Obama, Romney Strongly Debate in Town Hall; Campaigns Power On - The Road to the White House - Election 2012 - Week 42

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Category: Beltway Insider

Published on Saturday, 20 October 2012 23:51

Written by Janet Walker

President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney met for a second debate, this week, at Hofstra University to address the hot button issues of the 2012 Presidential campaign.

 In an effort to sway the estimated ten million undecided voters, the two candidates engaged in direct audience answers and gladiatorial challenges from each other.

With 17 days until the general election, according to Gallup, President Obama’s Job Approval gained a single percentage point over the past week to 49% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness remained unchanged at 46%.

As of October 21, 2012, among registered voters President Obama’s national popularity dropped three percentage points to 46% and Mitt Romney’s national popularity gained three percentage points to 49%.

As we edge closer to the November election Gallup has added an additional poll that tabulates likely voters as opposed to only registered voters. According to Gallup among Likely voters, Mitt Romney’s national popularity surged two percentage points hurdling the 50% mark to 51% and President Obama’s national popularity among likely voters dropped two percentage points to 45%.

Hofstra Town Hall Debate

Hofstra University in Nassau County, Long Island, New York served as host to the second of three Presidential Debates. CNN’s Candy Crowley moderated the 90 minute question and answer session with pre-selected questions gathered by Gallup from a group of undecided voters. President Obama and Governor Romney did not have access to the questions prior to the debate.

Questions ranged from job creation, gasoline prices to immigration and the murder of Libyan diplomat Chris Stephens highlighting the issues that have resonated throughout the campaign.  Both candidates agree on the need for job creation and while Obama has made it clear that, middle income, manufacturing jobs are his priority and while certainly the backbone of the American economy, job creation at higher levels were not mentioned. Romney stressed across the board job creation to include higher income opportunities.

When discussing immigration both candidates agreed that we are a nation of law and illegal immigrants break the law. Self-deportation or making the situation intolerable so the illegal returns to their own country or a move to another was discussed. The issues surrounding services and status were mentioned and discussed without red flag revelations.

Gasoline prices seemed to be a sticking point that really went unanswered. The “talk” was clearly there and the policy and procedures were heavily debated between the candidates but as far as a solid answer to the question neither had an immediate plan nor forecast that would result in a substantial reduction or, for that matter, any reduction in at the pump prices.

While Women’s reproductive issues where not put forward in the questioning President Obama did mention that Romney’s budget cuts would include Big Bird and Planned Parenthood tossing out the hot button issues brought up in the first debate.

Among women voter’s reproductive medical decisions are the number one issue as the GOP team has stated their platform which limits personal choice. Roe vs. Wade, the landmarked legislation that made abortion legal, will not change. Boundaries have been created and time limits are present to include viability, or the ability of the fetus to live outside the womb, which now stands at 21 weeks and outlawing third trimester abortions. Most advocates agree that should the life of the mother be in jeopardy, rape or incest, abortions can be performed. Additional laws include severely damaged fetus by choice.

For the approximately ten million undecided voters’ the election can be reduced to which candidate’s promises are more believable and which candidate’s those voters feel the promises made have a better chance of being realized.

Presidential Debate

Moderating the final Election 2012 Presidential Debate scheduled for Monday October 22 will be Bob Schieffer host of CBS Sunday morning’s “Face the Nation.” The final debate, which should be heated, will be on Foreign Policy.

For more information on both candidates:

Obama/Biden Official web site: http://www.barackobama.com/

Romney/Ryan official web site: http://www.mittromney.com/