Should viewers expect to see Vice President Joe Biden go on offense Thursday night in his debate with Republican Paul Ryan as a way to shore up President Obama's debate performance last week? Should Ryan de-emphasize his conservative views as a way of shoring up the support of swing voters?

These were among some of the ideas raised by participants in the latest Red Arch/Blue Arch survey, a non-scientific look at issues and events surrounding the 2012 campaign cycle. Responses came from 23 Republicans and 17 Democrats.

When asked which candidate would win the debate, 96 percent of Republicans said Ryan would win by a slim or a wide margin. Four percent were neutral. When asked the same question 70.6 percent of Democrats predicted a Biden win, 17.7 percent chose Ryan while 11.8 percent were neutral. 

Here's a look at how our group of activists, candidates, officials and voters answered some of our questions. We invite you to weigh in before during and after the debate with your thoughts.

What does Joe Biden need to do to stand out in the mind of liberals and progressives in Missouri?

"Keep his cool and make no mistakes."

"Make sure he stresses all the points Obama left out."

What does Joe Biden need to do to stand out in the mind of swing voters in Missouri?

"Not lose. He cannot come out flat or unaffected like Obama"

What will Paul Ryan need to do to stand out in the mind of conservatives in Missouri?

"Be respectful of older Biden but be clear in presenting the facts and staying on message. Ask Biden why no budget from Senate since Biden President Of Senate."

"Stress economic recovery needed and the lack of impact the expensive stimulus has had."

What will Paul Ryan need to do to stand out in the mind of swing voters in Missouri?

"Show his humanity."

Republican Final Thoughts:

"Really, Biden just needs to speak short sentences in English w/o insulting anyone to exceed expectations, so his bar is VERY low, whereas Ryan is expected to be Henry Clay Jr."

"VP Biden is underestimated. He did very well in the 2008 VP debate where he was able to bring policy understanding and a folksy charm to bear."

"There is an expectation that Biden will misspeak at one point. It will be a surprise if Ryan does not do well.

Democratic Final Thoughts

"I don't think this debate will be a bigger challenge than Palin 4 yrs ago. Biden does not have to hold back in the same way he did against Palin. He needs to compensate for Obama's performance."

"Joe already has an agressive "take no prisoners" reputation. He just has to avoid some of his "foot in mouth" gaffes."

"Joe Biden is a seasoned statesman and he will have his way with Ryan."

WATCH THE DEBATES WITH PATCH AT THE MOVIES!

Join us at one of two locations for the Biden-Ryan debate on Thursday night: Wehrenberg's Des Peres 14 Cine or St. Charles 18 Cine theaters. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and we'll start with another round of presidential trivia.

After the debate, we hope to hear more of your views on how you think the candidates did.

We're also happy to be joined again by our news partner FOX2.

And don't forget to enter a drawing for a Wehrenberg movie-treasure gift basket by signing up for a free Patch email newsletter. You can do that by clicking on this story at Ballwin-Ellisville Patch.

You can also sign up at either of the Wehrenberg Theatres (see the official rules of the contest attached to the article as a PDF, along with the photos).

The Red Arch/Blue Arch Survey 

Patch political surveys are not a scientific random sample of any larger population, but rather an effort to listen to a swath of influential local Republican and Democratic activists, party leaders and elected officials in Missouri. All of these individuals have agreed to participate in the surveys, although not all responded to this week's questions. Interviews for this poll were conducted October 9-10. 

Patch will be conducting Red Arch and Blue Arch surveys throughout 2012 in hopes of determining the true sentiment of conservatives, liberals and moderates on the ground in Missouri.

If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in a bi-weekly survey that lasts just a few minutes, please email Gregg.Palermo@patch.com.

The Red Arch Roster:

