Candidates Need to Be Careful During Town-Hall Style Debate

DEKALB - The pressure's on President Obama to make a better performance at Tuesday night's town-hall style debate at Hofstra University in New York.  Obama admits he didn't do as well as he would have hoped to have done, but the playing field becomes a bit more level in a town-hall style debate where the public is watching your every move.

Dr. Ferald Bryan, NIU communications professor who specializes in presidential rhetoric, says President Obama lost his assertive edge during the first debate.  He says Obama needs to bring back the Obama of 2008, the one who had the energy and zeal to become president.  Bryan says that assertiveness is something that needs to come back for debate round two.

"Romney attacked on the economy and lack of jobs," said Bryan.  "Obama of course knew that that's what he was going to attack on but he seemed defensive.  He didn't fire back, he didn't offer I think a strong assertive rebuttal, as many people have said."

Bryan says the president needs to be more on the offensive and attack back instead of the passive approach he seemed to have taken during the first debate.  He adds that Romney's offensive tactics helped to create a strong leader image that helped push him ahead in the polls.

"Romney, very importantly for the first debate, looked the equal of the sitting President of the United States," said Bryan.

And image in a debate without podiums is everything.  In a town-hall style debate, the candidates are walking around, sitting on stools - they get to show a bit more of their personality.  But the ability to show more personality can also come back to bite the candidates.

That was the case in the 1992 town-hall style debate where President George H.W. Bush was about to answer a question about the recession where the camera catches him glancing at his watch, as if he were in a hurry to get out and was disinterested. 

Another debate gaffe was when Vice President Al Gore made the choice to stand up and approach then Governor George W. Bush, while Bush was answering a question.  It looked as if Gore was trying to physically intimidate Bush, but Bush laughed it off and it looked bad on Gore instead.

"It's difficult," said Bryan.  "They have to be very careful with where they move, how they move and where the cameras are.  It's not just reacting."

You can catch Tuesday night's debate on WTVO.  Coverage starts at 8:00 PM.