Obama-Romney Round Two: Bounce back
President Obama needed to show he could fight, and defend his recession- and war-battered four years in office. And he showed up ready to do battle, in a performance that observers say is likely to stop the bleeding in a campaign that has seen dramatic losses in the polls.
But whether it is enough to propel the president ahead of Mitt Romney remains to be seen. Romney held his own, and got in harsh lines such as telling voters Obama can only offer a “repeat of the last four years.” Obama, using a line of attack he had foregone last time, went at Romney’s “47 percent” remarks.
Republican strategist Ford O’Connell: “President Obama came out of the gates swinging, and after the 30-minute mark Romney is trailing the president.”
Republican strategist Ford O’Connell: “After 60-minute mark, Obama is leading but Romney is catching up. Who would have thought that Romney could better tell you why he is NOT President George W. Bush than President Obama could tell you why he deserves a second term.”
Republican strategist Ford O’Connell: “Mitt Romney had the upper-hand on the terrorist attack in Libya question, but he was unable to pin President Obama with failed leadership or policies. In fact, Romney pretty much fumbled the issue. He will likely get a second chance at the Libya issue in the third debate which will exclusively cover foreign policy.
“Romney closed strong — his best line of the debate: ‘We don’t have to settle for this.””
Second Presidential Debate Preview On Fox Business
Ford O'Connell and Fox News' KT McFarland join Fox Business Network's Gerri Willis on "The Willis Report" to preview the second presidential debate, a town-hall style event, between Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, and to discuss the role that the recent terrorist attack in Libya might play in that debate.
5 Things Mitt Romney Needs To Do In Tuesday Night's Presidential Debate
They say you rarely get a second chance to make a first impression. But after his abysmal performance at the first presidential tilt in Denver, President Barack Obama hopes he can do exactly that in the town-hall-style debate Tuesday night in Hempstead, N.Y.
But he's not the only candidate who needs a strong performance. Mitt Romney may have received "his best set of polls all year" last Friday, according to polling analyst Nate Silver of The New York Times. Still, if Romney is to win the White House—if he is to overcome the 15- to 20-point disadvantage he still faces in the Electoral College vote—he can't rest on his first debate success.
And he can't do it by attacking President Obama. The president and his record are not the focal points of this debate—the dozen or so undecided voters who will ask questions of the candidates are. Moderator Candy Crowley can inject herself as well, although neither candidate wants her to play a major role. But for the most part, both are at the mercy of the studio audience.
It is important for Romney to remember that style matters more than substance, that this isn't the place to explain in any extensive detail his economic plans and he should avoid trading barbs. This is not Denver. This is Oprah or The View. Listen. Understand. Exchange ideas.
To be successful Romney needs to focus on five items:
News Analysis: Tuesday’s Presidential Debate All About Style, Giving Obama Advantage
Both U.S. presidential candidates’ ability to connect with viewers will be the most important aspect of Tuesday night’s presidential debate, which could give President Barack Obama an advantage over his Republican challenger Mitt Romney, experts said.
Indeed, the debate’s town-hall forum is all about being folksy and portraying oneself as attuned to the needs of the average Americans, rather than paying attention to the finer points of policy.
As such, Obama has a natural advantage, as he apparently has always been able to connect better with his audience than Romney, who has at times come off as stiff and awkward in public, experts said.
“It’s a real dog and pony show,” said Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. “Town hall debates tend to favor style over substance.”
But it remains to be seen whether Romney has gotten over his public awkwardness, as Tuesday’s discussion will be much less about policy and mostly about each candidate presenting himself as someone who can relate to average voters. That means that Romney must avoid getting bogged down in tedious policy minutia, as he is known to do, noted O’Connell.
