Obama and Romney Up for Round Two Obama and Romney in a fight to the finish. - US Weekly Advertising Saturday, October 20, 2012 By Jake Oie The second presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney was held last week at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The debate was held in a town hall format, where both sides answered questions given by voters. Obama and Romney had a spirited and wide ranged debate over who would be the best as our country's next president. “They both had very solid arguments, but I don't really think Romney or Obama did better than the other,” states Tyler Steinbach (9). Obama’s performance in this debate was more aggressive than the last, especially with his attacks towards Romney. He immediately targeted his rival for comments made in 2008, in which Romney proposed a one point plan and opposed the auto bail out. “We haven't heard from the governor any specifics beyond Big Bird and eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood in terms of how he pays for that,” points out Obama. Romney’s performance was more defensive, but still aggressive. He defended his tax proposal and argued that he will not reduce shares being paid by the highest income taxpayers.  His proposal will stimulate the economy and create jobs. “And I will not, under any circumstances, increase taxes on the middle class. The president’s spending [and] the president’s borrowing will cost this nation to have to raise taxes on the American people,” added Romney. This debate was mostly intended for the undecided voters of America. Audience members were selected to personally voice their opinions and questions to both Obama and Romney.  Topics included immigration, pay equity for women, and foreign policy.   Dakota students saw this as a chance to see who the candidates really are and find out some of their ideas. The debates are a deciding factor for many who have yet to decide who they want as the next leader of the United States. “They both tried to get around the questions that they were asked. [They] seemed to answer the questions in a way that would help them get votes,” declares senior Henry Hopp. The debate was a crucial affair for both candidates. Obama was given the task of making up for lost ground in the first debate, and Romney was under pressure to hold on to a recent wave of momentum.

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