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Obama-Romney Presidential Debate: Who Won?

Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney squared off for the second time Oct. 16. Who do you think came out on top in this debate?

President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney met for a rematch in Tuesday night's debate, a town hall-style showdown on domestic and foreign policies at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY.

Romney was hailed by many observers as the "winner" of their first debate earlier this month. Who do you think fared better this time? Did either candidate win your vote Tuesday night or state his vision for America more clearly? Did you learn anything new about them? Did the town hall format suit either candidate better?

We're asking all Patch readers across Tampa Bay to weigh in. We hope to create a civil discussion where supporters on both sides of the aisle, and everywhere in between, can start a conversation.

Which candidate do you think won the debate? Let us know what you think in the comments section.

Did you miss Tuesday night’s debate? Don’t worry, you’ll have one more chance to see the presidential contenders square off. Next up is the Oct. 22 debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, with a focus on foreign policy. That debate will air on most major television networks from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

Freedom October 18, 2012 at 05:46 am
TCH: What do they say after trying it?
Holleran: They are always happy. And for the ones that are not Catholic, I always wonder if that is going to pull them into the church. It’s when they find truth somewhere that they didn’t expect it that you wonder what else that could be changing besides their sex life. TCH: What do you think is so difficult about this teaching of the Church for most Catholics to accept? Holleran: That it works. I don’t think that most couples think that the Church teaching actually does work as the Church says it does. I don’t think they understand how it affects a couple’s relationship. They don’t realize that NFP is effective because they have never been taught. I don’t think that most people have faith that the Church knows what she is talking about. I’m not sure where Catholics get any correct teaching on contraception. I went to Catholic schools all my life, from first grade through college, and I never had anyone explains these truths to me. I never even read Humanae Vitae until I was in my mid 30s or early 40s and had my eyes opened to the beauty of this teaching.
Shary Boe October 18, 2012 at 01:06 pm
Romney was rude, making the debate more of a circus. I thought he was going to start spitting when he talked. The debates need to be held to 2 questions each, more debates and more real time to really debate the questions. It was not a real informative program, just showed lack of courtesy on Romneys part
Sara Casm October 18, 2012 at 01:20 pm
Obviously you missed the REALLY rude guy the week before with the veneer smile and signs of early dementia - aka BIDEN!
Philip Penrose October 18, 2012 at 01:22 pm
I looked up the definition of 'presidential debates'. I came up with 'useless'.
Lynda October 18, 2012 at 01:41 pm
Anti-Liberal. Your long,long cut and paste post just proved my point. And since I am not Catholic, you know what? I don't have to listen to an old, white, celibate Bishop yammer on about "family planning" and birth control and how Catholic families just don't understand how well the Catholic approach actually works! You apparently are willing to have him and the other oh-so-knowledgeable celibate Bishops control your reproductive and sexual life. And, Anti-Liberal, that is the point. I am not Catholic. I do not need any more of their rules put into law. We have a majority Catholic Supreme Court. We have two vice presidential candidates who are Catholic running for office. I don't fault anyone for their beliefs but I draw the line at them imposing their religion on me through laws.
Michael D. October 18, 2012 at 02:11 pm
Sara and Shary,
You find the person rude by how you lean politically. Liberals find Romney Rude and Conservatives found Biden rude. They did the same things. Get over it. It's hypocritical to celebrate ones actions and demean the others.
cherylwithac October 18, 2012 at 02:19 pm
Joe C., you've articulately outlined the many arguments against Mitt Romney. The only reason that Romney suddenly "cares" about the middle class is that his 47% comment made most of us angry. He has no scruples; he will say or do anything to become president.
