By HUGO GYE
A bristling Barack Obama went on the attack in the second presidential debate, but his rival Mitt Romney gave no ground as the two men clashed again and again amid angry and at times electric exchanges.
Clearly coming with a different game plan after his lacklustre performance in Denver, Obama assailed Romney on his tax rate, his tax plan, his stance on the auto bailout and his plans to stand up to China.
‘Governor Romney says he's got a five point plan? Governor Romney doesn't have a five-point plan, he's got a one-point plan,’ Obama said. ‘To make sure that the folks at the top play by a separate set of rules.’
But Romney, who was declared the overwhelming winner in Denver a fortnight ago, was determined not to cede any point, interrupting Obama and even arguing with moderator Candy Crowley about the debate rules. ‘You'll get your chance in a moment, I'm still speaking,’ he scolded Obama at one point as the President stood up.
The pair even appeared physically aggressive, taking advantage of the lack of any obstacles between them to go almost toe-to-toe as they angrily gestured and showed their passion through their body language.
ECONOMIC PLANS - WHO CAN BALANCE BUDGETS?
Obama accused Romney of being unable to detail his economic plans, saying the spending plan lacked 'any specifics beyond Big Bird and eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood.'
But the former governor of Massachusetts ridiculed this suggestion, as he said: 'I know how to balance budgets - I've been doing it my whole life.' He also appeared insulted about a question from Crowley on what would happen if his budget plans 'didn't add up', insisting that this scenario was unthinkable.
'WAR ON WOMEN' - WHICH CANDIDATE IS FEMALE-FRIENDLY?
The two argued about how their policies would affect women - Obama talked about the Lilly Ledbetter act, which makes it easier for female workers to sue over discriminatory employment policies.
But Romney countered by referring to his record as governor, saying he had made great efforts to appoint female cabinet members and talking about 'binders full of women' which he used to ensure gender equality in government.
ANOTHER BUSH? ROMNEY POINTS OUT DIFFERENCE FROM PREDECESSOR
Romney was asked how he planned to distinguish himself from the last Republican President, George W. Bush, and pointed to his commitment to balance the budget and achieve energy independence for North America.
He also added, 'I will be tough on China' - but Obama, pointing to Romney's private-equity career, said he had invested in companies 'which are pioneers of outsourcing to China.'
The President also claimed his opponent would imitate Bush's economic policies, which he repeatedly claims were responsible for the economic crisis.
THE DISILLUSIONED VOTER - WHY SUPPORT OBAMA AGAIN?
One questioner said he had supported Obama in 2008, but found it hard to justify voting to re-elect the President. Obama insisted: 'The commitments I've made, I've kept. Those that I haven't been able to keep, it's not for lack of trying.'
But Romney countered: 'I think you know better. I think you know the last four years haven't been so good as the President described.'
PERSONAL WEALTH - ROMNEY ACCUSES OBAMA OF DODGY INVESTMENTS
The pair clashed over their respective investments, after Obama accused Romney of having plowed money into Chinese company and outsourcing firms.
The GOP candidate asked, 'Mr Obama, have you looked at your pension?', to which the President replied: 'I don't look at my pension, it's not as big as yours.'
But Romney claimed that Obama had also invested in Chinese firms and companies controlled from offshore tax havens.
THE ATTACK IN BENGHAZI - WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE?
The President made another U-turn over the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi which killed ambassador Chris Stevens and three others, as he admitted he was ultimately responsible for all security issues.
On Monday night, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that she took responsibility for the failures of intelligence and security which allowed the raid to take place - but during the debate Obama said, 'Secretary Clinton has done an extraordinary job, but she works for me.'
However, he angrily denied that there had been any sort of cover-up over the tragedy, saying: 'The suggestion that anyone on my team would play politics when we lost four of our own is offensive.'
He also emphasised his own role as commander in chief as he pointed out: 'I'm the one who has to greet those coffins when they come home.'
And Crowley was dragged into the argument when she told Romney he was mistaken in saying that Obama did not admit the attack was the work of terrorists until two weeks later, which the President adding, 'Candy, could you say that a little louder?'
That tense moment saw the audience burst into a round of applause - despite rules meant to restrict any displays of partisanship from the crowd.
JOB CREATION - CAN WE RELY ON GOVERNMENT?
Romney accused Obama of relying on government to reduce unemployment, and repeated: 'Government does not create jobs.'
But the President denied that accusation, saying, 'I believe in risk takers being rewarded... but I believe that everyone should have a fair shot.'
And he also took the opportunity to go after Romney for his notorious comments describing 47 per cent of Americans as 'victims' who are dependent on government, arguing that it showed the candidate as out of touch with the U.S. public.
source: dailymail
