Economy Takes Center Stage During Second Presidential Debate

Jobs are the best way to the hearts of undecided Americans, and issue was discussed at length during the second presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney on Tuesday night.

The debate started off with a question from a college student who wanted to know what each candidate would do to improve the economy to help him get a job and provide for himself after he graduated.

Romney touched on his business experience and his proven record of creating jobs.

“Your question — your question is one that’s being asked by college kids all over this country,” said Romney. “So what we have to do is two things: we have to make sure that we make it easier for kids to afford college and also make sure that when they get out of college, there’s a job.”

Obama went down a different path and almost seemed to be addressing a different question.

“Jeremy, first of all, your future is bright, and the fact that you’re making investment in higher education is critical, not just to you but to the entire nation,” said Obama. “Number one, I want to build manufacturing jobs in this country again.”

Instead of addressing the question, Obama played to his perceived strength of handling the auto industry bailout in which unions benefitted heavily.

Throughout the debate, Governor Romney focused on a broader plan to grow the economy trough tax cuts, investments and helping small businesses create jobs. He relied heavily on his experience creating jobs in the private sector.

Obama however seemed to focus his answers on the economy in relation to other issues like education in order to shift the focus from his weak record on the economy.

Surprisingly, the two candidates did agree on one thing: The corporate tax rate.

“We need to create jobs here. And both Governor Romney and I agree, actually, that we should lower our corporate tax rate. It’s too high,” said Obama.

By the end of the second debate, “jobs” was mentioned a total of 60 times and “economy” was mentioned 34 times – much more than any other issues discussed.