Ruth Springer (former Olivette Mayor), Frederic Steinbach (former Chesterfield Mayor), Randy Jotte (Candidate for Congress), Katy Forand (Gravois Township Committeewoman) Scott Rupp (State Senator/Secretary of State Candidate), Rick Stokes (Wentzville Alderman/State Rep. Candidate), Charlie Hinderliter (State Legislative campaign manager), Mark Parkinson (State Rep.), Chrissy Sommer (State Rep.), Jon Bennett (St. Charles Township Committeeman), Eugene Dokes (Chairman of St. Charles County Republican Central Committee), Chuck Gross (former State Senator), Cheryl Bates (St. Charles Young Republicans President), Penny Henke (St. Charles County Republican Central Committeewoman), Joe Cronin (St. Charles County Council), Terry Hollander (St. Charles County Council), Mike Nunnery (Republican voter), Jim Pepper (O'Fallon City Council), David Blanke (Lewis & Clark Republican Township Committeeman), Robyn Hamlin (Candidate for Congress), Don Bickowski (Jefferson County Council member), Linda Van De Riet (Jefferson County Republican Central Committee member), Renee Reuter (Jefferson County Council Member), D.J. Cully (Jefferson County Council candidate), Roy W. Sims (High Ridge Township Republican committeeman candidate), Celeste Witzel (GOP Committeewoman for the Oakville Township), Alan Leaderbrand (GOP Committeeman for the Lemay Township), Kourtney Lamb (President of the Brentwood Young Republicans), Dennis Broadbooks , (Wild Horse Township), Eileen Tyrrell (Meramec Township Member), Judy Hon (Chesterfield Township Committeewoman), Anne Gassel (Wild Horse Township Committeewoman), Chris Howard (Lafayette Township Committeeman/Convention Delegate), Kevin Rejent (Election Attorney), Richard C. Rowe (Republican voter), Rekha Sharma (State Rep. Candidate), Darin Morley (Reboot Congress blogger), Mark Zinn (GOP Consultant), Cynthia Davis (candidate for Lt. Governor), Sue Allen (State Rep.), Claire Chosid (Republican voter), John Diehl (State Rep.), Lee Presser (blogger/tv host), Gabe Jones (Attorney General candidate Ed Martin's Communications Director), Carl Bearden (Former State Rep/Exec. Dir. United for Missouri), Michael Morton (Regional Political Director/Ann Wagner campaign), Christopher Brooks (Candidate For County Central Committee), Marsha Haefner (State Rep.), Cloria Brown (State Rep.), Philip Scherry (Rock Hill Alderman), Derek Michael Spencer (Regional Political Director/Brad Lager For Lt. Gov.), Brian Spencer (State Rep. candidate), Catherine Dreher (Candidate for Committeewoman candidate), Annette Read (Candidate, Missouri River Township GOP Committeewoman), Chris Gard (State Rep. candidate), Anthony Pousosa (St. Louis County Council candidate), Kit Crancer (Chief of Staff, State Senator Jane Cunningham), Cole McNary (Candidate for State Treasurer), Michael Burr (Creve Coeur Township Committee Candidate), Maria Burr (Creve Coeur Township Committee Candidate), Bill Stouffer (Candidate for Secretary of State), Tyler Holyfield (State Rep. Candidate), David Wissler (Gravois Township Committee candidate), Pat Walker (Maryland Heights Township Committee candidate), Maggie Walker (Maryland Heights Township Committee candidate), Scott Pinkham (Boone Township Committee candidate), Teresa Douglas (Lemay Township committee candidate), Larry McGowen (Wildwood City Council), Marc Perez (former State Rep. candidate), Arthur Merdinian (Mayor of Olivette), Walt Young (Former Ballwin Mayor), Bryan Koen (Florissant Township Committeeman)

The Blue Arch Roster: Jake Zimmerman (St. Louis County Assessor), Bert Boxerman (Creve Coeur Township Committeeman), Tracy McCreery (State Representative), Jeanne Antoine (Olivette City Council), Missy Waldman (Olivette City Council), Richard Callow (PR Strategist), John Callahan (Committeeman for St. Charles County Township), Julie Biermann (Committeewoman for St. Charles County Township), Charissa Mayes (Committeewoman for St. Charles County Township), Jerry Daugherty (St. Charles County Councilman), Keith English (Florissant City Councilman/State Rep. candidate), Mary Elizabeth Dorsey (Florissant Township Committeewoman), Chuck Banks (Former Jefferson County Executive), Jo Ann Karll (DNC Convention delegate), Mary Broida (Fenton Committeewoman), Bob Usher (Voter), Tammy Vent (Rock Township Committeewoman), LaDonna Appelbaum (Convention Delegate), Timothy Green (State Senator), Gina Mitten (Richmond Heights Councilmember/State Rep. Candidate), Jill Schupp (State Representative), Jim Descher (Voter), Ken Curtis (West County Democrats Co-Chair), Steve Biggs (Meramec Township Committeeman), John Niemeyer (Meramec Township), Jim Frain  (Voter), Julie Dougherty (Voter), Linda Robson (Voter), Jim McHugh (Aide to former St. Louis County Executive), Molly McHugh (St. Louis County Planning Commission), Bob Burns (Affton School Board), Mark Powell (Former Arnold Mayor), John Messmer (Former DNC alternative delegate), Karl Frank, Jr. (Former Mehlville School Board Member/Activist), Donna Seidel (activist), Tom Diehl (Former School Board Member/Activist), Jim Barrett (Activist), Harvey Ferdman (Maryland Heights Township 2nd VP), Rod Jennings (University City School Board Member), Jane Dueker (Former Assistant AG/Chief of Staff To Governor Bob Holden), Gina Walsh (State Senate Candidate), Morton Todd (St. Charles County Democratic Committee Chairman), Mary "Kate" Laughlin (Voter), Rod Hoffman (State Rep. Candidate), Beverly Cowling (Voter), Bill Stinson (State Rep.), Russ Craven (St. Charles County Democratic Central Committee), Theresa Borchert (Voter), Jim Karll (Voter), Jeff Wagener (Former St. Louis County Councilman), Pat Dolan (St. Louis County Council), Stacey Newman (State Representative), Cheryl Hibbeler (Former St. Charles County Council Representative), Deb Lavender (State Rep. Candidate), Kevin O'Malley (Fundraiser/Alternate Convention Delegate), Susan Meredith (State Rep. candidate), Susan Montee (Lt. Governor candidate), Bob Burns (State Rep. Candidate), Jim Karll (St. Charles County Democrats), Gloria Nickerson (Activist), Maureen Rogers-Bouxsein (Activist), Jo Ann Hughes (Activist)