USA Votes 2012

Live Blog: The Second U.S. Presidential Debate

October 16, 2012

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney (L) listens during the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney (L) listens during the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.

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9:57 PM
October 16, 2012
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Some quick instant reaction before we end the live blog for tonight. Stay with us for our wrap in a few minutes.
9:53 PM
October 16, 2012
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9:51 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley ends debate, thanking both candidates
9:50 PM
October 16, 2012
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The Benghazi security questions may have been a turning point for many tonight. 

9:40 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question 12: Man asks candidates what they believe is the biggest misconception America has about them? 
 
Romney says he wants to help the American people and that his passion flows from the fact he believes in God. He talks about serving as a missionary and a pastor. Romney says the nation doesn't have to settle for what it's going through, listing struggles such as unemployment and high gas prices.
 
Obama says a lot of the Romney campaign has been devoted to the notion that he thinks the government creates jobs. Obama says that's not what he believes and that he believes in free enterprise, self-reliance. But he says he believes everybody should play by the same rules. He says he believs Romney is a good man, loves his family and cares about his faith.
 
Obama brings up widely-criticized secretly-taped Romney comment that 47 percent of Americans think of themselves as victims. Obama says he wants to fight for them, because if they succeed, the country succeeds.
9:39 PM
October 16, 2012
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9:35 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley asks about Apple products such as iPhones and Macs being produced in China.
 
Romney says China has been "cheating." Romney says the nation will have to have people play on a fair basis to attract companies like Apple to manufacture in the U.S.
 
Obama says there are some jobs that are not going to come back to America because they are low wage, low skill jobs. He says he wants high wage high skill jobs for the nation.
 
Obama says he wants investment in research and education to help build good jobs. 
 
Romney says "government does not create jobs."
9:32 PM
October 16, 2012
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President Barack Obama, right, and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney participate in the presidential debate, October 16, 2012, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
President Barack Obama, right, and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney participate in the presidential debate, October 16, 2012, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
9:32 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question 11: Female audience member asks what plans candidates have to create jobs and keep jobs in the United States. 
 
Romney says he wants to make America the most attractive place in the world for entrepreneurs. He says the nation has to make sure that as it trades with other nations that they play by the rules. He says China hasn't, in part by manipulating its currency.
 
He says Obama refuses to label China a "currency manipulator," but that he would do so on day one as president.

Romney says the U.S. has to be competitive if it's going to create more jobs. He says regulations have quadrupled under Obama and that businesses feel they are under attack. 
 
He says Obama's health care plan has been a deterrent for businesses. He repeats that one part of his own plan for the nation is to keep China playing by the rules.

Obama says both he and Romney agree on lowering the corporate tax rate, but that he wants to close loopholes allowing companies to have tax advantages offshore, but that Romney wants to expand those tax breaks.

Obama says the nation is on pace to double its exports. He says his administration has been pushing trade deals that ensure American businesses are getting a good deal.

On China, Obama says the Chinese currency has gone up 11 percent since he's been president, because his administration has pushed them hard.
9:26 PM
October 16, 2012
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Obama says Romney was for an assault weapons ban before he was against it. Romney shakes his head after Obama says Romney changed his mind because he was seeking the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. Obama says education reforms his administration has put in place are showing gains. Overrides moderator to continue discussing the issue of education. Crowley points out "the question was guns."
9:23 PM
October 16, 2012
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9:23 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question 10: Woman asks next President Obama what his administration has done to limit the availability of assault weapons such as AK-47s.
 
Obama says his belief is that the nation has to enforce the laws it already has, make sure it's keeping guns out of hands of criminals and the mentally ill, but he says he also shares the belief that weapons designed for soldiers in war theaters don't belong on the nation's streets. 
 
He says he wants a broader conversation on how to reduce violence generally, and that part of it is introducing an assault weapons ban, but also what can the nation do to intervene to make sure young people have opportunity and that schools are working. He says he wants a comprehensive strategy.
 
Romney says he does not agree with introducing new gun laws.
 
Romney says the nation can make changes to bring people away from violence. Romney raises the issue of the heavily-criticized Fast and Furious operation designed to track weapons used by drug traffickers.
 
