Tonight will be the first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The Commission on Presidential Debates has already released tonight's topics, and Latinos Post has compiled a list of the most important ones viewers should pay special attention to.
1. Economy
The economy has been a hot-button issue since the last election. It's listed three times on the debate topics list, so it should be the key issue in tonight. A recent CNN poll said that 70 percent of Latino voters are concerned with the economy more than anything else.
CNN says Obama will make the argument that the county is making progress and now is not the time to revert back to George W. Bush's years or help the tycoons on Wall Street.
Romney, however, is expected to take the other route.
"In his year and a half long bid for the White House, one of the former Massachusetts governor's main arguments is that thanks to his business background, he can do a better job creating jobs than Obama has done over the past four years. The debate in Denver gives Romney a well-watched platform to make his case," the article says.
2. Immigration
This is another key issue that should take precedent tonight.
The Huffington Post reports that Monday, Romney told the Denver Post that if elected, he would not rescind the two-year deportation relief applications and work permits policy the Obama administration put in place. He said he would marshal reform through Congress.
A CNN poll said that Obama is already in high favors of Latino voters.
Seventy percent of Latino voters are backing the incumbent president.
3. Health care
Although not as popular today as it was a year ago, the health care issue is still on most Americans' minds
Romney vowed to repeal Obama's healt care reform if he's elected.
Reuters reported that Romney said he would accelerate the use of high-deductible insurance plans and require beneficiaries to pay thousands of dollars more in out-of-pocket expenses.
That would allow consumers to choose up front what products and services to buy and from whom, according to the Romney campaign. Analysts in the article said Romney's "favors the affluent.
4. The Middle East
While the first debate will center mostly on domestic policy, CNN says Romney may interject arguments about Libya, where four Americans were killed in a terrorist attack last month.
CNN reports that polls indicate that the economy remains the top issue for voters, and Romney advisers in Boston believe the same. And when it comes to foreign policy, more voters trust Obama than Romney, so there may be a chance it won't come up at all.
5. Who is more presidential?
What Americans learned from the first ever televised presidential debate is that looks are important. Whether a candidate looks baffled and nervous on camera could cost him or her the election. CNN says, to most Americans, this debate is really about which candidate has the "composure and stature" to serve in the White House.
"If either the president or Romney can't pass this test, the rest really don't matter. Big ideas from a small person won't make you president of the United States," says Republican strategist and CNN contributor Alex Castellanos. "When the moment comes, this is like proposing to your wife. This is a big moment."
The article said Obama obviously has the leading advantage, but should not take that for granted tonight. It said Romney has to be ready to not only be on the defensive, but do it with ease as to not look threatened.
The debate will start at 9 p.m. EDT and will air on all major news TV networks.
ABC's live stream
The following is the official list of debate topics. Subject to possible changes because of news developments.
The Economy - 1, The Economy - II, The Economy - III, Health Care, The Role of Government, Governing
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