October 14, 2012
On today’s Sunday shows, both presidential campaigns attempted to set expectations in advance of this week's debate; lawmakers and other partisans clashed over the administration’s response to the terrorist attack in Libya; and comedian Stephen Colbert stepped out of character. Also, see National Journal’s Political Landscape podcast.Campaigns Attempt to Set Debate ExpectationsWhile both presidential candidates prepare for Tuesday’s town hall-style debate, campaign surrogates tried to set expectations for the second matchup between President Obama and Mitt Romney.Presidential Campaigns Spar Over LibyaFollowing a vice presidential debate this week that concentrated heavily on foreign policy, the presidential campaigns clashed hard over the administration's response to the terrorist attack in Libya.Lawmakers Differ on Congressional Investigation Into LibyaAs Congress continues its investigation into the terrorist attack that left four Americans dead in Libya, Democratic lawmakers are accusing Republicans in the House of playing politics.Portman: Romney Could Win Without OhioAs Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaigned across Ohio, Sen. Rob Portman said, “He can probably win the presidency without Ohio, but I wouldn't want to take the risk. No Republican has.”Gillespie Defends Romney’s Abortion PoliciesThe Romney campaign is working to clarify the Republican nominee’s position on abortion after campaign officials offered differing positions this week.Gibbs: Obama Will Be ‘More Energetic’ in Next DebateDisappointed by his performance in the first presidential debate, President Obama will be more energetic in Tuesday’s matchup, said senior adviser Robert Gibbs.Stephen Colbert on Presidential PoliticsStephen Colbert, the popular host of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, stepped out of character to discuss the role of satire in the political process, how he creates his show and his feelings about the presidential race.Castellanos: Obama Campaign Has ‘Two Empty Holsters’Alex Castellanos, a Republican political analyst and consultant, said the Obama campaign has “two empty holsters” as President Obama faces Mitt Romney for the second presidential debate on Tuesday.Clashing Over Presidential Campaign Performance in FloridaAl Cardenas, the former chairman of the Republican Party in Florida, said President Obama may have a tough time in the Sunshine State. Not so, says Robert Wexler, a former Democratic congressman from Florida.Beau Biden: VP’s Laughter Not an IssueWhile Vice President Joe Biden’s laughter during the vice presidential debate has turned into a campaign issue thanks to Republican criticism—it even made a Romney ad released today—his son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, says the GOP fixation means that Biden clearly won.Podcast: Citizens United Levels Playing Field; Debates Don’t MatterHotline Executive Editor Josh Kraushaar and Columbia political science professor Robert Erikson were guests on this week's Political Landscape, National Journal’s weekly podcast. As we approach Election Day, it appears that the Citizens United Supreme Court decision has created financial parity, says Kraushaar. But is it the right kind of parity? And, as we move through debate season, Erikson says a decade of presidential polling shows that debates in total don't change much. Listen to the podcast.See all NJ’s Sunday show coverage | Get more NJ newsletters
