Locals looking for answers in townhall debate

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Sixty-seven million people tuned in for the first presidential debate. In Tuesday’s town hall debate, voters will get a chance to question the candidates.

These questions could hit closer to home compared to what a journalist could ask, and people from this area said they will be watching closely.

In three weeks, the politicking will be over and the race will come to a close.

"Who do we really want to elect for our next president?" asked University of South Alabama student Rachel Doyle.

As President Obama and former Governor Romney square off in the second presidential debate, those tuning said they are taking note on how policies could affect them.

"Some of the choices the candidates make in becoming president will affect me, so that's why I take the initiative to watch the debates,” said USA freshman Jimmy Cole.

Tuesday’s town hall debate gives members of the public the chance to ask questions that affect them and local voters are waiting for the answers.

"Medicare and how our schooling is gonna be,” said USA Doyle.

Cole said, "I expect Obama to cover more on the healthcare plans. I expect the moderator to be more aggressive."

An important voting block for both candidates is women voters.

A recent USA Today-Gallup poll showed the two candidates are neck-in-neck among women. Organizations on both sides have launched major advertising blitzes to woo them.

"I believe we need our morals raised and secondly our economy is in terrible shape,” said one female voter.

"We need somebody that knows how to handle money,” said another female voter.

In Tuesday’s debate, the candidates will be asked questions that could catch them off guard, but they're being asked by average people, and their responses could have a big impact on this last lap of the race.

FOX10 will carry Tuesday’s debate beginning at 8 p.m.