Round 2 for Presidential Candidates

The third debate of the election perked up the ears of college students from the very first question.

Obama and Romney met at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. for their first town hall setting debate. With an open floor, candidates answered questions from 85 uncommitted voters.

The first question was from a 20-year-old who asked about his college loans and job prospects after college. Romney answered that he wants to continue improving Pell Grants to students and he will create more jobs while erasing the deficit. Obama said he would guarantee more grants available for all students; he mentioned his “investment in America,” and how he will make new jobs for people by rebuilding the infrastructure of the nation.

Energy was a topic of debate for the first time this election cycle. Obama would like to up domestic fossil fuel production, while taking tax credits from the oil companies and investing that money in green energy companies. Romney said he would build the Keystone pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and increase more drilling in Alaska to encourage oil production increase in general.

Once again, the candidates discussed their position on taxes. Romney illustrated his tax code, saying, “the middle class has been buried the last four years.” Obama said he would like to keep cutting taxes on the middle class and on small businesses, while raising taxes on the top two percent of Americans.

A woman in the crowd asked about the glass ceiling that women face in the workplace. Obama stated that he would provide more Pell Grants to women so more women can get a good education. Romney talked about how he had women in his Governors Cabinet in Massachusetts, and he would encourage employers to have a flexible work schedule for women.

On the issue of immigration, Romney said he wants to “staple a green card to every diploma.” Obama focused on his Dream Act and spoke about improving the legal system so that immigrants have an easier process to get into America.

Another question from an audience member asked about the candidates’ positions on guns and assault rifles. Obama said he believes in the second amendment; he wants to keep improving the enforcement of laws, and he wants to keep assault rifles off the streets. Romney stated that he would not introduce any new legislation; he would enforce laws and advocate better schools and parents to teach that violence is not the answer. This was the first time the issue of gun control has surfaced in the debates, and it gave each candidate the opportunity to showcase their distinct positions on the issue for the first time.

The last debate takes place tonight. It will focus exclusively on foreign policy and will take place in Boca Ranton Fla. Tune in on any major news station.