Romney says he would like to understand whose idea this was and why it led to the violence.
9:20 PM
October 16, 2012
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Members of the audience look on as U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as he debates Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney during the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York October 16, 2012.
Members of the audience look on as U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as he debates Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney during the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York October 16, 2012.
9:18 PM
October 16, 2012
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9:17 PM
October 16, 2012
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9:17 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley asks about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement that she was ultimately responsible for the security of those in Benghazi.
 
Obama says Secretary Clinton works for him. He then pointedly tells Romney the suggestion that anybody on his team would play politics or mislead when the nation has lost four of its own is offensive.
 
Romney charges that it took Obama administration a long time to say the attack was a terrorist act rather than a spontaneous protest as was initially stated.
9:14 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question 8: Man in the audience asks next question, this time on Libya. Directs question to Obama asking about reports that U.S. staff involved in attack in Libya were denied extra security.
 
Obama says he called for investigation into exactly what happened around the attack, which killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others. Obama says his stance was "we are going to find out who did this, and we are going to hunt them down."
 
Obama says he is ultimately responsible for what's taking place there.
 
Romney says he feels deeply sympathetic for the families of those who lost loved ones in the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. He says the president rightly acknowledged that he is responsible for the failure to provide extra security.
 
Romney criticizes Obama for holding campaign events in the days after the Benghazi attack and the death of four Americans.
 
Romney characterizes Obama strategy as a "strategy of leading from behind."
9:13 PM
October 16, 2012
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9:07 PM
October 16, 2012
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9:07 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question 7: Woman in audience asks Romney what he would do about undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
 
Romney says the country is a nation of immigrants and that "we welcome legal immigrants into this country." He says he wants the process to be streamlined.
 
Romney says he will not grant amnesty to people who have come here illegally.
 
Romney says the kids of those who came here illegally should have a pathway to become a permanent resident of the U.S., such as through military service.
 
Romney challenges Obama record on immigration, asking why Obama failed to pass an immigration bill during his first term.
 
Obama says the U.S. is a nation of immigrants. Obama says young people who have come here understand themselves as Americans and that the nation should make sure it gives them a pathway to citizenship. Obama says Romney said he would veto the DREAM Act that would allow these young people to have access. Obama says Romney encouraged self-deportation and called the Arizona law a "model for the nation."
 
Obama says Romney's charge that he did not try is not true.
 
Romney says he did not say that the Arizona law is a model for the nation but that the e-Verify portion allowing employers to determine whether a person is in the country illegally was a model for the nation.
 
Romney says his view is that Obama should have honored his promise to accomplish immigration reform in his first year in office.
 
Romney says he is not in favor of rounding up people and taking them out of this country, but of allowing them to choose.

Obama attempts to interrupt Romney as Romney begins to address issue of Chinese companies.
9:04 PM
October 16, 2012
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U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney (L) listens during the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney (L) listens during the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
8:59 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question 6: A man in the audience, saying times remain tough. Obama outlines economic progress his administration has made, but acknowledges that a lot of Americans are still struggling. 
 
He says the commitments he's made he has kept and those that he has not been able to keep are not for lack of trying. He says his administration will get it done in a second term.
 
Obama criticizes several of Romney's stated initiatives including cutting funding for Planned Parenthood and repealing the president's health care plan, also known as Obamacare. 
 
Romney tells audience member that the nation can't afford four more years like the last four years. Romney says the president has not gotten done what he said he was going to do, including on immigration. Romney says the middle class is getting crushed under the policies of a president Romney says does not know what it takes to get the economy working again.
 
Romney says the economy is growing more slowly this year than last year, and grew more slowly last year than the year before. He says the president wants to do well but that the policies he's put in place have not allowed the country to take off and grow like it could have.
 
Romney says the president has tried, but his policies haven't worked. Romney says Obama is great as a speaker but that his record shows he hasn't been able to cut the deficit or achieve other goals.
8:53 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:53 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:52 PM
October 16, 2012
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President Barack Obama speaks as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney listens during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
President Barack Obama speaks as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney listens during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
8:51 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question 5: A woman in the audience asks Romney to state the biggest difference between himself and George W. Bush.
 
