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| Debate decoder: Romney and Obama's exchanges deconstructed | Debate decoder: Romney and Obama's exchanges deconstructed |
| (21 days later) | |
| In Tuesday night's debate, the power to ask questions was turned over to citizens – though the citizens and their queries were pre-selected by moderator Candy Crowley. And the town-hall format certainly seemed to make a difference. | In Tuesday night's debate, the power to ask questions was turned over to citizens – though the citizens and their queries were pre-selected by moderator Candy Crowley. And the town-hall format certainly seemed to make a difference. |
| The questions asked last night were far more wide-ranging than those in the first presidential debate. The more personal queries posed by a soon-to-be college student and, among others, a mom, pushed Obama and Romney to speak more directly to the issues. The format also lent itself to some awkward moments, like when candidates tried to dodge a topic – as they had a 'real' person to answer to in the end, not a journalist. Both candidates seemed at ease with the more casual town-hall format, too, freewheeling around the stage as they spoke and even getting aggressively in each others' space from time to time. | The questions asked last night were far more wide-ranging than those in the first presidential debate. The more personal queries posed by a soon-to-be college student and, among others, a mom, pushed Obama and Romney to speak more directly to the issues. The format also lent itself to some awkward moments, like when candidates tried to dodge a topic – as they had a 'real' person to answer to in the end, not a journalist. Both candidates seemed at ease with the more casual town-hall format, too, freewheeling around the stage as they spoke and even getting aggressively in each others' space from time to time. |
| It helped that President Obama fully showed up for this second debate, receiving a much more positive reception at the debate's end than with his last performance. | It helped that President Obama fully showed up for this second debate, receiving a much more positive reception at the debate's end than with his last performance. |
| In fact, the president more than showed up – he came out swinging. Compared to the first debate, Romney and Obama clocked more than double the attacks on each other. | In fact, the president more than showed up – he came out swinging. Compared to the first debate, Romney and Obama clocked more than double the attacks on each other. |
| Polls conducted by the networks show Obama edging out Romney for the win. Here our focus is on more than the winner. We ask: how did the moderator frame the debate? And how did the candidates answer their questions? Since this is a town hall, we also want to know: how does handing the mic over to voters change the game? | Polls conducted by the networks show Obama edging out Romney for the win. Here our focus is on more than the winner. We ask: how did the moderator frame the debate? And how did the candidates answer their questions? Since this is a town hall, we also want to know: how does handing the mic over to voters change the game? |
| Here's what we found last night. | Here's what we found last night. |
| Navigate the decoder: | Navigate the decoder: |
| Framing the debate: citizens' questions • Questions in a graph | Framing the debate: citizens' questions • Questions in a graph |
| Candidates face off: Obama and Romney's answers • Answers in a graph • Romney v Obama (by topic) | Candidates face off: Obama and Romney's answers • Answers in a graph • Romney v Obama (by topic) |
| Notable moments | The buzz | Notable moments | The buzz |
| Date | October 16, 2012 Air time | 9.00-10.30 pm ET Location | Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York Sponsor | Commission on Presidential Debates Moderator | Candy Crowley (CNN Chief Political Correspondent) | Date | October 16, 2012 Air time | 9.00-10.30 pm ET Location | Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York Sponsor | Commission on Presidential Debates Moderator | Candy Crowley (CNN Chief Political Correspondent) |
| Framing the debate: citizens' questions | Framing the debate: citizens' questions |
| The town hall debate covered both domestic and foreign policy. Eleven citizens took to the mic to ask questions spanning topics from jobs to immigration, the Libyan attack and gun rights. | The town hall debate covered both domestic and foreign policy. Eleven citizens took to the mic to ask questions spanning topics from jobs to immigration, the Libyan attack and gun rights. |
