Presidential Debate #1

Millions of people were glued to their televisions at home to watch the first 2012 presidential debate and I, of course was right there glued to my television.  Everyone around the world had their own view on who will win the debate and most of those people believed that it would probably be Obama because he is a good speaker. Many assume that Romney would be his normal image of being too aggressive, inconsistent, and less likable. Before the debate starts you see how the stage has been set up in Denver. There are only two podiums that almost in a way mimic a battle of two enemies about to go to war. Below the stage is the audience and even the moderator Jim Lehrer who you would think would be on the stage too, but is placed below to keep the main focus on the two opponents.

            Finally the debating candidates arrive to the podium walk to the middle of the stage to shake hands and exchange smiles that is seen before every debate to show that they are friendly towards each other even if they do not have the same beliefs. Both candidates dress very nice with Romney in a red tie to represent the Republican Party, and Obama in blue to represent the Democratic Party. Lehrer asks a broad question about the differences in the candidates’ jobs plans. Obama answers by thanking his wife for 20 years of marriage. “I just want to wish, Sweetie, you a happy anniversary and let you know that a year from now, we will not be celebrating it in front of 40 million people,” he says. The crowd begins to laugh because they seem the image of a charming Obama with a sense of humor. Romney response also received laughter when he congratulated the president about his anniversary and says, “I'm sure this was the most romantic place you could imagine, here with me.” As times goes by questions are being asked and punches are being thrown (not literally) and the viewers at home are getting a sense of who is winning in the debate from Romney and Obama’s body language. Romney is more animated, more dominating, more excited. Obama is in a daze, with less eye contact, as if he has lost of his natural charm. There are strategic reasons for this. Obama is winning in the polls so he doesn’t need to dominate. But what he does need to keep voters reassured about what changes can be made in the future. However this did not happen. After more back and forth time finally runs out and the debate ends with a friendly handshake to show the voters that they are nice guys even after the debate and family men to represent America.