FRONTLINE

The Choice 2012

Season 2012 Episode 19 | 1h 54m 17s

A journey into the places, people, and decisive moments that made the men who are competing for the presidency. Hundreds of hours of research and dozens of original interviews reveal new details and fresh insights about the two candidates — and our choice this November.

Aired: 10/08/12

Rating: NR

Video has closed captioning.

Buy Now:

Watch Preview

Problems Playing Video?

Closed Captioning

Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation, the Park Foundation, The John and Helen Glessner Family Trust, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation.

More Episodes

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The Suicide Plan

FRONTLINE

The Suicide Plan

FRONTLINE explores the underground world of assisted suicide.

S2012 Ep22 | 1h 23m 41s

The Suicide Plan

S2012 Ep22 | 1h 23m 41s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Big Sky, Big Money

FRONTLINE

Big Sky, Big Money

A tale of money and politics from Montana, the epicenter of the campaign finance debate.

S2012 Ep21 | 53m 46s

Big Sky, Big Money

S2012 Ep21 | 53m 46s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Climate of Doubt

FRONTLINE

Climate of Doubt

FRONTLINE goes inside the groups who shifted the direction of the climate change debate.

S2012 Ep20 | 53m 47s

Climate of Doubt

S2012 Ep20 | 53m 47s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The Choice 2012

Now Showing

FRONTLINE

The Choice 2012

FRONTLINE presents the definitive portraits of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

S2012 Ep19 | 1h 54m 17s

The Choice 2012

S2012 Ep19 | 1h 54m 17s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Dropout Nation

FRONTLINE

Dropout Nation

A portrait of students in crisis and those waging a daily struggle to get them to graduate

S2012 Ep18 | 1h 53m 40s

Dropout Nation

S2012 Ep18 | 1h 53m 40s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The Battle for Syria

FRONTLINE

The Battle for Syria

In this two-part special, FRONTLINE journeys into the heart of the Syrian insurgency.

S2012 Ep17 | 53m 42s

The Battle for Syria

S2012 Ep17 | 53m 42s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Alaska Gold

FRONTLINE

Alaska Gold

FRONTLINE probes the growing battle for fishing rights and mining wealth in Alaska.

S2012 Ep16 | 53m 44s

Alaska Gold

S2012 Ep16 | 53m 44s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Fast Times at West Philly High

FRONTLINE

Fast Times at West Philly High

July 17, 2012 magazine: Fast Times at West Philly High and Middle School Moment

S2012 Ep15 | 53m 42s

Fast Times at West Philly High

S2012 Ep15 | 53m 42s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE ENDGAME: AIDS in Black America

FRONTLINE

ENDGAME: AIDS in Black America

A groundbreaking exploration of one of America's most urgent, preventable health crises.

S2012 Ep14 | 1h 53m 40s

ENDGAME: AIDS in Black America

S2012 Ep14 | 1h 53m 40s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Dollars and Dentists

FRONTLINE

Dollars and Dentists

FRONTLINE and the Center for Public Integrity investigate America's dental care crisis.

S2012 Ep13 | 53m 40s

Dollars and Dentists

S2012 Ep13 | 53m 40s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Al Qaeda in Yemen and The Interrogator

FRONTLINE

Al Qaeda in Yemen and The Interrogator

May 29 Magazine: Al Qaeda in Yemen and a rebroadcast of The Interrogator

S2012 Ep12 | 54m 41s

Al Qaeda in Yemen and The Interrogator

S2012 Ep12 | 54m 41s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Money, Power and Wall Street: Part Four

FRONTLINE

Money, Power and Wall Street: Part Four

FRONTLINE probes a Wall Street culture that remains focused on risky trades.

S2012 Ep10 | 56m 22s

Money, Power and Wall Street: Part Four

S2012 Ep10 | 56m 22s

See All Episodes

Extras From This Episode

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The Choice 2012

FRONTLINE

The Choice 2012

On October 9, FRONTLINE presents the definitive portraits of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Preview: S2012 Ep19 | 30s

The Choice 2012

Preview: S2012 Ep19 | 30s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE "The Choice 2012" Trailer

FRONTLINE

"The Choice 2012" Trailer

On Oct. 9 FRONTLINE presents the definitive biographies of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Preview: S2012 Ep19 | 2m

"The Choice 2012" Trailer

Preview: S2012 Ep19 | 2m

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE When Mitt Romney Bet On Staples

FRONTLINE

When Mitt Romney Bet On Staples

Staples' launch in 1986 was a turning point for Mitt Romney's early tenure at Bain.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 6m 48s

When Mitt Romney Bet On Staples

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 6m 48s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Behind the scenes -- Michael Kirk on "The Choice 2012"

FRONTLINE

Behind the scenes -- Michael Kirk on "The Choice 2012"

FRONTLINE producer Michael Kirk talks about the upcoming FRONTLINE film "The Choice 2012".

