First Presidential Debate - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

First Presidential Debate

In a presidential race filled with back and forth verbal sparring--the first chance for Governor Romney and President Obama to square off face to face is tonight in the first of three presidential debates.

But will it help voters decide-- or does the debate even matter?

Jon Schaeffer gets some thoughts from local residents.

Over the next month three debates between President Barack Obama and his challenger Mitt Romney will hit televisions around the country--showing voters what each has to offer.

(Anthony Reedy/Exec. Dir. ND Republican Party) "I think the debates provide an opportunity for the voters to hear a good interaction between the two candidates. Debates are one portion of the greater campaign strategy ya know there are a lot of different ways that campaigns reach out to voters."

And tonight will be the first debate-- as both will answer questions on the economy and domestic policy issues.

(Andy Zabel/ EXEC Dir. ND NPL) "Its the first chance here where the country is going to see these two candidates side by side they're going to bring forth their ideas clearly its been a contested campaign up to this point but it really gives everyone a chance. They sit there and answer the same questions and I think that's what everyone wants to hear right now is what they're going to do for the economy for the American people moving forward.":17

The problem for candidates may not be if they can get their point across to viewers--but if many voters will even tune in to watch tonight's debate.

Do you plan to watch tonight's debate? I don't think That I will be able to because I have another commitment but I may tape it because I am interested in seeing how the two candidate perform.

Do you plan on watching the presidential debates tonight? Not Tonight no I don't. Why is that? Politics just aren't really my thing.

But some people say they hope to catch highlights of the event and find out a little more about their candidates.

"I just hope I get to see kind of the true character of both candidates and some of the foul-play die down. I don't really like that with politics it'd be interesting to shed more light on the candidates."

What do you hope to gain from the debate tonight? Just a little more insight into Mitt Romney and his platform."

Tonight in Denver voters could see fireworks as both Romney and Obama square off-- and like some voters said maybe see a little more into the person behind the politician.

The Debate is being held at the University of Denver. It will begin at 8 p.m. central time.