We saw a different president last night. Still reeling from a massive debate flop that cost Obama the popular vote, the president came to Hofstra University prepared and with a hunger for redemption.
According to break-out polls, it worked … kind of. Obama was polled the winner in last night’s, town-hall style, debate. However, the results were much closer than the Oct. 3 debate.
The moderator, Candy Crowley, struggled to keep the candidates in check. At one point, President Obama spoke over Crowley and Romney noting, “I’m used to being interrupted.”
The president came off aggressive at times, but so did Governor Romney. In fact, at one point in the evening the candidates circled each other, bickering like siblings on a road-trip.
The first question led to an oratorical fire-fight that left both candidates on edge. Their body language became pointed, jagged and their speech became more and more critical as the candidates fought to get the last word in on their opponent.
Obama retorted often throughout the night, “What Mr. Romney said simply isn’t true.”
Romney urged the viewers to “look at the policies opposed to the rhetoric” when it came to the president.
The candidates had their way with the questions, often disregarding the point of the question and instead using it as a jumping-off points to emphasize their campaign objectives.
For example, one audience member asked the candidates their stances on gun control, specifically automatic weapons. Romney weaved in his stances on education and two parent house-holds while making note of the president’s inferior policies.
When Crowley pressed Romney to answer the question more clearly, he surprisingly changed his stance from one he held during his term as Massachusetts Governor.
However, Tuesday’s debate did in fact contain intense conversation, even if it was rough around the edges. Here are a few main points:
- Romney was able to clarify his tax plan to the American public.
- Obama took responsibility for the embassy deaths.
- Romney conveyed to voters that the president’s policies have been hurting not helping economic growth.
- Obama painted Romney as a man who shifts on the issues.
- Romney attacked the president’s foreign policy, making the case that it conveys weakness abroad.
- Obama told the public that Romney, and the GOP, intends to advantage the rich and put the burden on the middle-class.
Both candidates did their best to reach out to women voters
who will ultimately swing the election. Romney may have slipped up though when
he uttered the phrase “binders full of women.” The inter-web was all over that before the
debate even ended.
To be fair, Romney was referring to a high number of applications and recommendations for his Massachusetts cabinet appointees and the comment was in no way meant to be insensitive.
Obama was able to step in and press Romney over his reluctance to say whether or not he would have signed the Lily Ledbetter bill. Obama also made a, perhaps, more emotional case, "I've got two daughters and I want to make sure that they have the same opportunities that anybody's sons have."
However when it came to deciding a winner, polls show Obama just slid past Romney. Obama was able drive his points a bit more effectively.
So was this debate the saving-grace that the Obama campaign needed to lock-in another four years?
Not really. Obama blew that chance with his lack-luster performance in his first rhetorical tango with Romney on Oct 3. As a consequence, Obama must fight for every inch his re-election. But, he was able to redeem himself. And he certainly won the most improved award for the night.
As of now, national polls haven’t swung either way due to the debate but they do show that, while Romney leads in the popular vote, the projected Electoral College favors Obama. Perhaps the president will win his re-election by pulling a Bush*. It’s looking like that may be the case.
Now we look forward to the last of three presidential debates scheduled for Oct 22 at Lynn University, Florida.
*The act of winning a national election that you don’t really deserve to win because of the outdated Electoral College system’s failure to quantify public votes in a rational manner.
Story by Christian Zerbel
To be fair, Romney was referring to a high number of applications and recommendations for his Massachusetts cabinet appointees and the comment was in no way meant to be insensitive.
Obama was able to step in and press Romney over his reluctance to say whether or not he would have signed the Lily Ledbetter bill. Obama also made a, perhaps, more emotional case, "I've got two daughters and I want to make sure that they have the same opportunities that anybody's sons have."
However when it came to deciding a winner, polls show Obama just slid past Romney. Obama was able drive his points a bit more effectively.
So was this debate the saving-grace that the Obama campaign needed to lock-in another four years?
Not really. Obama blew that chance with his lack-luster performance in his first rhetorical tango with Romney on Oct 3. As a consequence, Obama must fight for every inch his re-election. But, he was able to redeem himself. And he certainly won the most improved award for the night.
As of now, national polls haven’t swung either way due to the debate but they do show that, while Romney leads in the popular vote, the projected Electoral College favors Obama. Perhaps the president will win his re-election by pulling a Bush*. It’s looking like that may be the case.
Now we look forward to the last of three presidential debates scheduled for Oct 22 at Lynn University, Florida.
*The act of winning a national election that you don’t really deserve to win because of the outdated Electoral College system’s failure to quantify public votes in a rational manner.
Story by Christian Zerbel
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