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View a full video of the second presidential candidates debate. Read a text transcript of the entire debate.
October 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – In contrast to the first presidential debate, President Barack Obama came out swinging in the second debate held this week where questions were posed by undecided voters. The President repeatedly rebutted claims made by Romney in a debate where even the moderator tossed in a fact check of her own.
Obama assailed Romney's stance on women's issues and more in the debate held at Hofstra University. Romney attempted to position himself as a jobs creator, which the President countered by assailing Romney's record at Bain Capital of outsourcing jobs overseas. Romney criticized Obama on handling of the Libyan embassy attack, only to have moderator Candy Crowley provide a fact-check, drawing criticisms and clarifications from conservative quarters.
Polls by major news organizations including CNN, CBS and even Fox News all found Obama the winner. (The Fox poll found the President up 66% to 34%). CNN called the debate “bruising.” A Lake Research Partners poll of likely voters in swing states, moreover, found 53% thought Obama won, vs. 38% who thought Romney won. Nationwide however, polls for the presidential election close remain much tighter, showing the race remains competitive.
The best analysis we’ve found is in the New York Times, which provides text with fact checking alongside the candidates’ statements, and some helpful charts, too. View it here.
Also see the Washington Post Factcheck on the candidates’ claims, plus a CNN fact check of Romney’s claims on women and jobs.
For more on the controversy over Crowley's fact check of Romney during the debate, see Forbes' "The Real Winners of Tonight's Debate: Candy Crowley, CNN and Voters:
For the other side on this issue, see Conservatives Assail CNN moderator Candy Crowley: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57534438/conservatives-assail-debate-moderator-candy-crowley/
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