Vice President Joe Biden held his first debate preparation session last week in Washington, D.C., an Obama campaign official told NBC News on Tuesday.
Biden practiced with Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the stand-in for Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, in anticipation of the lone Biden-Ryan debate, scheduled for Thurs., Oct. 11 in Danville, Ky.
In obligatory expectations-setting statement, the campaign adds: "The vice president has been preparing for his debate with Congressman Ryan - a candidate who has an exceptional grasp of policy details and a mastery of policy and budgetary matters."
The session took place last week in Washington DC. (Biden was in Washington Wednesday and Thursday of last week between campaign trips to Iowa and NH.)
Van Hollen and Biden met one-on-one before the Democratic National Convention to plot out their preparation strategy but this was their first formal mock session.
Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who has worked alongside Ryan in Congress, told NBC last month that his main focus will be on emulating the GOP nominee's style.
"What I know is how Paul Ryan presents," he said. "What Congressman Ryan does is present a plan that's really bad for the country with a smile."