Candidates go head to head in town hall debate

The performances of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama garnered criticism from both sides in the first presidential debate two
weeks ago.

In Tuesday’s round two, both delivered.

At Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., the debate took the form of a town hall meeting.

Crowd members, undecided voters selected by the Gallup Organization, asked the candidates questions about foreign and domestic issues.

A handful of audience members had a chance to ask questions directly, which included such domestic topics as gun control, affordable education, unemployment among college students, tax credits, workplace inequality and gas prices.

Participants touched on foreign issues including immigration, Libya, national security and job outsourcing.

Audience members did not ask questions about several hot topics in this year’s election rhetoric, including the war in Afghanistan, health care, veterans, Medicare and Social Security.

Education

Obama: Although he began by referencing the importance of creating decent paying jobs for college graduates, Obama transitioned, saying he wanted everyone to have access to a quality education. He directly addressed the student who asked the question, saying, “I want to make student loans available for folks like you,” while also emphasizing the importance of investing in community colleges that are training people who are already in the workforce and want to go back to school.

Romney: Addressing the college student who asked the question, Romney said he wanted to keep Federal Pell Grants growing and make college affordable with a loan program. He told the student, “I want you to be able to get a job,” saying he would change the current problem students face of acquiring more debt with less job availability because the middle class “has been crushed” in the last four years.

Workplace Inequality

Obama: After an anecdote about his mother hitting the glass ceiling, Obama touted the first bill he signed in office, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. He called women’s struggle for equality “a family issue and a middle class issue.” The president said equal opportunity begins with easier access to decent education and pointed to the increase in Federal Pell Grants during his administration.

Romney: The former governor told the audience his administration in Massachusetts had more women in senior leadership positions than in any other state. Romney said he learned through this that having females in higher positions requires employers to be more flexible to accommodate a woman’s lifestyle. He argued the best way to help women in the workplace is to create a stronger economy, and he said he plans to do just that.

Immigration

Obama: Obama said America isn’t just a nation of immigrants, but also a “nation of laws,” saying the current immigration laws were part of a broken system that needed to be fixed. He said he wanted to make the path to citizenship easier and cheaper. Obama emphasized his constant commitment to the DREAM Act, a bill that would allow the children of illegal immigrants to gain U.S. citizenship through higher education or military service.

Romney: Claiming America is “a nation of immigrants,” Romney said it’s important for the legal system already in place to work more efficiently, but he said he wouldn’t grant amnesty to immigrants who chose to come into the U.S. illegally. Romney did, however, announce his support for an employment verification system and a pathway for children who were brought to the U.S. illegally to become permanent residents, citing military service as one way to gain citizenship.

Job outsourcing

Obama: Obama said he will close loopholes allowing companies to benefit from moving jobs offshore. He said the way to create jobs in America is to double exports and change the tax code so businesses investing overseas do not receive breaks. Obama said he will continue to be tough on China and in trade deals with all countries so American workers benefit the most.

Romney: Romney said he would make it more attractive for American businesses of all sizes to keep jobs in America. To do this, he plans to lower tax rates for companies. The governor called out China for artificially keeping down the value of its currency and promised that on his first day in office, he will label China as a currency manipulator and will enact tariffs to make sure they play by the rules.