She says she believes a lot of the country's problems were caused by Bush-era policies.
 
Romney follows up from the end of the last section to say he believes every woman in America should have access to contraceptives, refutes Obama statement about his view.
 
Romney says his energy policy differs from former President Bush.

Romney says he also wants to add more free trade agreements and get the nation to a balanced budget, which he said President Bush did not.

Romney says championing small business is another way he differs from former President Bush.
 
Romney says one of the things he finds most troubling about Obama's health plan is that it keeps small businesses from hiring more people.
 
He says his path is getting small businesses to grow and hire people.
 
Obama says the centerpiece of Romney's economic plan is tax cuts, which he says took the nation from surplus to deficit.
 
Obama challenges Romney statement that he will crack down on China, saying Romney is the "last person who's going to get tough on China."
 
Obama says when he said nation needs to make sure China isn't flooding U.S. with cheap tires, that Romney said he was being protectionist.
8:49 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question number 4: Young woman in audience asks candidates how they plan to rectify inequalities in the workplace - especially that women make only 70 percent of what their male counterparts earn.
 
Obama answers with personal stories about his mother and grandmother.  He says his grandmother "hit the glass ceiling." He says this is one of the reasons the first bill he signed was the Lilly Ledbetter bill.
 
Obama says this is not just a women's issue, but a family issue, a middle class issue and that's why the nation needs to fight for it.
 
Obama says the nation also needs to make college more affordable to young people. He says changes undertaken by his administration have helped millions of young people afford college. He says fighting discrimination has been one of the hallmarks of his administration and that he wants to continue that.
 
Romney says his cabinet in Massachusetts had more women in senior leadership positions than any other state in America.
 
Romney says what the nation can do to help women of all ages is to have a strong economy with employers that adapt to a flexible work schedule.

Obama says the fact that Romney would not say whether he supported the Lilly Ledbetter bill is "not the kind of advocacy we need." He also brings up the controversial health care issue of contraceptives coverage and attacks Romney's position. 
8:42 PM
October 16, 2012
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Mariella Roque, 21, of Miami, left, and Jorge Palamino, 24, of Miami, right, supporters of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, cheer as they watch a televised debate between Romney and President Barack Obama in Coral Gables, Florida.
Mariella Roque, 21, of Miami, left, and Jorge Palamino, 24, of Miami, right, supporters of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, cheer as they watch a televised debate between Romney and President Barack Obama in Coral Gables, Florida.
8:38 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:38 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:38 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:37 PM
October 16, 2012
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Obama says lowering tax rates for everybody across the board, along with what Romney wants to do in eliminating estate tax, along with changes in corporate tax code would cost the nation $5 trillion.
 
Obama says the nation has not heard from the governor any specifics beyond "Big Bird and eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood" as to how the nation will pay for his plan.
 
Obama charges that Romney's plan would either blow up the deficit or make Americans pay for it.
 
Crowley asks Romney if somehow the numbers don't add up, if somehow there isn't enough tax revenue coming in, would he be willing to look again at the rates.
 
Romney answers back by saying "Of course they add up." He says he knows what it takes to balance a budget after running a business, after his experience with the Olympics.
8:36 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:32 PM
October 16, 2012
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Third question:  Woman asks Romney about his tax plan, specifically in those areas important to the middle class.
 
Romney says he wants to simplify the tax code and get middle income taxpayers to have lower taxes.
 
Romney says the middle income families in America "have been crushed" over the last four years.
 
Romney says he's going to limit exemptions and credit for those particularly at the high end, says they won't pay any less than they're paying now.
 
Romney says every middle income taxpayer will no longer pay any tax on interest, dividends and capital gains. Romney says he wants to help people in the middle class because they have been "buried" during the past four years. He says he will not "under any circumstances" reduce the share being paid by the highest income taxpayers.
 
Obama says his philosophy on taxes has been simple. He wants to give middle class families some relief, because, he says, they have been hit hard. Obama says he has already cut taxes for middle class families, small businesses and that he wants to continue tax cuts for middle class families and small businesses. But he says if the nation is serious about reducing the deficit, in addition to tough spending cuts, it has to make sure the weatlthy do a little bit more.
 
