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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The first and only debate between Vice President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, Paul Ryan lived-up to the hype. They aggressively challenged each other from start to finish.

It comes as the polls continue to tighten between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. With only about three weeks until election day, both presidential candidates needed a strong performance from their running mates.

The debate started with a handshake, but the gloves quickly came off for the political fight that ensued. Side by side, at the same table, Biden and Ryan didn't hold back.

"Sometimes your words come out the wrong way," Ryan challenged.

"But, I always say what I mean," Biden responded.

Biden openly criticized Romney. "He said that 47% of our population is looking for a handout. That 47% pays more effective taxes than Governor Romney pays on his income tax."

Ryan fired back saying the Obama Administration has blatantly failed the middle class. "We're going in the wrong direction. Look at where we are. Our economy is barely limping along."

Local Democrats and Republicans gathered at various locations throughout the valley for viewing parties. Their opinions of who won the debate seem to be just as different as the candidates they support.

Democrat Jesse Griffin says he doesn't trust Paul Ryan. "Don't make us think that you're fighting for us when you actually only have an agenda to help a certain amount of people."

Republican John Delaberta thought Ryan performed well. Delaberta argues that Biden didn't express any real solutions and circled around the issues. "Every time Ryan was talking, Biden was laughing. Biden gave 10-second answers, then danced around the question for the next minute and a half."

The next presidential debate is less than a week away. Obama and Romney will face off on Oct. 23 in New York. The debate will be town hall meeting style. Undecided voters will get to ask questions of both candidates.