Oh, what a night!
Tonight marked the second presidential debate, which was hosted at Hofstra University in Long Island, NY. Moderated by CNN’s Candy Crowley, the debate was staged in the form of a town meeting, which gave undecided voters the chance to ask President Obama and Governor Romney about 10 different questions on foreign and domestic issues.
The night started off with a more aggressive and assertive President, who addressed all the issues straight on. Likewise, Romney was visibly frustrated and sometimes overly aggressive, appearing to get in the President’s face in a bully-like fashion.
Obama had great answers and spoke effectively when it came to the issues of women’s rights and immigration. However, he didn’t speak much about his plans for the future. He called out Romney’s untruths and was far less polite than in the first debate.
In contrast, Romney had a good answer when it came to energy, but he had a very weak moment on the issue of Libya, when he jumbled the facts on the President’s statement that the attacks were an act of terror.
Here are some of the questions that were addressed:
First question was asked from Jeremy Epstein, a 20 year-old student with concerns about unemployment after graduation. Romney started with a story about someone he met on the campaign trail and went on to stay that he wants to keep the Pell grant program growing, despite the fact that he proposed cutting education by 20 percent and cut education more than any other governor the in US.
Crowley asked for “a more immediate answer” from Mr. Romney to address people who need jobs now. He replied addressing Obama’s comment about letting Detroit go bankrupt.
Contention sparked when Obama then rebutted, saying that Romney’s plan was to let Detroit go bankrupt without providing them with resources.
Do you agree that lowering gas prices is not the job of the Energy Department?
Romney bragged about more drilling and questioned Obama’s judgement on denying to open another major pipeline. He also stressed that oil production is down. Obama shot back by saying oil production is actually up and pointed out how Romney, as Governor, took pride in shutting a coal mine down, but “now suddenly you’re a champion of coal,” he said.
The next question: Romney’s $5 trillion tax cut and how it would affect the middle class.
Romney vowed to eliminate taxes on middle class families by eliminating taxes on their dividends and savings accounts. Obama responded to this question, talking about how he cut taxes for the middle class by $3600 and his comments on “60 Minutes” stating that he is perfectly fine with paying less taxes than middle income Americans.
Romney reiterated that he doesn’t want to cut taxes for the rich. Obama called him out stating, “the math doesn’t add up.” Romney’s tax cut plan will blow up the deficit or close deductions for the middle class. “You can’t buy this sales pitch.”
On the issue of women: Romney stated that he actually advocated for more women to be a part of his team and that by strengthening the economy, everyone will have jobs and all women will get employers offering them all sorts of benefits. However, he didn’t actually address the issue of the Lilly Ledbetter bill that enforces equal pay for women, which Obama points out.
In his reply, Obama talked about healthcare as an issue for women in the workforce, stating, “He suggested that employers should make the decision whether or not women should get contraception through their insurers.”
When the issue of gun rights came up: Obama spoke about comforting and praying for the victims of the Colorado theater shooting. He stated that he needs to enforce the laws that we already have and that war weapons don’t belong on our streets. He talked about reducing the violence on the streets and combating the street violence in Chicago through education and comprehensive gun laws.
Romney stated his reply, saying that we don’t need more gun rights, and pointed fingers at unwed parents for street violence.
In his rebuttal, Obama stressed the importance of prioritizing education to keep young people off the streets.
What plans do you have to bring back and keep jobs in the US?
Romney talked about cracking down on China.
Obama talked about lowering the corporate tax rate by closing loopholes for companies that outsource jobs.
One of the last questions of the night addressed bringing Apple product manufacturing back to the US.
Romney said we need to level the playing field and making America more “appealing.”
Obama spoke candidly about bringing “high skill, high wage jobs” back to the US.
The last question gave the candidates a chance to combat misconceptions about themselves. Romney stated that he “cares about 100 percent of the American people.”
Obama used the opportunity to talk about Romney’s “47 percent “comment in which he infamously trashed half the nation as “victims” and government dependents.
Sidenote: Things got feisty during the debate. See Romney cut off Obama using aggression…
Watch the debate in its entirety above.
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The last and final debate will take place on Monday, October 22 and will focus on foreign policy.