cherylwithac October 18, 2012 at 02:40 pm
All of this talk is just a waste of time. We'll find out who won on Election Day.
Robert Saltzman October 18, 2012 at 02:44 pm
Anti-Westboro Baptist the Westies were there when my son's Corporal Ken Kalish came home from Afghanistan. You can see his pics on my website. The Patriot Guard was on hand and blocked them out. The Patriot Guard also escorted the busses when the rest of his platoon came home to Camp Pendelton...Not to get of topic but the sooner we are out the sooner we can stop worrying about our children..Can't wait until 2014 to bring em home.
Vote to Elect Robert "Bobby" Saltzman Candidate for City of Safety Harbor Commission Seat #1 www.thinkbobby.com "THINK BOBBY"
Harborite October 18, 2012 at 03:16 pm
At the debate, Romney said that he truly cared about 100% of all Americans. However, at a fundraiser in front of millionare donors in Boca Raton, Romney clearly stated that he didn't care at all about 47% of Americans. He simply dismissed 47% of the population as people who considered themselves as "victims" and were merely takers dependent on government handouts. Since it is impossible that both of these contradictory statements can be true, we must decide whether Romney told the truth when he didn't know that he was being secretly recorded or when he had television cameras pointing at him during the debate. It is clear that Romney was telling the truth in Boca Raton when he thought that he was only talking in secret to his millionaire donors. If Romney wins, the middle class loses. If you believe in the middle class, vote Obama/Biden 2012.
Beth Norquist October 18, 2012 at 03:30 pm
How could any Florida woman -- in her right mind -- vote for Mitt Romney?
Romney opposed the equal pay for equal work act (Lily Ledbetter Act) for women. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/oct/16/barack-obama/obama-mitt-romney-refused-say-whether-he-supports-/ Romney favors the Blunt Amendment that would deny contraception coverage for women. http://bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2012/10/17/president-obama-tries-capitalize-women-issues-after-second-debate-with-mitt-romney/BYFJOuHtDdcaNeGIWVajcN/story.html Romney favors a “personhood” constitutional amendment that would define “life” as beginning at contraception, and could make abortion illegal. When asked to clarify his support, he answered, “Absolutely.” http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/democrats-target-romney-on-reproductive-rights/ He falsely said at the second debate that he sought "binders of women" profiles to find women to hire as governor, but, actually, he was forced to use binders and signed a promise to use them. http://hosted2.ap.org/MANOR/4e06196a1f11442a96197ec8174afd24/Article_2012-10-17-Romney-Binders/id-8a8f6924b6e643c9875aa4a319f4e643 Romney would be terribly wrong for Florida women! Obama's position on each of these issues is completely opposite of Romney and Obama is PRO-WOMEN. No surprise that most Massachusetts women, those women that know Romney BEST, are expected to vote overwhelmingly for Obama on Nov. 6th.
Beth Norquist October 18, 2012 at 03:32 pm
Robert, visit www.politifact.com, and you will see that both Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan told more lies at their debates so far, than Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden.
The Democratic candidates, based on the debates, are definitely more honest! Republican voters appear to like LYING candidates, huh!
Sara Casm October 18, 2012 at 03:42 pm
Ladies - plain and simple. Keep your legs closed or get an IUD as soon as possible. I have no desire to pay for your birth control nor do any of my friends.
Harborite October 18, 2012 at 03:53 pm
Sara Casm, I realize that you have no desire to pay for a women's birth control, but I hope that you have no problem paying for all of the unwanted pregnancies that will result. You should also have no problem paying for the costs of Welfare, housing, food stamps, schooling, social services, medical costs, social services, etc. By the way, it must also be okay with you that Viagara for men will be completely paid for but birth control for women will be denied.
Sara Casm October 18, 2012 at 04:00 pm
Knock off the BS mumbo-jumbo and start expecting people to exercise some personal responsibility. I'm personally tired of paying for other's irresponsibility, but I have no problem helping those TRULY in need. I'll help the helpless, not the clueless. Now go be a good little lemming and vote your boys in and enjoy the Kool-Aid.
Anti-Westboro Baptist October 18, 2012 at 04:31 pm
