TRANSCRIPT
REPORTER: U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney battled over economic issues Wednesday in a presidential debate that could prove to be pivotal in helping voters decide which candidate to support in the November election. The two candidates plunged into economic issues that were the central theme of the University of Denver debate, with Obama arguing his plans would ultimately lead to strong job growth.
U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: "Governor Romney has a perspective that says if we cut taxes, skew towards the wealthy and roll back regulations, that we'll be better off. I've got a different view."
REPORTER: Romney charged that Obama's policies had failed to turn around the economy and make a significant dent in 8.1 percent unemployment rate.
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MITT ROMNEY: "The president has a view very similar to the view he had when he ran four years ago, that a bigger government, spending more, taxing more, regulating more, if you will, trickle-down government would work.,"
REPORTER: Ahead of the debate, Obama held a slight edge in national polls and (was) leading Romney in some swing states where the election will be decided.
COMMENT
The New York Times has a fantastic Interactive Video Replay of the whole debate with transcript, fact checks and graphics!
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• US election: Obama and Romney clash in Denver (BBC News)
• A Clash of Philosophies (New York Times)
• Combative Romney comes out on top as Obama stumbles in first debate (The Guardian)
• US election: top 10 debate moments (The Telegraph)
