BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
On Tuesday, November 6th, the American people will elect the next President of the United States. Wednesday night, the two contenders, President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, participated in the first of three scheduled debates before the General Election.
Some readers who watched the debate shared their opinions.
Ms. Ann Porter said, “I listen to the debate between the President and Mitt Romney. I must admit that after running for President for more than six years and debate prep for eight weeks, Mitt Romney came prepared. He gave a solid conservative message of the private sector with little regard for the public sector.
“While, on a personal note, celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary, the President reminded all of us about the partnerships long established between the public and private sector such as the railroad, health, education, interstate commerce and many landmark accomplishment. “He is tirelessly working for the middle class and the safety of the USA. The questions ranged around domestic policies. Romney remained true to States Rights and a voucher system, while the President stressed progress for a strong middle class, Medicare, Medicaid, training and job advancement to enrich the lives of all the American people. There was very little said about the party of NO. They will have two more debates and one for the vice-presidential candidates.”
Atty. Clinton Paris said, “Surprisingly, President Obama was passive, flat, unemotional, and stayed on the defensive. He did not debate with the confidence and zest of an incumbent candidate in a very close race.
“In contrast, Gov. Romney appeared prepared, aggressive, and eager to engage the President. Gov. Romney benefitted from his performance.”
Danny Green said, “the President Obama vs. Mitt Romney debate was a face off to the country. President Obama came prepared and with his purpose for this debate. He stated, ‘I promise I’d fight every day on behalf of the American people, I’ve kept that promise.’
“He promised to give tax cuts to the middle class people and he did. President Obama focuses on educating the American people, by stressing why Mitt Romney is not a good candidate for the Presidency. One of them being Medicare changes that will affect so many people’s lives with age of 54 and 55. Both of them had their difference on the economy, Romney stated he likes Big Bird, but he will get rid of PBS. Mitt Romney spent the night on the defense, on the same bad ideas that crashed the economy.
“Romney stated he will appeal the Obama Health Plan. I was also disappointed to see the moderator, Jim Lehrer allowing Romney to interrupt the President.
Ronnie Moorer said, “President Barack Obama was very open in what he has done and will continue to do for this country. He kept his cool even when Romney presented things that weren’t true. Romney could not, and would not, give specifics on how he was going to turn this country around for the better, even when the moderator asked him to. Mitt Romney has a “Top Secret” agenda for us. “If your name is “Mitt,” you cannot be “Fit”, … to run this country, that is!”
Ms. Pat Spencer said, “As I watched and listened to the debate, I had several thoughts. First, Mitt Romney was primed to continue telling untruths about how, if elected, he will lead us into more difficult times.
“Second, he was disrespectful of the Moderator and proceeded to take over the debate, even sharing that the funding for PBS will be cut if he is elected. Third, he backed down on things he has been saying throughout the Election, by agreeing with what President Obama was saying, or quickly stated “I did not say that.”
“President Obama was a gentleman, and did not get in Romney’s face. This is what he has to do at the next debate. Romney said that his Health Plan will protect citizens who have existing illnesses, however, shortly after the debate, one of his top advisers stated that his plan will not cover persons in this position.
“There were many untruths he shared last night, so that he could continue trying to reach the undecided voter. We must read and share with others the true facts because from Mitt Romney, they did not come out last night. Most of all, we must make sure all of our family and friends are registered by October 9th and do Early Voting.”
Jet Set Hudson said, “I feel that Mitt Romney didn’t have the facts and he wouldn’t give any details to any of the questions President Obama asked. Romney is secretive and he doesn’t want to answer questions. He was like a pit bull, he just kept attacking, with no substance and no proof of his accusations. America doesn’t need a pit bull as the Commander in Chief. If President Obama had acted like that, the news reporters would have torn him apart.
“Romney is a billionaire, he doesn’t care about the poor, and he is definitely not trying to help the poor. But, you can’t fool the people all of the time. We need to get to the polls and take someone else with us to vote.”
Dr. Samuel Wright, Sr., said, “The debate was quite interesting in that President Barack Obama was quite presidential and non-combative. I believe he employed this strategy to remain calm and to exude no anger.
“On the other hand, Mitt Romney was somewhat rambunctious and overly aggressive. He rambled on and on without being direct in answering some of his questions. Stay tune for Debate 2!”
Keto Hodges Nord said, “You can tell a lot about a person’s character by their debating style. Someone who will look you in the eye and lie to you when millions of people are watching and swear they never said anything that has ever been reported and documented in the news is intellectually dishonest and does it because he thinks he will get over on you, and after all, what are YOU going to do about it?
“In sum, that person lies, obfuscates, and projects because he don’t respect you and thinks you are dumb enough that you can’t remember the things he said out of his own mouth. (Unfortunately, most Americans do not bother to educate themselves on politics). That is despicable and such a person does not deserve your attention much less your vote because he don’t respect you anyway. This is my opinion of Romney’s debate ‘win.’”
Atty. Roderick Ford said, “Pundits and Polls say that Gov. Romney “won” the First Debate. However, President Obama’s debate style really maintained the “dignity of the Office of President.”
Ms. Evangeline Best said, “I listened to the debate and I connected and trust President Obama. I come from humble beginnings in Belmont Heights. Those of us who have lived in this community back in the 1960s recall who we are because of our praying and devotion to family, church, and our neighborhoods.
“President Obama has shown in the past four years that he is for “us,” (the middle class, seniors, disabled, veterans, and disabled and many others), and the 47% of “us” according to the U. S. Constitution. are to be represented.
“We have to make sure that our families, friends and others we meet are registered to vote.”
