Reaction to First Presidential Debate

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Lewis and Clark College Professor Joe Gant says historically, the first debate goes to the challenger and this was no exception.  Romney appeared to be more assertive and had a better command of the subject matter, while President Obama looked a little tentative and passive.  

Gant says the candidates' non-verbal cues also left something to be desired, especially when they were not speaking.  The President often looked down while Romney was speaking, and therefore, appeared to not be a good listener or too engaged in the conversation.  On the flip side, he says Romney may have appeared a bit too engaged and his occasional smirk or wince during the President's remarks were a bit distracting.

FM News 101 held a debate night round table with eight listeners giving us their thoughts on how the candidates did.