Wow Sara Casm you live up to your name! Too bad your wrong! I pay for my own birth control not you! To say you pay for a poor persons birth control is nothing more than a joke from a fool! Did we not pay for Ted Bundy to have tv, Ac and books till he got fried? Did we not pay for the road to be paved in front of Casey Anthony's house? Dumb questions! Yes planned parenthood should get tax dollars to continue their good work! That's govt! Your just being a fool! And a rude one at that!
Trent Latta October 18, 2012 at 06:58 pm
MITT ROMNEY is quick to condemn taxes. So much so that he is willing to disintegrate our nation’s social safety net in the name of principle. But he forgets that his LDS Church essentially employs the same tax system as our country.
http://kirkland.patch.com/blog_posts/heaven-taxes-mitt-romneys-mormon-riddle
Freedom October 18, 2012 at 07:08 pm
Lynda you need to wake up & realize you are wrong Catholics are against on using dangerous birth control which has also been proven by the medical associations through out the world that these pills cause great damage to our bodies, my belief is on the medical side, use common sense Lynda why do you want to support a bill by democrats to approve this dangerous form of birth control, do you think they are going to care when you are fighting for your life due to adverse reaction from these horrible pills, trust me I speak from experience of losing my best friend due to advance stage of blood clotting, she was having stomach pains & doctor told her she was having pms which was not the case her condition got worst & she ultimately died, many doctors tell you this is a rare case but in reality & sadly it is not, so please understand it might seem I am siding with the church, my point is purely based on medical research & evidence, like you I am not Catholic, I don't believe in organized religion it is not for me but I do have a strong faith in God, I am pro life by choice cause I love babies, they are the greatest joy, I love visiting the maternity ward to welcome newborn babies & give a small gift or sometimes I give gift cards to spread random act of kindness, I don't belong to any organization, I do this all on my own so I hope you understand & give me some credit for this is who I am...
As for who won this debate we all have our beliefs & nobody has right to change us :)
adam October 18, 2012 at 07:10 pm
trent latta - washington
this is spam
Trent Latta October 18, 2012 at 07:14 pm
Hello again Adam. I am a blogger on the Patch and was simply sharing another post that people who commented on this post might also like to read and comment on. I do not consider that spam. Have a great day.
Trent
adam October 18, 2012 at 07:21 pm
and again,
"Spam is flooding the Internet with many copies of the same message" http://spam.abuse.net/overview/whatisspam.shtml
Freedom October 19, 2012 at 04:45 am
Excellent point Sara, don't listen to these foolish liberals ;)
Ladies keep your legs crossed & medically speaking stay clear of pills which has so many dangerous side effects & if you want to do the wild monkey dance use latex which is also effective for preventing serious disease & it is free at the local free clinic nearest to you ;)
Freedom October 19, 2012 at 05:46 am
Here's proof how bad pills are:
Bayer's Deadly Birth-Control Pills: Alleged Toll Climbs to 190, Shareholders Revolt About 190 women have died while taking Yaz and Yasmin, Bayer's (BAYRY) two leading contraceptive pill brands, according to the Swiss media, and the company faces a shareholder motion condemning its marketing of the brands at its April 29 annual meeting. The vote is unlikely to pass, but it will draw attention to Bayer's increasing problems on its contraceptive franchise. Through February 2011, Bayer faces 6,850 lawsuits in the U.S. accusing the pills of creating potentially lethal blood clots and gall bladder damage, according to page 242 of its annual report. The number of suits is growing fast. Last October, there were "only" 4,200 suits. In September, the total was just 2,000. The number of fatalities alleged in those suits is unknown, but a little-noticed German-language report on Swiss Television last year claimed that a search of the FDA's adverse event database found "in round figures" 140 deaths associated with Yasmin, and 50 with Yaz, the newer brand. Those numbers will be used against Bayer at its shareholder meeting. Bad publicity: Customers dropping dead
Freedom October 19, 2012 at 06:23 am
Here's more proof:
