What Time Does the Vice Presidential Debate Start?

The first vice presidential debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan is set for 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11. 

Here are some ways you can catch the action.

Attend a debate-watching party

Viewing parties are taking place across the Twin Cities—both private parties at homes and public ones at local establishments. Here are options for both sides of the political aisle. Do you know of other options? Share them in the comments below.

• Democrats: Organizing for America—Minnesota is hosting several debate-watching parties. The debate-watching parties starts at 6:30 p.m. Click here for a full list of Organizing for America debate-watching parties.
• Republicans: AM 1130 talk show hosts Bob Davis and Tom Emmer, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate from Wright County, are again hosting a debate watching party at the Blue Fox Inn off 694 and Kellogg in Mounds View. There will prizes given away, including a pair of tickets to see the The Who at the Target Center on November 27. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Watch on your television

The debate is airing live on numerous channels starting at 8 p.m. Some channels have preview programs, and some have post-debate analysis. Below is a list of local offerings. All channels are Charter standard cable.

• Tpt2 (channel 2): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
• CNN (channel 34): Preview coverage starts at 6 p.m. Analysis is scheduled for after the debate, with a repeat of the debate at 11 p.m.
• WCCO (channel 4): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
• KSTP (channel 5): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
• KMSP (channel 9): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 9:30 p.m.
• KARE (channel 11): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
• CSPAN (channel 1): Preview coverage runs 6 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. Debate coverage resumes at 8 p.m. and continues through 10:30 p.m.
• CNBC (channel 44): Preview coverage starts at 7 p.m. Debate coverage is scheduled through 10 p.m.
• MSNBC (channel 45): Debate preview starts at 7 p.m. Coverage continues until midnight, when the network will air the debate again.
• Fox News (channel 26): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.

Stream the debate online

Internet users have several options to watch the online. Here are a few possibilities:

• 2012 Election Central
• PolicyMic
• YouTube
• AOL

Share your thoughts on Patch’s live blog

St. Michael Patch will be hosting a live blog for the debate starting at 7:30 p.m. Jump on and share your impressions of the candidates throughout the debate—or post photos of your debate party.