By — Colleen Shalby Colleen Shalby Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/twitter-chat-what-to-expect-for-the-town-hall-debate Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter Chat: What to Expect for the Town Hall Debate Politics Oct 15, 2012 6:03 PM EDT 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 We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Colleen Shalby Colleen Shalby @CShalby
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 We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now