Local Reaction to Presidential Debate

October 4, 2012 - The first presidential debate for the 2012 election is in the books, with mixed reaction from political analysts and voters in Erie.

    Some voters were impressed with Governor Mitt Romney while others liked what they heard from President Barack Obama.

    The two presidential candidates faced off in Denver for the first presidential debate, but who won, who lost and did it sway voters? 

    For some voters in Erie, Romney's performance changed their opinion, while it didn't make a difference for others.

"I thought Romney was very articulate well informed and very on the ball, said Jean Worden."

"[It was] challenging for President Obama, although he's getting my vote and I think the next couple of debates will be a lot more revealing and he'll be a lot tough on his stances," Lisa Layman said.

    Dr. Kozak has been a professor during the last 13 elections.

    He says only time will tell if this debate hurt or helped either candidate.

    But that each candidate performed differently.

"I think we see a president who's very reflective and who's dealing with an awful lot but he lacked the animation we might recall from 2008," Kozak said.

"The challenger, Governor Romney, was really assertive." Kozak said. "That's probably the most intense performance he's had even more than when he was in quest of the nomination."

    The next presidential debate will be in a townhall setting on October 16th.

    The vice presidential debate is October 11th.