Advantageous Obama!

All the spotlights were aimed at Obama during the second televised debate between the president and his challenger. Would he be able to compensate for his loss of the first debate? Would he appear fiercer or more aggressive? Would millions of viewers watch a president who clearly shows that he wants to continue and is keen on a second term?

Two weeks ago, Obama appeared grumpy, bored and at times even weary of office. His contender Mitt Romney, however, was vivid, alert and much better prepared. He was the clear winner in a society so focused on television that pays attention to gestures and facial expressions. If one had only read the transcripts, it would have probably resulted in a draw.

Yet, this time it resulted in an advantage for Obama. The relief among the Democrats was immediately visible. Before the debate was even finished, Obama’s campaign spokeswoman, Jan Psaki, cheerfully walked down to the press center and said that they had all been cheering again and again during the past 90 minutes.

Gruff and Charmless Romney

Last time, Obama and his wife had immediately left the stage. This time, they stayed for several minutes to shake hands. A cheerful Obama just kept on chatting and had pictures taken with members of the audience; it seemed as though he did not want to leave. Obama’s spokespersons repeatedly emphasized how well the president had done this time. That is part of their business, but from looking around, it was also apparent that the Republicans had long faces.

Mitt Romney did not lose as badly as the president had before. Yet, Obama was more vivid, focused and in better spirits this time. His arguments were more precise than those of his opponent, and he relentlessly attacked Romney’s weak spots. Whether it was coal power or immigration, tax reductions or the health care reform, Obama insistently brought forward all of the issues where the former Governor of Massachusetts had changed his opinion. “So what I’ve tried to do is be consistent,” said the president.

On the contrary, Romney did not seem to feel at ease with himself. He did not answer some of the audience’s questions because he preferred to make a different point. His interactions with the host, Candy Crowley, were gruff, and he told the president off in a rather charmless manner: “You’ll get your chance in a moment. I’m still speaking.”

His political agenda remained vague. Neither did he explain where exactly he wants to cut costs in the national budget nor did he get across what he is planning on doing differently. His message could be summed up in one phrase: vote for me – that alone makes the difference!

No Time to Sit Back for Obama

Will the outcome of the debate drastically improve the president’s chance to win this election? Not likely. Just as the electorate saw Romney in a new light after the first debate, they will now do the same thing for Obama. The president can take a short breath of relief, but he cannot relax.

It remains a head-to-head race. In September, for a short moment it looked like Obama was escaping Romney’s reach since almost all the opinion polls suddenly had Obama five to seven percent ahead of his challenger. However, that was the exceptional circumstance after the party conventions, which had gone better for the Democrats than for the Republicans.

Obama has to fight for the faith the Americans had placed in him before. Indeed, the country is looking somewhat optimistically toward the future; unemployment is decreasing and wages are slowly increasing. Yet, the unemployment rate is still at almost eight percent. Presidents have rarely been reelected on such grounds. Moreover, Mitt Romney has enhanced his profile; he has become a stronger opponent. In times of economic distress, it seems more likely that voters will trust a businessman with the task of getting accounts moving again.