Biden chided McCain for being "dead wrong" in his views on the U.S. economy and the management of the wars in Iraq an Afghanistan.

"He has been dead wrong on these issues," Biden told CNN, referring to the Bush administration military strategy in Iraq. "He's been tethered to a failed policy that got us into this position."

The Delaware senator implied that McCain lacked a plan to wind down the U.S. presence in Iraq and was content to focus the debate on the success of the 2007 troop surge, credited with tamping down the insurgent violence.

"The surge is over," Biden said. "What does he do next?"

While Biden plunged into the familiar "attack-dog" role of a presidential running mate, Republican vice presidential nominee was not immediately heard from after the debate. McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was in Philadelphia Friday night, where she attended a pre-debate party at an Irish pub.