Former Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) faced off last night in the first and only Vice Presidential debate, clashing over policy issues but maintaining a tone more humorous and respectful than vindictive.

The debate consisted of issue exchanges between the candidates, ranging from education, military readiness, the newly-approved abortion pill and the budget surplus during the 90-minute debate at Centre College in Danville, KY.

Both candidates stated clearly from the outset that the debate would maintain a respectful tenor, with no forays into character attacks.

"I am going to be positive tonight.

I'm not going to indulge in negative personal attacks. I'm going to talk about the issues that matter to the people of this country," Lieberman said in his opening statement.

Cheney immediately echoed Lieberman's sentiment, throwing in a dash of good-natured humor.

"I want to avoid any personal attacks. I promise not to bring up your singing," Cheney joked.

But Cheney was quick to draw distinctions between the two tickets.