| The 82 "uncommitted" voters from New York's Hempstead area who made up the audience were picked by Gallup – the same organization that conducts major election polls. Crowley, as moderator, decided which audience members got to ask questions, which means she controlled the range of topics. She also asked follow-ups to nearly every question – a power she fought for this past week. Crowley's follow-ups remained in line with the original questions. | The 82 "uncommitted" voters from New York's Hempstead area who made up the audience were picked by Gallup – the same organization that conducts major election polls. Crowley, as moderator, decided which audience members got to ask questions, which means she controlled the range of topics. She also asked follow-ups to nearly every question – a power she fought for this past week. Crowley's follow-ups remained in line with the original questions. |
| It is notable that Crowley is the first woman to moderate a presidential debate since 1992. | It is notable that Crowley is the first woman to moderate a presidential debate since 1992. |
| Overall, this debate allowed far more back-and-forth than Obama and Romney's first presidential encounter. Compared to Jim Lehrer's six questions – half of which were taken up by issues of the economy – the eleven asked last night were greater in scope. Arguably the candidates' answers offered greater insight into the candidates' policy positions and views. Questions included some meat-and-potato topics, like the economy (jobs and taxes) and personal character, but also covered new issues, from women's rights to gun control and immigration. | Overall, this debate allowed far more back-and-forth than Obama and Romney's first presidential encounter. Compared to Jim Lehrer's six questions – half of which were taken up by issues of the economy – the eleven asked last night were greater in scope. Arguably the candidates' answers offered greater insight into the candidates' policy positions and views. Questions included some meat-and-potato topics, like the economy (jobs and taxes) and personal character, but also covered new issues, from women's rights to gun control and immigration. |
| Here is a complete breakdown of the main town hall question topics – those asked by citizens – in a graph. # | Here is a complete breakdown of the main town hall question topics – those asked by citizens – in a graph. # |
| We'll eventually add up the topics across debates to see what was covered overall, and what was left out. | We'll eventually add up the topics across debates to see what was covered overall, and what was left out. |
| To explore all the questions asked, delve though the debate transcript. | To explore all the questions asked, delve though the debate transcript. |
| Crowley did a better job handling the candidates than her predecessor, Jim Lehrer. But it wasn't easy. Both Obama and Romney often disregarded her cues that their answer time was running out and sometimes interrupted her questions. | Crowley did a better job handling the candidates than her predecessor, Jim Lehrer. But it wasn't easy. Both Obama and Romney often disregarded her cues that their answer time was running out and sometimes interrupted her questions. |
| Candidates face off: Obama and Romney's answers | Candidates face off: Obama and Romney's answers |
| We tracked how Obama and Romney answered the questions in last night's debate. How often were they "building themselves up" by making references to past accomplishments and resume, or "tearing the other guy down" by launching attacks? We also followed how often they gave us concrete plans and promises for the future. | We tracked how Obama and Romney answered the questions in last night's debate. How often were they "building themselves up" by making references to past accomplishments and resume, or "tearing the other guy down" by launching attacks? We also followed how often they gave us concrete plans and promises for the future. |
| Though town hall debates are generally considered less conducive to overt aggressive posturing and attacks that didn't stop either Obama or Romney in last night's showdown. The evening carried on as a more confident Obama was out for redemption and Romney continued to play the blame-game. | Though town hall debates are generally considered less conducive to overt aggressive posturing and attacks that didn't stop either Obama or Romney in last night's showdown. The evening carried on as a more confident Obama was out for redemption and Romney continued to play the blame-game. |
| In all, the candidates went on the attack almost equally, though Obama edged out Romney's 25 attacks with 27 of his own. The president, meanwhile, fell back heavily on his resume last night, talking up his accomplishments in 16 individual instances to Romney's six. | In all, the candidates went on the attack almost equally, though Obama edged out Romney's 25 attacks with 27 of his own. The president, meanwhile, fell back heavily on his resume last night, talking up his accomplishments in 16 individual instances to Romney's six. |
