Obama and Romney discuss economics in front of millions of viewers

Washington – Barack Obama and Mitt Romney clashed Wednesday night in their first presidential debate, a highly anticipated confrontation to give voters a better idea of their respective vision of the future of the United States.

It was only the fourth time that the two candidates for the Presidency of the United States meet in person. Arriving on the scene of the debate at the University of Denver, Colorado, they are are shook hands and exchanged a few words with a laugh, as if they were old friends.

They both have seemed nervous in answering the first question from Moderator Jim Lehrer, the PBS, which asked them to expose their differences on economic policy. «The Governor Romney think that if we cut taxes [...]» and that we are cutting the rules, we will be better. “I have a different view,” said Barack Obama, adding that the tax policies of the Republican candidate “studying in the direction of the rich.

Mitt Romney replied that his economic program included energy independence, increased promotion of trade, measures to ensure that Americans have the skills necessary to succeed, the balanced budget and support small business.

After 15 minutes of debate, the Republican candidate became stronger against the incumbent, especially on the issue of taxes.

Even if Mr. Obama suggested the contrary, Mr. Romney said: “I will not reduce not Americans tax high income.” [...] “I am not in favour of 5000 billion tax cuts $US.

Barack Obama rejected his claim, stating that such assurances were mathematically impossible because a cash-strapped Government can both reduce taxes, increase spending, and reduce the national debt.

«The truth is that if you reduce the [tax] rate how you say, this is not possible [...]» “It’s math, arithmetic,” said president Obama.

Millions of Americans watch the presidential debates, even if these have rarely changed the course of election campaigns to the United States. Up to 60 million Americans were watching the debate Wednesday night.

The debate of Denver is regarded as particularly important for Mitt Romney. Although it is almost on par with Barack Obama in national surveys conducted in the last days, it is still lagging in several pivotal States that could decide the outcome of the vote.

This debate was considered to be his last great chance to give a new turn to his campaign and to combat negative perceptions towards it. Since the beginning of the campaign, the team’s Barack Obama presents as an insensitive multimillionaire who only cares about the average American.

For Barack Obama, the challenge was responding so easy and lapidary attacks of his rival, it generally tends to ramble in his answers. It also tends to be hérisser when he did not like the questions asked. In the first half-hour of the debate, he was often smiling looking at his notes, while his rival spoke.

The debate began on a romantic touch. Barack Obama said that 20 years ago, he had become “the luckiest man on Earth” when his wife Michelle has agreed to marry him.

The presidential couple was celebrating Wednesday her 20th wedding anniversary. Michelle Obama is present in the room to attend the debate.

Mitt Romney congratulated the couple Obama, to joke: “I’m sure it’s the most romantic that you could imagine, here with me.

President Obama promised that next year, he and his wife do celebrate not their birthday ‘in 40 million people”.

By Lee-Anne Goodman