Obama says those making above $250,000 should go back to the tax rates they had when Bill Clinton was president. He says that will be good for the economy and job creation.
 
Obama says he fundamentally disagrees with Romney's stance on taxes. Obama says he believes tax credits, not cuts, are what grow the economy.
 
Romney says bringing down tax rates for small businesses mean they can hire more people. He says the nation does not have to "settle" for the current unemployment rate.

Romney says he wants to help small businesses grow and thrive and that he knows why jobs come and go. He says they're going now because of policies of the Obama administration.
8:30 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:29 PM
October 16, 2012
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Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama spar over energy policy during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University, October 16, 2012.
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama spar over energy policy during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University, October 16, 2012.
8:25 PM
October 16, 2012
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First Question: a 20-year old college student asks Romney what he can say to reassure him and his parents that he will be able to secure employment when he graduates.
President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney greet each other as they arrive for the presidential debate, October 16, 2012.
President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney greet each other as they arrive for the presidential debate, October 16, 2012.
Romney says this is a question being asked by college students across the country. Says the country needs to make it easier for students to both afford college and for them to be able to find a job once they graduate.
 
Romney says he knows what it takes to create good jobs again and ensure students like Jeremy (the student who asked the question) have opportunities.
 
Obama takes his turn answering. He tells Jeremy his "future is bright."
 
Obama says three things need to happen: build U.S. manufacturing jobs again and make sure the nation has the best education system in the world and that it controls its own energy.
8:24 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:23 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley asks Obama to address Romney's question about his own energy policy and its effect on gas prices.
 
Obama says Romney's policies will get country "back in that same mess."
 
Obama says he wants to create an economy that is strong.
 
Obama says he is all for pipelines and oil production, but not for ignoring other half of the equation, such as wind production.
 
Romney overrides moderator attempt to move on to next question. 
8:21 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley follows up by asking whether it's in the purview of the government to bring gas prices down.
 
Obama says U.S. oil production has gone up and that the U.S. is using its resources more efficiently. Says natural gas isn't just appearing magically, but that the administration is encouraging it. 
 
Obama criticizes Romney for once taking pride in shutting down a coal plant. Obama says the nation's oil imports are down to the lowest level in 20 years, oil production is up, natural gas production is up and the country is building cars that are more efficient.
 
Obama says U.S. oil production has gone up and that the U.S. is using its resources more efficiently. Says natural gas isn't just appearing magically, but that the administration is encouraging it. 
 
Obama criticizes Romney for once taking pride in shutting down a coal plant. Obama says the nation's oil imports are down to the lowest level in 20 years, oil production is up, natural gas production is up and the country is building cars that are more efficient.
 
Romney charges that oil production on government land is down, Obama denies the charge, saying that's "not true."
 
Romney says he doesn't think anybody believes Obama is a person for gas, oil or coal, and says he will fight for them. The gas exchange gets tense with both candidates interrupting each other.
 
Romney says he will fight to create more energy in this country and to get America more energy secure. Says part of that is bringing in a pipeline from Canada.
8:19 PM
October 16, 2012
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President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney participate in the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney participate in the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
8:17 PM
October 16, 2012
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Question 2: An audience member asks if candidates agree that it is not the job of the energy department to lower gas prices.
 
Obama says the most important thing US can do is make sure it controls its own energy.
 
Obama describes improvements under his administration, including increase in coal production.
 
Obama says the US has lowered its oil imports to the lowest level in 16 years. He says the US has potentially 600,000 jobs underneath its feet with natural gas, says the US must also pursue efficient/clean energy sources and that will lower gas prices.
 
Obama says China and Germany are making these investments, and he's not going to cede jobs of the future to those companies.
 
Romney says, "let's look at president's policies, instead of the rhetoric." Romney says none of the U.S. additional oil production was on federal land, because the president cut in half the number of licenses and permits for drilling on federal land and in federal waters.
 
