First Presidential Debate Airs Tonight in Primetime

For political junkies, presidential debates are must-see TV. The stakes are high and Waukee will be watching.

Iowa is one of nine states pollsters say remain in play in the 2012 presidential election, but short of a defining gaffe or breakout line, it is likely to remain so after Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama square off in the first presidential debate tonight at 8 p.m..

The debate is being held at University of Denver in Colorado. Jim Lehrer of NewsHour on PBS will moderate the debate, focused on domestic policy.

What Waukee is Saying About the Debate

When it comes to Waukee, this debate is going to be one of the most-watched with voters looking for answers to some very specific questions.

"Of course I'll be watching the debate. Isn't everyone?," said David Leonard, a Democrat from Waukee. "I'll be watching from the comfort of my couch, and I'm hoping to hear some specifics on how each candidate plans to help the economy create more jobs."

"I expect (no hope of the contrary) to hear President Obama make more promises that he will not keep, just like he did four years ago," said Mike Elam, Dallas County Republican Party Chairman. "I also expect Governor Romney to continue to make the point that our economy will not be improved by the policies of more federal government take and spend. It's never worked in the history of the world, and it will not work for us."

Mazie Johnson, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says she's eager to see the first debate and expects it might be an eye opener for many undecided voters.

"It will be satisfying, to say the least, to watch Romney be exposed in his inadequacy and lack of competence for the presidency," she said. What an embarrassing night it will be for wealthy, white males."

Shane Blanchard, a Republican from Waukee said he's hoping the moderator poses hard-hitting questions for both candidates that will shed light on both their policy and personality.

"My hope is that Gov. Romney can show undecided voters why he's the better choice," said Blanchard. "I hope the moderator asks tough questions to both candidates. Romney is used to this where Obama is use to getting candy questions. It will separate the two. I look for Romney to be factual while Obama will be personable and likable. Hopefully America's can see through it this time, and support the candidate that will work towards getting this country back on track."

How the Debate is Expected to Play in Iowa

Iowa has about 621,000 registered Republicans and 603,000 registered Democrats. Debates are largely a showcase for people who have already made up their minds, presumably largely from within those ranks. The problem is, Iowa has more people registered voters with no party - 666,000 active - than either of the major ones, and many undecided voters don’t watch.

“Relatively few undecided voters actually watch the debates,” said Justin Whitely Holmes, an assistant professor of political science at University of Northern Iowa. “The audience is largely made up of partisans who are just watching to cheer their candidate on.”

Political observers say the biggest chance the debate has of shaping the election is if one of the candidates screws up (think John Kerry’s, “I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it”) or, conversely, one of them has a campaign-defining moment, such as Ronald Reagan’s, “There you go again” quip to Jimmy Carter.

“This debate is the most important of the series to be held,” said Steffen Schmidt, a professor of political science at Iowa State University. “Why? Because it's the acid test of how well Mitt Romney can hold up against Obama. Also, it’s the one where neither candidate can make a major visual or oral blooper.”

Still, those moments are rare.

Aside from trying not to make a blunder, the first debate will not be a cakewalk for Obama or Romney. They both have work to do.

The candidates will be trying to come across as confident, knowledgeable and, well, presidential. They each will get called on their white elephants of the day - Romney’s 47 percent comment and the notion that the Obama Administration “leads from behind” on key foreign affairs policy, national debt and jobs.

Obama will try to convince voters he has the country going in the right direction, and he deserves four more year. In this debate and others, Romney must show voters he has the better ideas when it comes to job creation and the economy, and he needs to come across as empathetic and likeable, Holmes said.

“Romney needs to do something to shake up the race. He has been trending downward in some recent polls and will need to reverse that,” Holmes said

As the challenger, the former Massachusetts governor is under more pressure, said University of Iowa associate professor of political science Tim Hagle. Republicans want to see him be more aggressive towards Obama.

For many casual voters, debate season is when they begin to pay attention to the election, so it could be a chance for both candidates to reset, particularly Romney.

“The debates may be the first time where people have the opportunity and inclination to tune in,” Hagle said. “Others would argue that people who watch are people who have made up their mind. In that sense, it's Romney who has more at stake. He has to prove himself.”