| We noted how often each gave plans and promises for the future, too, as these are useful leading indicators of a candidate's presidential ambitions. Romney did better on this front, laying out far more plans than Obama. Obama supporters may rebut this observation, saying that Romney must rely more on plans because he doesn't have four years of presidential governance to back up his points. To detractors and readers alike, the pattern held true for the first debate as well. | We noted how often each gave plans and promises for the future, too, as these are useful leading indicators of a candidate's presidential ambitions. Romney did better on this front, laying out far more plans than Obama. Obama supporters may rebut this observation, saying that Romney must rely more on plans because he doesn't have four years of presidential governance to back up his points. To detractors and readers alike, the pattern held true for the first debate as well. |
| You can see how their modes of debate break down in the graph below. Here's a quick key: | You can see how their modes of debate break down in the graph below. Here's a quick key: |
| • Resume: What we define as "building yourself up." This is when candidates refer back to their own accomplishments and past experience | • Resume: What we define as "building yourself up." This is when candidates refer back to their own accomplishments and past experience |
| • Attacks: Also known as "Breaking the other guy down." This is when candidates make explicit jabs at an opponents' policy or character | • Attacks: Also known as "Breaking the other guy down." This is when candidates make explicit jabs at an opponents' policy or character |
| • Promises: Any time the candidate makes intention statement: "I will" or "I want to". | • Promises: Any time the candidate makes intention statement: "I will" or "I want to". |
| • Plans: Any step-by-step solution to a specific question, such as "To fix the economy, I will …" | • Plans: Any step-by-step solution to a specific question, such as "To fix the economy, I will …" |
| Barack Obama is denoted in blue and Mitt Romney is in red.# | Barack Obama is denoted in blue and Mitt Romney is in red.# |
| We break down the promises and plans from last night's debate further by topic. Here's what Obama and Romney told us about their future path.# | We break down the promises and plans from last night's debate further by topic. Here's what Obama and Romney told us about their future path.# |
| # | # |
| We also noticed that the 'middle class' came up a lot last night. Both candidates continue to speak directly to and of the country's middle – or 'middle class.' Last night, Romney used the words 'middle class' 19 times to Obama's eleven. When it comes to patriotically summoning the audience as 'Americans', Romney also took the count. He referenced 'America' and 'Americans' 38 times to Obama's 18. | We also noticed that the 'middle class' came up a lot last night. Both candidates continue to speak directly to and of the country's middle – or 'middle class.' Last night, Romney used the words 'middle class' 19 times to Obama's eleven. When it comes to patriotically summoning the audience as 'Americans', Romney also took the count. He referenced 'America' and 'Americans' 38 times to Obama's 18. |
| You can explore a comprehensive list of the sorts of promises Obama and Romney have given the American people on the campaign trail here. Then test if you can tell their promises apart. | You can explore a comprehensive list of the sorts of promises Obama and Romney have given the American people on the campaign trail here. Then test if you can tell their promises apart. |
| Notable moments, laugh lines and unexpected turns | Notable moments, laugh lines and unexpected turns |
| The biggest laugh line of the night was, of course, "binders of women" – but more on Romney's poor choice of words in the buzz section of the decoder. The best one-liner, however, goes to Barack Obama. In the midst of a discussion about immigration, Romney reverts back to jobs and the economy. He tells POTUS "to check your pension". Obama deadpans: "My pension's not as big as yours." Zing! | The biggest laugh line of the night was, of course, "binders of women" – but more on Romney's poor choice of words in the buzz section of the decoder. The best one-liner, however, goes to Barack Obama. In the midst of a discussion about immigration, Romney reverts back to jobs and the economy. He tells POTUS "to check your pension". Obama deadpans: "My pension's not as big as yours." Zing! |
| Both candidates gave Candy Crowley a tough time tonight, too, especially during the first half of the debate – and Romney more so than Obama. At one point, Romney responded to her with a flat-out "no" when she asked him to move on to another question. Though Crowley struggled to stay in control, toward the end of the debate, she seemed to find her stride. | Both candidates gave Candy Crowley a tough time tonight, too, especially during the first half of the debate – and Romney more so than Obama. At one point, Romney responded to her with a flat-out "no" when she asked him to move on to another question. Though Crowley struggled to stay in control, toward the end of the debate, she seemed to find her stride. |
| CROWLEY: I understand the stakes here. I understand both of you. But I – I will get run out of town if I don't... | CROWLEY: I understand the stakes here. I understand both of you. But I – I will get run out of town if I don't... |
