WASHINGTON —
Barack Obama is cruising into the presidential debates with momentum on his side, yet he’s still struggling to revive the passion and excitement that propelled him to the White House. Mitt Romney is grasping for his last, best chance to reboot his campaign after a disastrous September.
The fierce and determined competitors in the tight race have a specific mission for the three debates, the first of which is Wednesday night in Denver.
Obama, no longer the fresh face of 2008, must convince skeptical Americans that he can accomplish in a second term what he couldn’t in his first, restoring the economy to full health.
Romney, anxious to keep the race from slipping away, needs to instill confidence that he is a credible and trusted alternative to the president, with a better plan for strengthening the economy.
“The burden in many ways is heavier on Romney,” says Wayne Fields, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis who specializes in political rhetoric. “What we see right now is an uncertainty about whether he’s ready for the job.”
For all the hundreds of campaign appearances, thousands of political ads and billions of dollars invested in the race, this is a singular moment in the contest. Upward of 50 million people are expected to watch each of the debate.
Top News
High debate stakes: Romney looks to gain momentum
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- Dozens of dogs being seized from home in South Hunt County
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Rains not helping Lake Tawakoni
The middle of June has been a wet one for Greenville and Hunt County.
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Bids sought for sidewalk project
The City of Greenville is seeking bids from contractors interested in building miles of new sidewalks in the city.
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Online city auction starting today
The City of Greenville is selling off dozens of items of used vehicles and equipment, in an online auction scheduled to start today.
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Haggard concert set this week
Country music fans have a chance this week to catch a legend performing live at Greenville Municipal Auditorium (GMA).
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Juneteenth celebration scheduled
A Juneteenth observance is scheduled Saturday in Greenville.
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Parades, picnic, fireworks set for July 4
Greenville will be celebrating Independence Day with parades, a picnic, music and fireworks.
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McKenzie: ‘Fee waivers hurt department’
Dozens of supervision fees waved by Judge Steve Tittle will cost the probation department hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue and affect the department’s ability to supervise probationers, according to Hunt County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (HCCSCD) Director Jim McKenzie.
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Developers talking purchase of city water
Developers behind a major residential community project planned for southern Hunt County are scheduled to meet next week.
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