Tuesday night ushered in the second Presidential Debate featuring President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, this time from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. This debate was structured as a “town hall” event with questions primarily coming from a pre-screened audience of undecided voters. The moderator was Candy Crowley, CNN’s Chief Political Correspondent.
Watch the complete 90 minute video:
Transcript: Flash Transcript from ABC News
Original Air Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Report from Fox News:
President Obama and Mitt Romney tangled in the opening moments of their second debate on the economy, taxes and energy – as the president tried to make up for lost ground in the wake of his opening debate performance.
The president was decidedly more aggressive Tuesday as the debate at Hofstra University in New York got under way.
He mocked Romney’s five-point economic plan and referenced Romney’s tenure at private equity firm Bain Capital.
“Governor Romney says he’s got a five-point plan. Governor Romney doesn’t have a five-point plan. He has a one-point plan. And that plan is to make sure that folks at the top play by a different set of rules,” Obama said. “That’s been his philosophy in the private sector. That’s been his philosophy as a governor. And that’s been his philosophy as a presidential candidate.”
Romney called Obama’s assessment “way off the mark.”
While Obama said Romney’s policies are “squeezing middle-class families,” the Republican nominee claimed president’s policies were doing the same.
“The president’s policies have been exercised over the last four years, and they haven’t put Americans back to work,” Romney said.The two candidates frequently interrupted each other, in what was turning out to be a feistier face-off than the first round.
This debate was certainly much more confrontational than the first Presidential debate back on October 3rd.
The next and final Presidential Debate occurs on Monday, October 22, 2012.
Donate Now to Support Election Central
- Help defend independent journalism
- Directly support this website and our efforts