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October 16, 2012: Second Presidential Debate

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Obama wins on time, Romney wins on word count

updated 1:00 PM EDT, Thu October 18, 2012

When Tuesday evening's showdown between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney concluded, the CNN debate clock showed the president spoke for 3 minutes and 14 seconds longer than his Republican rival.

The totals: 44 minutes, 4 seconds for Obama; and 40 minutes, 50 seconds for Romney.

But in number of words, it was Romney who came out ahead. He spoke 7,984 words - 478 words ahead of Obama, who spoke 7,506 words.

FULL STORY
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Candidate Side by Side

Barack Obama
44th President of the United States
Barack Obama
Campaign Finance
Total Raised, year to date:
$715,677,692.00
Total Spent:
$683,546,548.00
Cash on Hand:
$5,397,399.00
Debt:
$7,223,153.00
0
$100m
$250m
$500m

As of November 2012

Ad Spending
$325.1 Million
As of November 06, 2012
Top 5 States:
  • 1. Florida, $67.8 Million
  • 2. Ohio, $55.3 Million
  • 3. District of Columbia, $27.6 Million
  • 4. Colorado, $25.9 Million
  • 5. Nevada, $21.8 Million

Twitter@BarackObama
Tell your senators: The time for comprehensive #ImmigrationReform that fuels innovation is now. http://t.co/FYydM6yaCF #iMarch
Posted at 6:13 pm ET on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
Don't miss @JonCarsonOFA's #iMarch town hall, starting now. Tweet him your questions about how #OFA is fighting for #ImmigrationReform.
Posted at 10:59 am ET on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
FACT: Immigrants start over 25% of all businesses in 7 out of the 8 fastest-growing sectors of our economy. (via @renewoureconomy) #iMarch
Posted at 10:22 am ET on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
FACT: Over 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by an immigrant or child of an immigrant. (via @MarchforInnov) #iMarch
Posted at 6:33 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
If you're in for the #iMarch for #ImmigrationReform, tweet your senators now and tell them to get it done: http://t.co/ygY39KzWxG
Posted at 4:35 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
FACT: Immigrant-owned businesses generated $775 billion in revenue for the economy in 2011. (via @renewoureconomy) #iMarch
Posted at 2:07 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Last night, Democrats and Republicans came together to send an #ImmigrationReform bill to the Senate floor. Time to finish the job. #iMarch
Posted at 1:09 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Tell Congress we need smart #immigration reform to attract & keep talent in the US. Add your voice here: http://t.co/KTfqiVfhKS #iMarch
Posted at 12:07 pm ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
How can you help pass comprehensive #ImmigrationReform? Join the #iMarch and tweet your senators today: http://t.co/f0rHTafrKt
Posted at 10:11 am ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
There's a huge virtual march for #ImmigrationReform today. Tweet the Senate to be a part of it: http://t.co/GebfvubYKD #MarchForInnovation
Posted at 9:08 am ET on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Tell Congress to seize this moment and get comprehensive #ImmigrationReform passed. Join us this week: http://t.co/oYYwv3yJOk
Posted at 10:36 pm ET on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Join the @MarchforInnov to let Congress know that you support #ImmigrationReform to fuel American innovation: http://t.co/oYYwv3yJOk
Posted at 5:17 pm ET on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Tell Congress to act now to fix our #immigration system. Sign up for the @MarchforInnov this week: http://t.co/oYYwv3yJOk
Posted at 2:12 pm ET on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Help the families devastated by tornadoes in Oklahoma this morning by supporting the efforts of the @RedCross: http://t.co/wdcefcRh7I
Posted at 10:49 am ET on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
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Obama Online
Mitt Romney
Former Governor of Massachusetts
Mitt Romney
Campaign Finance
Total Raised, year to date:
$446,135,997.00
Total Spent:
$433,281,516.00
Cash on Hand:
$12,921,629.00
Debt:
$1,200,000.00
0
$100m
$250m
$500m

As of November 2012

Ad Spending
$141.8 Million
As of November 06, 2012
Top 5 States:
  • 1. Florida, $33.7 Million
  • 2. Ohio, $25.9 Million
  • 3. District of Columbia, $14.3 Million
  • 4. Colorado, $13.5 Million
  • 5. North Carolina, $12.3 Million

Twitter@MittRomney
Praying for those affected by today's tornadoes. Please consider contributing to the @redcross http://t.co/9foe6RmjTK #PrayForOklahoma
Posted at 7:13 pm ET on Monday, May 20th, 2013
.@anndromney and I had a great time on the #TonightShow. Thanks @jayleno for the lift home! http://t.co/GK5YWleV2J
Posted at 8:43 pm ET on Friday, May 17th, 2013
Happy Mother's Day to @AnnDRomney, whose profession is the most important, demanding and rewarding I know. http://t.co/0fMMhFuo6E
Posted at 9:27 am ET on Sunday, May 12th, 2013
Enjoyed speaking to the @SVUedu class of 2013. Wish them luck as they jump into the deep waters of life. http://t.co/UJD3wKEiFg
Posted at 11:31 am ET on Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Our hearts are heavy with the news out of Boston today. #PrayforBoston
Posted at 4:36 pm ET on Monday, April 15th, 2013
Congrats to President Bush and @laurawbush on the arrival of their first grandchild. A good start!
Posted at 9:39 am ET on Monday, April 15th, 2013
History will enshrine Margaret Thatcher as a transformational leader http://t.co/XHTVHRQnqE
Posted at 1:45 pm ET on Monday, April 8th, 2013
Great season #hottytoddy RT @DGJackson Tough loss tonight. Still proud of my Ole Miss Rebels.
Posted at 11:10 pm ET on Sunday, March 24th, 2013
Celebrating 44 years with my sweetheart today. Happy anniversary, @AnnDRomney http://t.co/ZerdlIRrDH
Posted at 3:42 pm ET on Thursday, March 21st, 2013
Our nation is still full of aspirations and hungry for new solutions. We’re a nation of invention and of optimism http://t.co/l9wsXm8Iwp
Posted at 1:49 pm ET on Friday, March 15th, 2013
RT @AnnDRomney Lucky me, with Craig and Mary's new twins born today, I become grandmother to 20! http://t.co/ue8ELptm
Posted at 7:22 pm ET on Thursday, February 14th, 2013
From the bottom of our hearts, Ann and I thank you for your support, prayers, efforts, & vote. We are forever grateful to every one of you.
Posted at 2:37 pm ET on Saturday, November 10th, 2012
With your help, we will turn our country around and get America back on the path to prosperity. Please vote today http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 5:55 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
It’s time to turn the page on the last four years. Get your friends and family and go vote: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 4:53 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
We can’t afford four more years like the last. Vote today to ensure that the future will be better than the past http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 3:52 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
I am asking for your vote because I want to keep America the hope of the earth. Find out where to vote: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 2:57 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Together we can bring real change to this country. Help get out the vote: http://t.co/hXWMP4Mt
Posted at 1:47 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
.@PaulRyanVP and I are offering real reforms for a real recovery. Help us deliver it – get out and vote today http://t.co/uYh0QcDS
Posted at 12:38 pm ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
This is it. Make sure you vote today. Find your polling location: http://t.co/uYh0QcDS http://t.co/azS2chbB
Posted at 11:11 am ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
A brighter future is out there waiting for us. Let’s choose it today. http://t.co/D0TsMzjB
Posted at 9:21 am ET on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
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Romney Online