Quips, Criticisms: Readers Weigh in on Debate

[Updated, 3 p.m. Oct. 17] Jobs, Libya and the Middle Class were the cardinal subjects, with a generous dosage of anxious pacing and thinly-veiled indignation blended in, too.

President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney squared off Tuesday night at Hofstra University for their second debate of the election season, this time housed in a town hall format.

A panel of undecided voters asked questions that addressed energy, gun control and education.

Readers from Westchester, Putnam and Rockland sounded off live on Patch as Obama and Romney sparred—residents shared their opinions, and relevant personal stories.

Patch readers from Long Island and New York City were able to jump in, as well, along with Twitter users from across the country.

For a glance at the night's top contributions, browse the above gallery. And if you have something to add—be it on ambassador Chris Stevens, the 47-percent or moderator Candy Crowley—leave a comment below.

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Local opinions

Patch touched base with several local folks and asked this question: "Who won? Which response by that person gave him the edge? And which of the other candidate's responses played into his loss?" 

Here's what they said ():

• "Of course I'm biased, but I was glad to see the president display his strength, knowledge, and compassion. Had he done so in the first debate things would be a lot different. Gov. Romney's reference to 'binders of women' sounded dehumanizing, his Libya attack backfired, and he left himself open at the end to the attack on the '47 percent,'" — Victor Grossman, Putnam County Democratic Committee chairman

• "The challenger, Mitt Romney, clearly was the victor tonight. The president improved his game, however, his poor performance the last four years will make it difficult for voters to trust him to drag our nation out of some of the worst economic times we have ever endured.A significant turning point in the debate was when Romney forced the president to be truthful about opportunities for drilling on federal land to being reduced increasing our dependency on foreign oil.
  The president said our oil imports are lower today then when he took office. When the price of fuel skyrockets from less then $2.00 per gallon to over $4 per gallon people's cars gave a tendency to stay in the garage," — Jim DiBella, Putnam County Republican chairman

• "While Obama needed to and did come out much stronger than the last debate, I think Romney clearly won. Romney's strongest moment was when he laid out of all of Obama's promises and how he failed to accomplish them. Throughout the debate, Romney clearly stated his plans and Obama simply restated the same anti-Romney talking points that were already proven to be untrue after the fact-checking of the last debate. Obama had almost 10 percent more talk time than Romney, yet he complained many times about not having enough time. I found him very pushy and the facts weren't on his side. His refusal to answer direct questions from Romney, specifically about drilling permits and Benghazi I felt were very telling. I also think the moderator should have kept her opinions to herself," Eric Cyprus, Putnam County Republican vice chair

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Further reading

WATCH: Police Usher Green Candidate Jill Stein From Debate Site

Open Post: Live Chat the VP Debate

Patch Is Collecting Questions for Obama and Romney During the Next Presidential Debate

Live Blog Recap: Presidential Debate Insider Chat

Debate Divides New City Bar

FLASH POLL: Who Won? Insiders Pick Romney

Editor's note: Some minor grammatical and style changes have been made to comments. No content was changed.