WASHINGTON – Four years ago, Joe Biden was careful not to appear overly aggressive in his vice presidential debate with Sarah Palin, then a newcomer to the national stage.

Now, as he prepares to debate Paul Ryan, a 14-year House veteran and the top Republican budget writer, Biden is less concerned about looking like a bully.

"I think he is going to play hardball," said former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who played Palin in debate preparations in 2008 but is not involved this year. "He won't have to worry about pulling punches. He can go after policy and raise issues with a number of deliberate deceptions the other side has put forth."