SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Election

October 4, 2012

Locals offer opinions on first presidential debate

Editor’s note: Richard Tisei, Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional District, could not be reached for comment as of press time.

Timothy Sherratt

Political science professor, Gordon College

Who won? Romney.

Why? He’s finally on the level playing field with the president. Also, I think this part of the race has drifted more towards stories that have been negative for Romney, you know, criticisms that the campaign has had a lot of missteps....he didn’t make missteps tonight. He was clear. He seemed very ready to debate.

Favorite moment? The fact that (Romney) got to talk in the opening about jobs gave him the opportunity right away to list problems that the administration had over four years. And then they closed by talking about the role of government, and I think Romney’s very comfortable talking about that. I think Obama had a harder time making the argument that the federal government is an engine of change.

Rob Brown

Communications professor, Salem State University

Who won? Romney.

Why? I think he had more energy, I think he really looked like he wanted to be there, and I think the president looked like he didn’t want to attack, and I think he got beaten in this debate.

Favorite moment? I think what really helped [Romney] was at the beginning, he began telling stories, he personalized the issues....Obama didn’t do that until he talked about his grandmother.

John Tierney

Democrat Congressman, 6th Congressional District

Who won? Neither.

Why? I think both were very good at what they did. They both made the points they wanted to make.

Favorite moment? The president pointed out very clearly how Mitt Romney was talking about repealing a number of things but wouldn’t talk about how he would replace them or what he would replace them with.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Election

Local News
  • Danvers school budget under fire at Town Meeting DANVERS -- Town Meeting last night quelled a mini revolt over the school budget and rejected the idea of Saturday voting for the annual town election. There was much debate over a minority report from two dissenting Finance Committee members, Michael

    May 21, 2013

  • 130520_SN_ABO_ACCIDENT_4 Driver questioned in man's death identified SALEM -- A Haverhill man has been identified as the driver under investigation in the death of a Salem man who was reportedly struck or run over by a car in the Pond View Village housing complex in Gloucester early Saturday morning. James Hayes, 43,

    May 21, 2013 2 Photos

  • Salem State University to open Holocaust, genocide studies center SALEM -- More than 30 years ago, Holocaust survivor Sonia Weitz of Peabody and her friend Harriet Wacks dreamed of educating future generations about the tragic lessons of World War II. That dream came true when they founded the Holocaust Center Bos

    May 21, 2013

  • 130520_SN_KYU_VET_2 Ceremony marches on BEVERLY -- As a sailor stationed in New York City during the Korean War, Arnold Doucette marched in Memorial Day parades with thousands of people lining the route. The marching continued when he got out of the Navy and returned to his native East Bos

    May 21, 2013 3 Photos

  • 130519_NT_sand_3 [Duplicate] Massive sandbar forms off Plum Island IPSWICH -- Plum Island's battle with erosion has dominated the headlines this year, but as the winter's ravages recede, another impact of winter storms is becoming visible, especially from Crane Beach -- enormous new offshore sandbars at the northern

    May 21, 2013 2 Photos