I think he has to spend some time connecting to the questioners too.

Really, he should just confer with Bill Clinton re this debate.

he didn't rise to the top being a punching bag - but he does need to forcefully retort against Mittwitt's outright lying and bullying

There needs to be a middle ground here. More forceful and confident than the first debate but no laughing or grinning like the VP debate.

Body language is key. No looking down when Romney is speaking. If anything blew it for him during the first debate it was that, as far as body language goes.

a huge improvement !

If he gets too aggressive, the RW media will spin that he was "bullying" Rmoney. He needs to get aggressive and call Rmoney out on his lies, but restrain himself from going into full attack mode.

they'd just spin him as an "angry black man"

He needs to be calmly in control... confident. He should not let inaccuracies stand, but he doesn't need to take Romney down.

He has to look like a bigger person than Romney... more competant, more charming more trustworty and more self-assured.

Or anyone else who has such valuable advice to give. It's no doubt you'd do better.

First, however, you should maybe practice making a subject and verb agree. Because if you get up there are say "He need to," it's kind of an automatic loss.

What crawled up your butt?

The rest of us are illiterate and all of us flunked English...

I went back and I see where I was wrong to be sarcastic....

Too much running around, baby-sitting, and not enough reading....

Address each answer to the questioner who asked the question, then segue into addressing the camera to connect with viewers at home, then finish by going back to the questioner. He needs to demonstrate that he is in touch with, and responsive to, the concerns of everyday Americans. Biden did this well by addressing seniors directly. Attacking Romney should only be a secondary consideration if there is time. In fact have a dismissive tone and barely even acknowledge that Romney is even there. Romney should be like an annoying fly that won't leave the room.

his crap! It looks like he's agreeing with Romney, even when Romney's lying, Obama seemed to be nodding his head.

and a little angry. Once in a while, his facial expression looked as tho he was telepathically trying to ask Lehrer to take control of the debate.

He doesn't have to smile if he doesn't feel like it, but he should try to not look disappointed, surprised, or frustrated again.

He should stay on an even keel, and even when he's calling Romney's lies, he should look natural and relaxed.

We don't want him smiling or laughing a lot. That would make it look as though he were imitating Biden...