With less than two weeks until the next U.S. presidential election, candidates Mitt Romney and Barack Obama duke it out in their last formal debate together. The gloves are definitely off at this point, and in case you live under a rock here is a recap of the first three rounds. Current President Obama and Massachusetts Governor Romney are both fathers, and Harvard graduates. Despite their Alma Mater, these two men have strong fundamental differences, which have been brought to light by the media.
The first debate took place Oct. 3 in Denver, Colo. Romney was on fire, and Obama was celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary.
Former Gov. Romney stepped into the ring well equipped to battle the President. Initial remarks would indicate that he was alert, strong and thorough with his responses.
“I’m concerned that the path we’re on has just been unsuccessful. The president has a view similar to the one he had when he ran four years, that a bigger government, spending more, taxing more, regulating more, – if you will, trickle-down government – would work.” Romney said.
Despite the devastating blow the Obama administration seems to have endured during the first debate due to President Obama’s inattentiveness, the internet was swarming with independent fact checkers. As the implementation of technology increased to help candidates in this election, the same technology can be used to display and dispel myths in an immediate fashion. The following hours the media coverage, as well as online blogging from around the world, had much to say about this debate.
The first round was over and Obama made his way to Madison, Wis. bruised, but not beat, and Romney celebrated his victory in Fishersville, Va.
Tagging in for round two was Vice President Joe Biden and Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan. This debate was seen in Danville, Ken. on Oct. 11. Ryan was sharp and decisive, but Biden’s experience made him even sharper and dynamic. Biden’s gestures, facial expressions, and overall reaction gave the impression that young Paul Ryan wouldn’t be suited to take the seat of Vice President. When Martha Raddatz asked questions like “Why not very slowly raise the Medicare eligibility age by two years, as Rep. Ryan suggests?” Biden responded by professing his experience.
“Look, I was there when we did that with Social Security in 1983… We made the system solvent to 2033. We will not, though, be part of any voucher plan eliminating (Medicare),” said Biden.
“Nobody’s proposing that. Barack Obama, four years ago, running for president, said if you don’t have any fresh ideas, use stale tactics to scare voters. If you don’t have a good record to run on, paint your opponent as someone people should run from,” said Ryan.
Biden’s victory rejuvenated the incumbent party. Meanwhile Romney formally apologizes for his statements on the 47 percent as being fundamentally wrong by Romney’s own admission just after the first debate. Obama’s campaign clings on to single sound bytes and phrases by Romney.
Round three and the candidates tag back in and come out swinging. Obama is vibrant, strong and in control. Taking place in Hempstead, New York and moderated by Candy Crowley of CNN has a hard time of keeping candidates in line. Several pre-established rules were complained about or broken, mostly regarding deviation from the topic, going over time with rebuttal, or just plain interrupting. The highlight of this exchange occurred when Romney asked deep questions regarding the administration’s knowledge and response to the recent attacks in Benghazi.
Romney’s jab at the incumbent backfired and awarded a technical point for the Democratic campaign. The Obama administration was also able to grab another byte from Romney during his answer to a question about pay equity for women. A well-intentioned but poorly articulated response from Mitt Romney that incited uproar in the online community. Preparation for the fourth and final round has analysts, news stations and enthusiasts excited and speculating the outcome. Absentee votes begin to be weighed, and new stats come in by the hour. No doubt the final round will help decide much of the outcome of this presidential election.