Romney believes his current tax rates is fair, when it is not.

Biden added $5 trillion dollars will be cut from the middle class under Romney.

9:52 p.m.: Ryan said Republicans and Democrats need to work together, and Romney is capable of it as evident when Romney was governor of Massachusetts.

9:53 p.m.: Biden said the best way to help the deficit is to let the Bush tax cuts expire.

9:53 p.m.: Ryan goes back that loopholes have to be closed.

9:54 p.m.: Biden insist 97 percent of small businesses will not be affected by Obama's policies.

9:54 p.m.: Raddatz asked about military spending.

9:54 p.m.: Ryan said cuts should not happen to the military. He said the Navy will be as small as before World War I if the $1 trillion cuts are implemented.

9:55 p.m.: Biden said Republicans asked for the cuts. Biden said the military has even asked that increases are not needed.

9:56 p.m.: Raddatz goes into Afghanistan, referencing 2,000 troops have died since the start of the war. Why not leave now?

9:57 p.m.: Ryan said he is for the 2014 deadline but leaving early could give the Taliban and al-Qaeda a chance to return to power.

He said he wants the 2014 transition to be successful and not be a launching pad for terrorist.

9:58 p.m.: Biden said he's been to Afghanistan 20 times and have "decimated" that Taliban. He added the Afghan military has been training, thanks to collaboration with international countries.

Biden said it is time for Afghanistan to stand up to their own abilities.

"We are leaving in 2014, period," said Biden, noting $800 billion will be saved.

10:00 p.m.: What conditions would justify staying?

10:00 p.m.: Ran said there's no reason to stay in Afghanistan, but make sure the 2014 transition is successful.

"What we are witnessing...is the unraveling of Obama's foreign policy."

10:01 p.m.: Ryan said it's not good to publicly announce the 2014 deadline as it would give enemies time to prepare to make a presence again.

10:02 p.m.: Biden said Ryan's statement is bizarre and noted nearly 50 of their allies have agreed with the 2014 timeline.

10:03 p.m.: Raddatz asked if the Taliban will take advantage of the 2014 timeline.

10:03 p.m.: Biden said the 2014 timeline will give the Afghan military the ultimatum to "stand up."

10:04 p.m.: Biden said the surge troops withdrawal was a promise by Obama, nothing political, and it happened before the surge occurred.

He also said the Pentagon agreed with the decision.

10:05 p.m.: Ryan said the surge troop withdrawal might have been bad timing due to weather conditions.

10:07 p.m.: Raddatz moves to the civil war in Syria. Why not send military to Syria?

10:08 p.m.: Biden said involvement in Syria could lead to a regional war. He added the Obama administration is with talks with Turkey and Jordan.

Biden said Romney has said he's not offering anything different to what Obama has done when it comes to Syria.

10:10 p.m.: Ryan said nobody is proposing to send troops to Syria. He said the longer the Syrian situation continues, it could give al-Qaeda a safe haven. He said relations with Russia has not worked despite the "reset."

10:11 p.m.: Biden asked what would Romney or Ryan do differently. Biden added allies are on the same page as the US and NATO.

10:12 p.m.: Ryan said Obama should not have seen Russia give Syria weapons.

Raddatz asked for specifics, but Ryan refers to mistakes on

10:13 p.m.: Raddatz for their views and religious views on abortion.

10:15 p.m.: Ryan is pro-life, but not because of his religion, but because of science. He said life begins at conception. Ryan said Romney and himself will be against abortion except when it comes to rape, incest, and life of the mother.

Ryan said the Obama administration has provided abortions with taxpayer money.

10:17 p.m.: Biden said religion defines him and has been a Catholic his whole life. Biden said he accepts his church's position on abortion, but refuses to give that same position to all, including of different faiths. He believes it is a decision of the mother and the doctor.

Biden said no religious institution has to provide contraception or funding for abortions.

10:19 p.m.: Ryan said the position of life beginning at conception should be a principle.

10:19 p.m.: Raddatz asked if abortion will be illegal under Romney-Ryan.

10:20 p.m.: Ryan said the courts would decide.

10:20 p.m.: Biden points out the next presidential term will likely see two new Supreme Court Justices, and under Ryan would have people likely to ban abortion.

10:21 p.m.: Raddatz brings the topic back to the troops.

10:22 p.m.: Biden said troop safety is fundamental. He said all military men and women should be honored, and not fall in the 47 percent Romney spoke of.

Biden said it is important to look at who has the conviction to help the middle class, Romney or Obama.

10:23 p.m.: Ryan said he will not impose the military cuts as it imposes on their safety. Ryan said to look at the broken promises by Obama, from health care to taxes.

Ryan said Obama has not offered a "credible" plan to help the budget.

"We can do better than this," said Ryan.

10:26 p.m.: Biden said Ryan's plan will do harm for millions, and do nothing but increase tax cuts for the very wealthy.

10:27 p.m.: Raddatz asked about character.

10:27 p.m.: Ryan said what Americans need is someone who offers solutions, and Obama isn't delivering that. Ryan said Romney is offering the five-point plan.

10:28 p.m.: Biden said his whole life has been to level the playing field for the middle class. Biden said Americans have to look at his record.

10:29 p.m.: Raddatz goes into closing statements.

10:29 p.m.: Biden is first and thanked Raddatz for moderating and Centre College for hosting the event. He added although there are differences with Ryan, Biden and Obama are working to level the playing field.

10:30 p.m.: Ryan also thanked Raddatz, Centre College, and even Biden. Ryan said Americans are in a tough place and Obama's economic agenda included more spending and it's not working. He said 15 percent of America are in poverty and Americans deserve better.

Ryan said Romney has the solutions to these problems. Ryan said the Romney administration will not blame others but take responsibility.

The debate ended at 10:32 p.m. with Raddatz asking for all to vote.

The next debate will be the second presidential debate following a town hall format with CNN's Candy Crowley serving as moderator.