D7

Policy:

Obama:

- Encouraging natural gas industries, drilling, coal industries

- Continue tax cuts for middle class families and small businesses

- Companies provide contraceptive coverage through health insurance, maintain funding for planned parenthood

- Close loopholes for companies gaining tax cuts when they invest overseas - create more jobs at home

Romney:

- Get America energy independent, through more drilling offshore in Alaska, in Virginia, the pipeline from Canada

- Get as much energy as we need in North America, restrict trade- "get out of China," -- "On day one I will label China as a currency manipulator"

* For mock election: Both Romney and Obama are committed to driving home their own points - successfully twisting the answer to a question in order to talk about what they want to talk about. Have a set list of points that  candidate feels strongly about, is very informed of, and hit on those points

Quotes:

Obama:

- "He has a one point plan...to make sure that folks at the top play by their own rules." 

- "Women getting the same fair deal that men are...I have two daughters, and I want to make sure they have the same opportunities as any man does."

Romney:

-"The middle class has been crushed for the last four years."

- "I want to make sure we use our oil, coal, gas, renewable energy...getting us energy independent within eight years." 

*For mock election: Candidate should try not to stutter, or stumble over words. Have a few zingers, and original phrases for the audience to remember.

Style:

Obama:

- Red tie

- More attacks specifically on Romney than the last Presidential debate

- Seemed more passionate, came back strong

Romney: 

- Blue tie

- Defensive, attacks on Obama as well

* For mock election: Counting out points (first, second, third), not too many hand motions, look sharp

Wild Card:

- Standing up, attacks on one another, arguing

- Woman asked pointed question to Romney - distinguished Romney policies (tax breaks for wealthy, education restrictions) that would affect the middle class, how are these policies supposed to help the middle class?

- Loaded question: "What do you think about people without green cards who are productive members of our society?"

      - Romney won't grant amnesty to illegal immigrants, won't give driver's licenses or "magnets" for illegal immigrants, but we're still a "nation of immigrants" 

      - Obama "talent from all around the world want to come here...people want to take risks to come here" - streamline legal immigration system (make it easier, cheaper, for immigrants), more border patrol, for the young people "think of them as citizens" (DREAM Act)

*For mock election: If candidate knows he/she is answering second, he/she should really listen to the first candidate's answer. Make notes to touch on and possibly attack.