Romney says country should take advantage of energy resources it has as well as energy resources of the future. Says he will get America and North America energy-independent within eight years, in part with more drilling.
8:14 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:12 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:11 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley follows up by asking what the candidates can do for those long-term unemployed who need a job right now.
 
Romney answers first, says Obama's policies have not put Americans back to work. Romney says the unemployment rate is the same as it was when the president took office - 7.8 percent.
 
Romney touts his five-point plan, saying it will bring 12 million new jobs in 4 years and a rise in take-home pay.
 
Romney and Obama spar on auto industry. Obama charges that Romney's prescription would not have worked.
 
Obama goes ont the attack, saying Romney's five-point plan would make sure those at the top, those making the most money, don't play by the same rules
8:07 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:07 PM
October 16, 2012
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8:07 PM
October 16, 2012
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A bit about how Candy Crowley feels about the debate tonight. 
8:03 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley says Romney won coin toss so first question goes to him.
8:03 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley says she hopes to get to as many audience questions as possible. Says each candidate has as much as 2 minutes to respond to each question, followed by a 2 minute follow-up.
Crowley welcomes President Obama and Governor Romney to debate hall,who enter to applause and shake hands. 
8:02 PM
October 16, 2012
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And we're off! Crowley begins debate introduction with a rundown of the rules. 
7:59 PM
October 16, 2012
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Hofstra University junior Corinne Mestemacher poses with cardboard cut outs of President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ahead of the presidential debate, Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
Hofstra University junior Corinne Mestemacher poses with cardboard cut outs of President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ahead of the presidential debate, Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012.
7:58 PM
October 16, 2012
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Crowley tells debate attendees they have a "front row seat to history."
7:57 PM
October 16, 2012
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Moderator Candy Crowley enters debate hall, saying, "Thank you, all." Repeats to audience that they must turn off "everything
7:56 PM
October 16, 2012
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Some are ready for the questions, but fashion is still a hot topic for others.
7:54 PM
October 16, 2012
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Interesting tidbit...

7:53 PM
October 16, 2012
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The hosts for the debate at Hofstra University are introducing First Lady Michelle Obama and the wife of Governor Romney, Ann Romney. The moderator for tonight, Candy Crowley of CNN, should be coming up soon.
7:52 PM
October 16, 2012
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The stakes certainly seem high tonight.

7:46 PM
October 16, 2012
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7:43 PM
October 16, 2012
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7:42 PM
October 16, 2012
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7:42 PM
October 16, 2012
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7:40 PM
October 16, 2012
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7:38 PM
October 16, 2012
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A few pictures from the Twitterverse to get us started tonight.
This forum has been closed.
Comment Sorting
Comments
     
by: Ron from: Los Altos, CA
October 16, 2012 11:04 PM
Great victory by President Obama. Romney looked flustered and like the clueless plutocrat he is. With his final statement, Obama blew Romney out of the ballpark.


by: kathy brown from: North Carolina
October 16, 2012 10:54 PM
It's clear to me Mitt Romney won the debate tonight. Obama got caught in one of many of his lies tonight about standing in the Rose Garden the next day after the Ambassator of Libya was murder by terrorist. Obama has told his lies so much that he actually believes them.


by: Pat Burns from: Chicago
October 16, 2012 10:19 PM
Is Candy Crowley biased?


by: vg from: atlanta
October 16, 2012 10:14 PM
I am a little surprised that Candy Crowley is unable to control Gov Romney. Where are Robert's Rules for order...the clock means nothing and it seems as if she's been bullied to ignore the time limits. Gov Romney is behaving like a little kid who isn't content until he has the last say.


by: Evan Chmielewski from: Cleveland OH
October 16, 2012 9:54 PM
I am 16 and the governors policy's are what will change I am the one that will be paying for all of this debt don't you want my generation to have a fighting chance in the world let us stand up to china and make the USA as great as it was back in the 80's with Regan


by: amy morgan from: indiana
October 16, 2012 9:21 PM
Romney's response about more energy at home on federal lands and criticism of the president's energy policy and practices do not make him an attractive candidate to me. His plan to drill on federal lands is not what is desired! Protect Yellowstone and other public lands. Thank you Obama for innovatitive initiatives for alternative energy sources. Romney is a scary man.

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