V.P. candidates face questions about abortion and faith

Both candidates explained how their Catholic background helped to shape their policy views, including on abortion. News outlets reported that, based on answers from Vice President Joe Biden and GOP vice presidential pick Paul Ryan, it was clear that both were aiming to the larger, much sought after audience of female voters.   

The Washington Post: On Abortion, Paul Ryan Articulates Position Different From Earlier One
An exchange at the end of Thursday night's vice presidential debate illustrated the complex - and, at times, difficult-to-reconcile - positions taken by the Republican ticket on the issue of abortion. Moderator Martha Raddatz asked Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.), the GOP vice-presidential nominee, how a Mitt Romney administration would handle that issue: "Should those who believe that abortion should remain legal be worried?" (Fahrenthold, 10/12).

Los Angeles Times: Abortion: A Brief Quiet Moment In The Vice Presidential Debate
The exchange neatly summarized part of the debate roiling within the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S., with the men landing on opposite sides. Biden stressed his concern for caring for the vulnerable -- the Catholic social doctrine -- while Ryan held firm to his belief that life begins at conception. But it was clear the candidates were aiming to reach far beyond Catholic viewers. Female voters are in a position to decide the victor in November, and both men were playing for those votes as they cast their positions as middle-of-the-road (Hennessey, 10/11).

The Washington Post: Biden, Ryan Talk Abortion, Catholic Social Teaching In Vice-Presidential Debate
During their only debate this campaign season Thursday night, Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) discussed how their Catholic beliefs have shaped their views on abortion (Hunter, 10/11).

The Hill: Biden, Ryan Spar Over US Abortion Rights
The next president's Supreme Court appointments could determine whether abortion remains legal, Vice President Biden said Thursday night. "The next president will get one or two Supreme Court nominees, that's how close Roe v. Wade is," Vice President Joe Biden said. His opponent, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), did not directly answer a question from debate moderator Martha Raddatz about whether abortion-rights supporters should be "worried" about a Romney-Ryan administration. The Republican vice presidential nominee reiterated that he opposes abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest and when the life of a pregnant woman is at stake (Baker, 10/11).

Politico Pro: Fact Check: Biden, Ryan Off On Contraception Rule
Joe Biden and Paul Ryan clashed on the Obama administration policy on contraception coverage - and neither one of them was totally accurate in describing the current state of play in the controversy. Ryan asserted that churches, religious hospitals and institutions would be required to cover birth control in their employee health plans, even if they objected on moral grounds (Kenen, 10/11).