Too bad so many are in such denial they cant admit what happened last time...
I was watching and I really began to get nervous when he kept looking down and Romney bore in on him..very bad split screen message sent.

Good advice!

This whole debate thing seems to be about emotional reactions. OFFENSE. OFFENSE. OFFENSE.
doesn't even matter if you answering the question asked. SAy what NEEDS to be said. Romney ships jobs oversees. Romney hides his income taxes.
Romney will eliminate a woman's right to choose. Romeny's party is responsible for the recession. etc.

Robinlynne! Well said.

Just let Mitt be uncomfortable as he is going to be with actual voters questioning him.

the media was focusing on mitt. Exposing Mitt is what can win this election.

Each candidate is asked the questions. So they have to answer them and can only bring in the opponent via their answer.

about.)

What strength does Romney have on National Security?

In reality you are right. but in this election, the debate is for the "undecideds", if they really exist. This election seems to be more about emotional responses to gossip and news than anything else. It doesn't even really make sense that the polls shift at all, if you think about what that means.

However, this is the "town hall" format one, correct?

I hope that doesn't present a problem. I assume that the rebuttals will need to be directed at the persons in the audience?

Joe Biden looked like he was having a blast taking out the Joke from Janesville. I don't give a rip what the pundits thought, the laughs while the other guy is lying is a great clue to watchers that the bullshit blow torch is on. If undecideds see you fighting for your job and lovin' it, chances are they'll vote for you over Richie Rich.

using contrived methods to win a point.

If he needs to "contrive" having some fun talking about his job and his plans, he shouldn't be President. The guy on the stump speeches should show up at the debate. He seems to be having plenty of fun out there.

anything about how his policies are like Romneys OR about what Romney might think of his performance as President.

I think he was repressing his dislike of Romney but it's better to just feel it and be honest and show it.

Showing it with humor would be ideal but that's a lot to pull off under pressure.

during one of the clips. I really hated it because it looked like Rmoney was taking him to task - like a boss yelling at him. And he was looking at his notes. I think he does not like Rmoney - also does not know him the way he new McCain from the Senate.

At the town hall I'm thinking eye contact with Rmoney is not as big a deal because he can talk to the questioner. They should both be looking at the questioner, so Rmoney will look like an ass if he looks at Obama.

My real hope is for an Rmoney reaction of some kind to a questioner - one that shows his arrogance and class snobbery. Rmoney is not going to like that you people get to question him.

Romney's neck. 12 million new jobs with 28% marginal rate (I assume over 4 years so 250,000). Bush at his best (leaving out the first and last year) was at 130,000/yr. for private sector jobs. Since the uptick Obama is at around 130,000/yr as well. Clinton's priate sector job growth was around 2% even with 39.6% marginal rates.

No way that cut will generate that growth level. Don't let Romney go back to Kennedy either (much higher marginal rates and much deeper cuts to them).

You don't agree with him. You fundamentally disagree with him.

no advantage in Obama contrieving to be something he is not. Obama's strength lies in the fact that he is his own man and will speak the truth as he knows it.

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. Romney should be like an annoying fly that won't leave the room.

I just dont get why this is done. I don't care if it's ritual.

He was governor for 4 years and left office 6 years ago. He's been Mr Romney much longer than that. Call him Mr.