Televised Presidential Debate - Assignment Example

? Due What organization(s) sponsored the meeting and who were the featured speakers? On October 3, 2012, the Magness Arena at the University of Denver, in Colorado, hosted the first presidential debate of the 2012 presidential election. The event was sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates and hosted by Jim Lehrer, PBS network’s NewsHour host.(New York Times" ) The two speakers were, of course, the presidential candidates in this year’s election, current President and Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, and former Massachusetts Governor and Republican nominee, Mitt Romney. (2) About how many people attended the meeting? Describe the audience demographics. This event drew an immense number of audience members. Unlike a private event, this debate was aired live, on multiple networks, allowing for, easily, millions of viewers. The demographics of the audience of this event are as diverse as the country we live in. Americans of all genders, races, political parties, and ideologies were tuned in to view this debate. (3) What was the main topic of the meeting? The topic of the debate was announced as domestic policy. Lehrer explained that there would be, ideally, six segments of 15 minutes in length, with 2 minute responses from each candidate. Three segments would focus on the economy; one segment would be dedicated to healthcare, role of government, and the last on the meaning of “governing.” I choice this event, particularly, because of it is so very important. There are issues being discussed that are so incredibly relevant to the future of this country that it is an event deserving of critical attention. This is, also, again, the first debate where these two candidates would be debating these issues face-to-face in an open forum. There are a lot of important questions that need asking, issues that need addressing, and answers that the voters deserve to hear. (4) Why did you choose this meeting, and what did you know about the topic before you attended? There is nothing more politically important in the United States of America than when we choose the leadership that we have. Where to cast your vote should never be a small issue and tends to involve many specific variables. Individuals must assess their political concerns; review the prospective candidates, their personal beliefs and views, and ever so much more, before they make their choice. It is all the harder today with the cut throat nature of the campaign tactics, being overused in this election, for Americans to make that choice clearly. The smear campaigns, ultimately, begin to feel like childhood name-calling. With the state that American is currently in, struggling through a continuing the unemployment crisis and continuing and increasing debt, this is hardly the time for games. Choosing the right candidate is extremely important, regardless of your political party. These are the reasons that I chose this particular event. (5) What were the four most interesting things you learned from the meeting? This debate was, in fact, quite interesting. However, the issue that I was most eager to hear addressed was concerning the unemployment crisis. Although, both, candidates have plans for the issue, Obama reiterated the same approaches that he has proposed throughout his Presidency. While Romney offered some fresh perspectives that, definitely different from Obama’s, had a lot of merit. The next topic of importance to me is the controversial healthcare reform, often called, “Obamacare.” Romney was able to communicate how, not only is “Obamacare” not the best solution for healthcare reform, as it takes the power from the patient and physician and places it into the hands of medical councils, but, also, how “Obamacare” directly contributes to the, aforementioned, unemployment crisis.("YouTube") There are many businesses, particularly small businesses, that are less likely to hire new staff members because of the insurance requirements that “Obamacare” would insist upon. It was taxes that, actually, received the majority of the 90 minute event. Diminishing the debt is essential to getting the United States back on its feet. Both, Obama and Romney, spoke on the topic and, both, made some valid points. Admittedly it is difficult to estimate the likelihood of President Obama’s plan, considering that the debt under his administration has nearly tripled. Lastly, I think the discussions on the taxing of the wealthy and of small business were interesting to hear debated. Small businesses are taxed, often, as individuals not corporations, which prevents them from the tax breaks and exemptions that other companies receive. Changing that could improve American small businesses and help decrease the high unemployment numbers in this country.("New York Times") I have to say that one thing was a bit surprising about the nature of this particular event. Both candidates were a little temperamental throughout the debate and were very argumentative about the time limits placed on their responses. I understand being eager to speak your points and addressing the people about where you stand, but little gets accomplished when two men talk over each other and the mediator is interrupting all at the same time. It was a bit unprofessional. However, given something as important as a presidential debate and because the issues being discussed are clearly topics requiring more than a 120 seconds of conversation. Perhaps it would be realistic to increase the time granted to the candidates. I guess I was surprised by the format and some of the behaviors of both candidates. (6) What conclusions you have you come to regarding the topic, if any? Upon choosing this event, my views on the issues being discussed were in, many ways, already formed, at least, concerning these specific issues. My personal opinion is, that Romney offered, both, new ideas and encouraging solutions. I do not, necessarily, agree with Governor Romney on all of his views on social and political issues, but on the domestic, economic, and unemployment crisis were persuasive. His concerns regarding the need to guarantee there will still be Social Security for future American retirees and his initiative to grant greater power to individual states to control themselves, like in the areas of education, were, also, very interesting as well (7) If you had an opinion about the subject before the meeting, have you changed your mind? Why or why not? Overall, I would not say that my opinions or views of the candidates or the issues have changed. In fact, I would be more inclined to say that it validated my existing positions and perceptions. Generally speaking, I think that the plans, actions, and ideals are more important in the presidential selection process than affiliations to any, particular, political party; Democrat or Republican, matters very little, I want the best candidate to lead us, no more, no less. That said, after really listening to, both, the candidates discussing the topics and the strategies to improve them, I have to say, it is Governor Romney who really touched on the specifics of the issues that concerned me most, and his proposed solutions seemed logical and realistic. No disrespect, again, intended towards President Obama. I believe the President’s intentions may be good, but his track record leaves much to be desired. Our debt is higher, unemployment has increased, not decreased, there are multitudes more Americans receiving government aid than ever before. President Obama had four years in office, perhaps now it is time to consider another leader to have the opportunity to, hopefully, guide this country back to stability and prosperity. Works Cited "Presidential Debate 2012 (Complete) Romney vs.Obama - 10/3/2012 - ." YouTube. YouTube, 03 2012. Web. 24 Oct 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkrwUU_YApE "Transcript of the First Presidential Debate." New York Times 03 Oct 2012, n. pag. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. . Read More