Obama and Romney clash in first presidential debate

The University of Denver, Colorado yesterday hosted the first of three face-to-face debates between the current US President Barack Obama and rival Republican presidential candidate Governor Mitt Romney. The debate covered the national deficit, healthcare and how to get Americans back into employment. 

The meeting started with Obama thanking his wife for 20 years of marriage, to which Romney replied: “Congratulations Mr President. I am sure this was the most romantic place you could imagine, here, with me.”

When asked how they differed in tackling the nation’s debt, Romney replied: “This is a critical issue, but it is not just an economical issue, but a moral issue. It is immoral for people of my generation to spend massively more than we take in knowing debts will be passed on to the next generation.”

Obama retaliated by saying: “When I walked into the oval office four years ago I had more than a trillion dollar deficit greeting me. We know where it came from: two wars which were paid for on a credit card, tax cuts that were not paid for and programmes not paid for and a massive economic crisis.”

On their plans to get more American citizens back into work, Obama said: “It is up to the voters which path we take. Are we going to double down on the top down policies that helped us get into this mess or are we going to embrace a new, patriotic system that says America does best when the middle class does best?” 

Meanwhile, Romney argued: “My priority is to get people back into work; they are suffering in this country. The path we are taking is unsuccessful.”

Obama also defended “Obama care”, stating many families were afraid of becoming bankrupt if they fell ill, especially those with pre-existing conditions. Romney countered that “Obama care” has “killed jobs”.

In closing statements, Romney said if Obama was re-elected he would inflict drastic cuts to Medicare and the military. He then promised if he was elected he would not cut military budgets: “I will keep America strong and get the middle class working again.”

Obama stated his plan to improve education, energy use and support small businesses to create employment in the US. “I promised I would fight for American people every day, and I promise I will fight just as hard in the second term”,  he said.

Kerrie Wilsea