There have been three Presidential debates between President Obama and Governor Romney, and one VP debate between Biden and Ryan. While the first presidential debate went largely in favor of Governor Romney, Obama was quick to recover and came back with full force during the second and third debates. The third presidential debate was essentially a draw where both candidates scored points on different issues. It was a change from the first debate when Obama was remarkably absent and Romney came out a clear winner in both substance and demeanor. The second debate saw Obama come back and thus revive dashed hopes of Democrats. The third debate saw Obama with some good repartees while Romney managed to veer the discussion to domestic policy and economy from the foreign policy issue. This could have been a strategy on the part of Romney to keep the focus on America’s dithering economy and thus remind voters of what really mattered for the country.
Obama as President lost no opportunity in reminding the audience that he was the President, had more foreign policy experience and brought back Israel into America’s foreign policy equation. This would have to be a big relief for America’s Jewish voters who had been a little disappointed earlier. It is good to remember that Obama had earlier offended Israel by his inability to come out openly in the country’s defense. But Obama is the President and he has to, at all times keep the big picture of global politics in mind. There is the entire Middle East which Obama has to deal with carefully; he must also keep Europe, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and other countries in focus in his foreign policy.
In demeanor, Romney kept a smile on his face and Obama did not stop looking at the Governor, a big contrast from the first debate when Obama either looked down or away at his notes most of the time. Looks, smiles, scowls, sighs, impatience, patience, aggressiveness, firmness, quickness of wit, readiness with answers are all factors that have influenced debates in the past. While debates do not per say make or mar a candidate, they do however help formulate opinion, decisions and indecisions. Voters get a chance to see their candidates upfront, away from one sided views put out by each candidate in their favor and detrimental to the other side. This is the time that voters are able to decide or at least move in a certain direction of deciding after they’ve been able to see and hear directly from the candidates themselves. Debates are a good way for potential candidates and voters to connect and that is why they generate so much excitement. American Presidential elections are being closely followed around the world as well.
