If you missed last night’s first presidential debate, let’s get you up to speed.
For the whole thing, here’s a full transcript from The Washington Post. And the video replay from The New York Times, if you want to see it.
Want just the highlights? Here’s a “Factbox” from Reuters that pulls a bunch of quotes from the candidates, broken down by topic. Here’s a sample exchange from that, on taxes…
[Romney] On taxes:
“I’m not looking to cut massive taxes and reduce the revenues going to the government. My number one principle is there will be no tax cut that adds to the deficit. But I do want to reduce the burden being paid by middle-income Americans. And to do that, that also means I cannot reduce the burden paid by high-income people.”
[Obama] In response to Romney’s tax plan:
“If you think by closing loopholes and deductions for the well-to-do somehow you will not end up picking up the tab, then Governor Romney’s plan may work for you. But I think math, common sense, and our history, shows us that’s not a recipe for job growth.”
“If you’re lowering the rates as you describe, governor, it is not possible to come up with enough deductions and loopholes that only affect high-income individuals or burdening the middle class. It’s math, it’s arithmetic.”
But do their words at the debate stand up to reality, or what they’ve said in the past? Check out Politifact’s roundup, The Associated Press’ fact check, and The New York Times’. Finally, here’s the schedule for the rest of the debates, so you don’t miss those:
Thursday, October 11: Vice Presidential Debate
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. ET
Centre College in Danville, Ky.Moderator: Martha Raddatz, Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent, ABC News
Focus: Foreign and domestic topicsTuesday, October 16: Presidential Debate (Town Hall)
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. ET
Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.Moderator: Candy Crowley, Chief Political Correspondent, CNN
Focus: Foreign and domestic issuesMonday, October 22: Presidential Debate
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. ET
Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.Moderator: Bob Schieffer, Chief Washington Correspondent, Face the Nation
Focus: Foreign policy
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