Opinionline: Florida wary of both campaigns
Tampa Bay Times, editorial: "Americans heard two starkly different approaches to fixing the economy and cutting the federal deficit in the first presidential debate. President Obama offered the realistic approach of mixing spending cuts with new revenue. Republican nominee Mitt Romney stuck with the fantasy that everything can be made right with tax cuts and spending reductions. The first debate broke no new ground and had no clear winner, but it reaffirmed the clear differences between the candidates in a tight race with few undecided voters left."
Orlando Sentinel, editorial: "With Florida once again considered a must-win state in this year's presidential race, space policy is finally lifting off as an issue for the candidates. Romney's campaign issued a policy statement promising he'd make space a priority as president, but it included few details. Floridians, who have seen the state lose thousands of space jobs, should be hopeful but skeptical about the candidates' proposals. In 2008, Obama vowed to narrow the gap between the end of the shuttle and the next manned program. After he was elected, he canceled the next program and replaced it with another one that will probably widen the gap."
Jac Versteeg, for The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board: "Foremost is Obama's claim that Romney has called for a $5 trillion wealthy-skewed tax cut over 10 years that would balloon the deficit. Wrong, Romney says, because he would pay for the cuts by reforming the tax code. But where would Romney find the $5 trillion in deductions and loopholes? He hasn't said, because he can't."
The Miami Herald, editorial: "It's the moochers vs. the 1%, the patriots vs. the peaceniks, "real" Americans vs. "other" Americans. Unless our candidate wins, we're doomed. We don't buy it. This electoral season, the first presidential race since the Citizens United decision, has produced more divisive campaign ads than ever before, and the frustratingly weak economy has raised the anxiety level over the nation's future. Romney has been so vague on specifics that it's hard to know what he really believes. Obama still has to show exactly how he would change his approach to make a second term better than his first term. At this point, neither candidate has this election in the bag."
Lloyd Dunkelberger, Sarasota Herald-Tribune: "One of the reasons Florida has become much more competitive for Democrats in presidential races in recent years is because of the state's growing Hispanic population. A new poll, from a liberal immigration advocacy group, shows Latino voters could help (the president). Obama's support was boosted by his endorsement of the DREAM Act, which provides a pathway for some young Hispanics who are illegally in the country to obtain citizenship. Romney was hurt by his comments in favor of 'self-deportation' and his support for immigrations laws similar to what Arizona has passed."
The Daytona Beach News-Journal, editorial: "Regardless of how one feels about either man, this is now a changed race. Millions of Americans got their first extended look at Romney and he clearly made a favorable impression. With his performance Wednesday, (he) raised the stakes for the next presidential debate and for the upcoming vice-presidential battle between Vice President Biden and Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan. By all means, stay tuned."