After watching the vice-presidential debate Thursday night, I came away with this thought: I would love to have been a fly on the proverbial wall when President Obama called Vice President Biden to congratulate him for some pretty stellar work on behalf of the Democratic ticket.

Imagine that the phone rang in Biden’s limo as he left the debate venue.

Biden: Hello, Mr. President?

Obama: After watching you tonight, Mr. Vice President, I only can say that you took me to school. And by the way, I’m going to call you “Mr. Vice President” from now on. No more just plain “Joe” from me, sir.

Biden: What do you mean, I took you to school?

Obama: You instructed me with cold precision on just how a politician brings his A-game to a debate. I messed up the other night in that first debate with Mitt Romney. It won’t happen again. I guarantee it. After watching your full frontal assault on Paul Ryan, I now know what I have to do the next time Romney and I get together for Round Two.

Biden: Well, thank you, Mr. President. I’m a loyal soldier and, let’s face it – to borrow a phrase they say down in Texas – this wasn’t my first rodeo. But as you probably will find out, the Republicans thought their guy won and Democrats will think I won. But here’s the thing: We got our base fired up once again. I’m pretty sure we’ve at least stopped the momentum Romney gained after the Round One of your debate. And don’t forget that their base is fired up too.

Obama: OK then. Thanks for teeing it up for me. But if you don’t mind, I probably won’t laugh next week as much as you did.

Biden: Suit yourself, Mr. President. But you’d better bring it or else we both may be out of a job in January.