Preview: S2012 Ep19 | 1m

Behind the scenes -- Michael Kirk on "The Choice 2012"

Preview: S2012 Ep19 | 1m

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE La Alternativa 2012

FRONTLINE

La Alternativa 2012

FRONTLINE presenta el perfil definitivo de Barck Obama y Mitt Romney.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 1h 55m 6s

La Alternativa 2012

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 1h 55m 6s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE "History Is A Great Teacher"

FRONTLINE

"History Is A Great Teacher"

How Mitt Romney and Barack Obama learned from their early public defeats.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 9m 48s

"History Is A Great Teacher"

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 9m 48s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Mitt Romney Debates Ted Kennedy

FRONTLINE

Mitt Romney Debates Ted Kennedy

Mitt Romney and Ted Kennedy spar over health care reform in their first debate from 1994.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 3m 2s

Mitt Romney Debates Ted Kennedy

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 3m 2s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE Barack Obama's Early Debate Against Bobby Rush

FRONTLINE

Barack Obama's Early Debate Against Bobby Rush

Watch Obama Challenge Rep. Bobby Rush, and Lose, in an Early Debate

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 1m 51s

Barack Obama's Early Debate Against Bobby Rush

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 1m 51s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Geoff Rehnert

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Geoff Rehnert

Mitt Romney's former colleague on their work at Bain and his leadership style.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 41m 54s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Geoff Rehnert

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 41m 54s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Tom Topolinski

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Tom Topolinski

Obama's childhood friend talks high school, the "Choom Gang" and playing hoops.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 51m 6s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Tom Topolinski

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 51m 6s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Gerald Kellman

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Gerald Kellman

Kellman, who hired Obama as an activist, says his work in Chicago was a "baptism by fire."

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 42m 36s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Gerald Kellman

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 42m 36s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Cassandra Butts

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Cassandra Butts

Obama's former law school classmate discusses their long friendship, his political skills.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 1h 19s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Cassandra Butts

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 1h 19s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Charley Manning

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Charley Manning

He served as Mitt Romney's strategist in the 1994 effort to oust Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 58m 54s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Charley Manning

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 58m 54s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Philip Maxwell

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Philip Maxwell

A high school classmate recalls Mitt Romney as a prankster.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 29m 9s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Philip Maxwell

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 29m 9s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Ann Romney

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Ann Romney

Mitt Romney's wife talks about the couple's marriage and their time together in politics.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 19m 49s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Ann Romney

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 19m 49s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Tagg Romney

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Tagg Romney

A conversation with Mitt Romney's oldest son.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 31m 24s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Tagg Romney

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 31m 24s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Sohale Siddiqi

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Sohale Siddiqi

Obama's roommate saw a distinct change in his friend while they lived together in NYC.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 40m 36s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Sohale Siddiqi

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 40m 36s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Ben Rhodes

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Ben Rhodes

A top national security adviser, he recounts the decision to kill bin Laden in Pakistan.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 30m 52s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Ben Rhodes

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 30m 52s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Valerie Jarrett

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Valerie Jarrett

The Obamas' friend from Chicago talks politics, and the couple's early life together.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 34m 57s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Valerie Jarrett

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 34m 57s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Rahm Emmanuel

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Rahm Emmanuel

His former chief of staff discusses Obama's attempts to create a post-partisan Washington.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 31m 29s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Rahm Emmanuel

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 31m 29s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Eric Fehrnstrom

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Eric Fehrnstrom

A top aide to Mitt Romney, he has worked for the Republican nominee for a decade.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 34m 17s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Eric Fehrnstrom

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 34m 17s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Jonathan Gruber

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Jonathan Gruber

The MIT economics professor tells how he helped create Romneycare and Obamacare.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 33m 13s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Jonathan Gruber

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 33m 13s

Video thumbnail: FRONTLINE The FRONTLINE Interview: Dane McBride

FRONTLINE

The FRONTLINE Interview: Dane McBride

Dane McBride served as a Mormon missionary alongside Mitt Romney in France.

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 58m 3s

The FRONTLINE Interview: Dane McBride

Clip: S2012 Ep19 | 58m 3s

See All Extras

More News and Public Affairs Shows

PBS NewsHour
Washington Week
Retro Report on PBS
Amanpour and Company
To The Contrary
Firing Line