| The buzz: gauging Twitter on the debate | The buzz: gauging Twitter on the debate |
| When the two presidential candidates took to the stage last week, who could have guessed that an off-the-cuff remark about cutting national funding for PBS would have ended up as the night's most memorable moment. Tonight, another seemingly random remark took the interweb by storm, and just as we did with Big Bird, we have Mitt Romney to thank (Thanks Mitt!). | When the two presidential candidates took to the stage last week, who could have guessed that an off-the-cuff remark about cutting national funding for PBS would have ended up as the night's most memorable moment. Tonight, another seemingly random remark took the interweb by storm, and just as we did with Big Bird, we have Mitt Romney to thank (Thanks Mitt!). |
| Here's what happened: About half way through the debate, Romney was responding to a question from questioner Katherine Fenton about pay inequality between men and women, when he uttered four words that sent the country into a tizzy: "binders full of women," or (BFOW, if you will). | Here's what happened: About half way through the debate, Romney was responding to a question from questioner Katherine Fenton about pay inequality between men and women, when he uttered four words that sent the country into a tizzy: "binders full of women," or (BFOW, if you will). |
| Here's the full sentence: | Here's the full sentence: |
| "We took a concerted effort to go out and find women who had backgrounds that could be qualified to become members of our cabinet. I went to a number of women's groups and said, "Can you help us find folks," and they brought us whole binders full of women. | "We took a concerted effort to go out and find women who had backgrounds that could be qualified to become members of our cabinet. I went to a number of women's groups and said, "Can you help us find folks," and they brought us whole binders full of women. |
| Secretary Clinton? #inmybinder | Secretary Clinton? #inmybinder |
| The comment set off a storm of tweets, a trending hashtag (#bindersfullofwomen), a parody account, @Romneys_Binder, and a Facebook page which grew from 0 to 150k fans by midnight of last night. Romney's account last night got fact-checked by our very own Richard Adams, which you should make sure to read after chuckling your way through some of last night's tweets on the matter. | The comment set off a storm of tweets, a trending hashtag (#bindersfullofwomen), a parody account, @Romneys_Binder, and a Facebook page which grew from 0 to 150k fans by midnight of last night. Romney's account last night got fact-checked by our very own Richard Adams, which you should make sure to read after chuckling your way through some of last night's tweets on the matter. |
| Will someone photoshop my face on a binder, PLEASE? #debates | Will someone photoshop my face on a binder, PLEASE? #debates |
| Romney: Women are children machines I will properlymaintain. | Romney: Women are children machines I will properlymaintain. |
| You know who has binders full of women also? Violentacrez. | You know who has binders full of women also? Violentacrez. |
| Mitt's 5pt plan: 1.Binders full of women 2.Binders full of jobs 3.Binders full of immigrants 4.Binders bull of coal 5.Binders full of birds | Mitt's 5pt plan: 1.Binders full of women 2.Binders full of jobs 3.Binders full of immigrants 4.Binders bull of coal 5.Binders full of birds |
| There it is! The 47%! Saved it as a haymaker for the end. Nice | There it is! The 47%! Saved it as a haymaker for the end. Nice |
| Admittedly, most other moments of the evening pale in comparison to BFOW. That said, there was one other thing that had everyone guessing throughout the night: the question of whether or not Obama would address Romney's now-infamous 47% remark. Potus did, but waited until his closing statement. Whether he was keeping the 47% up his sleeve all along is impossible to know but perhaps what matters most is that he said it at all: | Admittedly, most other moments of the evening pale in comparison to BFOW. That said, there was one other thing that had everyone guessing throughout the night: the question of whether or not Obama would address Romney's now-infamous 47% remark. Potus did, but waited until his closing statement. Whether he was keeping the 47% up his sleeve all along is impossible to know but perhaps what matters most is that he said it at all: |
| This final Obama hit on the 47 percent comment is his best punch so far. Strong finish for Obama. #debates | This final Obama hit on the 47 percent comment is his best punch so far. Strong finish for Obama. #debates |
| "I believe Governor Romney is a good man. I believe that he said behind closed doors that 47% of Americans are victims." - Barack Obama | "I believe Governor Romney is a good man. I believe that he said behind closed doors that 47% of Americans are victims." - Barack Obama |
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