Multiple Views: Wis. voters and the debate

WLUK TV

Updated: Oct 16, 2012 5:20 PM

GREEN BAY — Town halls are supposed to be about the people. Voters getting a chance to grill the candidates.

"It has a sense of almost more realism to it because the idea here is, 'I could have asked that type of question,’” said Scott Furlong, UW-Green Bay political analyst.

So what would voters in Green Bay ask if a town hall were held right here?

"If the government doesn't create jobs, then in your mind, what does create jobs, and what would you do to help that process to create them?” asked Troy Smeester.

"I want to ask Obama why he won't come out and say that Obamacare is a tax,” said John Colwell.

“What they're going to do for real economic growth for real people,” said Connie Gardner.

"The budget, and what they're actually going to do,” said Zack Strehlow.

"I just want to know more about how they're going to balance the budget. They don't give details on that and it's pretty important,” said Erin Wickman.

Political analysts say candidates try to make a more emotional connection with viewers during town halls than in traditional debates.

However, President Obama and Mr. Romney most likely won't be any more detailed in answering questions.

"They have to stay on their talking points. And they will stay on their talking points. They will respond to the questions, they may not get to the specifics,” said Furlong.

With three weeks to go, voters say the candidates have less and less time to get their specific message across before the ballots are cast.

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