Last night’s debate between President Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney covered an array of issues from taxes, healthcare, the economy,  and the role of government.   

American Enterprise Institute (AEI) scholars are weighing in, sorting the policy from the politics and offering expert analysis on these important issues.  Below are some of the instant reaction highlights to the major points made during the debate.

If you would like to speak with an AEI scholar on background or would like to arrange an interview please contact michael.pratt@aei.org or 202-862-5823.

AVAILABLE SCHOLARS:

POLITICAL/PUBLIC OPINION
Karlyn Bowman, AEI senior fellow and public opinion expert:

“For many voters, the campaign started last night.  The polls have been closing, and Romney’s strong performance last night should help him in the next four weeks. Was last night a game changer?  It’s too early to say, but Romney’s strong performance last night puts him back in the game in a significant way.”  

ECONOMICS
Alex Brill, AEI economist and former staff of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers:

“At the first debate President Obama accused Gov. Romney of both raising taxes $86 billion and of cutting taxes $500 billion and neither stand up to scrutiny. Tax reform, as Romney has outlined, is about simplification, fairness and economic efficiency and it should be debated on those grounds.” 

HEALTH POLICY
Jim Capretta, AEI visiting scholar and former associate director at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.

"Gov. Romney did two things last night that were very important in the health care debate.   He made it very clear that the president's cuts in Medicare will hurt seniors.  And he also made it clear that Obamacare will hurt the economy even as it was unnecessary to fix the problems in American health care."

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