Twitter Chat: What to Expect for the Town Hall Debate
Politics editor Christina Bellantoni answered your questions Monday about the town hall presidential debate during a live Twitter chat.
See the archived chat below and look for more coverage on the second presidential debate Tuesday on our website where we'll have a live stream and live blog beginning in the afternoon. Additionally, Christina will speak with some undecided voters in a Google hangout before the debate at 7:30 pm ET.
Q1 via @ducky1234: Will they address the mounting debt? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A1 Highly likely debt/deficit spending issues/fiscal cliff will come up during debate. Consistently ranks high on top voter worries
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q2 via @mdhillraiser: Will they talk about #climatechange? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A2 It's surprising this hasn't already come up. Tough topic for prez given lack of action when Dems controlled Congress
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
A2, cont. All that said, chances are it WILL come up tomorrow. But what is question -- is it cap&trade, coal, wind? We'll see!
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q3: How will the candidates address the health and economy? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A3 Health care & economy definitely will come up. Look for Obama to push back on GOP Medicare claims & talk about fewer uninsured
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
A3, cont. And on health care & economy, Obama likely to challenge Romney on his repeal & replace Obamacare promise.
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q4 via @julianawriter: Will they tell us the whole truth? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A4: Of course not. Debate prep designed to let pols give own version of truth, usually grains in there, but lots & lots of spin
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q5: Do you think the candidates will be in a greater attack mode this time? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A5 Team Obama signaled more aggressive strategy, but w/ town hall format that's harder. Expect more direct Qs to each other #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q6 via @moonlitechirp: Who decides which questions get asked and will they edit them before asking? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A6 Gallup selects people in audience, who submit Qs to moderator Candy Crowley. She chooses, Qs won't be edited #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
A6, cont. I'll add what I've always said, that real people tend to ask better Qs of politicians than journos. #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Via @ mikekinsman: How much will the moderator participate in tomorrow's town hall format? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A7 Moderator should have some leeway, there's been some dust-up on this Q. Good reporting here: ti.me/RYA9F5 #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q8: What should viewers be watching for during tomorrow's debate? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A8 Most basic Q is can you see this person as president. True undecideds should avoid media chatter after! #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
A8 Of course watch PBS for debate coverage! But important to filter what was said through your own life lens. #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q9: What questions do you they think they side-stepped the last time? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
Q10: @padrealberto asks if immigration will come up #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A10 Another topic I'm surprised we haven't seen yet. DREAM Act hugely influential for many voters, so chances are ... #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q11 via @lake_champlain: How will candidates address issue of collapsing #water infrastructure that harm the health & economy? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A11 Infrastructure is one of those super important issues that rarely gets talked about. Especially water! #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
Q12: What about fact checking? #pbselection
— PBS NewsHour Live (@NewsHour_Live) October 15, 2012
A12 We've gotten a lot of Qs on fact-checking. I'm for it! Tough job when lots of competing studies/figures etc. #pbselection
— Christina Bellantoni (@cbellantoni) October 15, 2012