The following adverse effects have been experienced by women on the Pill: Headaches, migraines, mental depression (even to the point of suicide and/or suicidal tendencies), a decrease or loss of sexual drive, abdominal cramps, bloating, weight gain or loss, and water retention; nausea and vomiting(in about 10% of users); symptoms of PMS, vaginitis and vaginal infections, changes in vision (temporary or permanent blindness, and an intolerance to contact lenses); gall bladder disease and either temporary or permanent infertility, when discontinuing the Pill, in users with previous menstrual irregularities or who began the drug before full maturity. Several of the symptoms, such as migraine headaches, contraindicate the use of the Pill because of life endangering complications. Breast cancer has been repeatedly associated with using the Pill. Breast cancer has been increasing at an alarming rate in recent years, especially among young women. "Breast cancer will kill more than 44,000 American women this year alone," a 1991 report noted, predicting 175,000 more new cases, "especially among young women. Ladies these are medical facts which cannot be disputed by any means, our government & one sided media is not telling us, I wonder why?? please use caution & common sense, do your research, take care of your body & most important of all live a long healthy life to collect your deserved SS & Medicare benefits that you worked hard for...
Diane Carlstrom October 19, 2012 at 06:25 am
I am not seeing one thought or mention of how the GOP led House voted to cut embassy security by $330M. By all means, criticise Obama for not having exactly all of the facts immediately following the attack but not a peep when Bush and Co were following bad intelligence that took us down a garden path into war.
Diane Carlstrom October 19, 2012 at 06:34 am
30 months takes us back to some time in '09. When he got in we were losing millions of jobs. People expected what? A snap of the fingers and instant repair of the last tears of disaster? During previous recessions the gov't did a great deal of hiring (under gop presidents) and these were partly what triggered the recoveries. This time gov't cut jobs. When we look at the EU we see example after example of austerity. Right now there are riots happening all over Europe. people are hungry and are tired of all of the cuts. This has undermined their economy and prolonged their recession. Meanwhile, stimulus was done here. While recover has not been speedy it has been happening- we are no longer losing jobs at the rate we were 36 mos ago. The funny thing is the EU is absolutely reviled by the GOP. They carry on about how awful it is yet they want to do exactly the same thing the EU is doing- cut, cut, cut. Look who suffers under cuts and who gains.
Diane Carlstrom October 19, 2012 at 06:40 am
Bottom line is we still don't know how Romney is going to finance all of his fancy cuts- first he wanted everyone to have $17k in deductions then upped it to $25k. In the corporate world you have a few guys at the top making big bucks and the rest of the workers doing the jobs of 2 or 3 people with stagnant wages and trimmed benefits.Clearly thats what plenty of people want here, but just remember it's only the few at top that do well. I hope your straw gets picked!
Freedom October 19, 2012 at 06:41 am
Here's the number one cause of damage due to the pill, the one that killed my best friend;
HEART AND BLOOD ABNORMALITIES Blood Clots can form, restricting or blocking the flow of blood to critical organs and other body systems, possibly causing permanent damage. For example, a blood clot in the heart would cause a heart attack; in the brain it would cause a stroke or brain hemorrhage; a clot which moved from elsewhere in the body and lodged in the lung would cause a pulmonary embolism; in the kidneys a clot would cause a renal artery thrombosis and kidney damage; in the retinal arteries it would cause temporary or permanent blindness. High Blood Pressure and alterations in the blood clotting mechanisms may be seen in women on the Pill. This may contribute to a 3-11 times increased risk of developing blood clots in Pill users compared to non-users. The risk is especially great for women who smoke and/or are over 35 years old. Ladies I hope this will be a wake up call, I wish I could have convinced my best friend but sadly not...
tom m October 19, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Bill Clinton telling crowd in Parma that Romney Is right
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeBCWLGoJb0
Ken Lynam October 21, 2012 at 05:54 pm
Well-said, Joe.

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