EXPERTS WEIGH IN
Presidential candidates debate in Colorado
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The candidates are going head to head tonight. About 50 million people are expected to tune into the first presidential debate being held in Denver, Colorado.
It's still an incredibly close race according to national polls.
Experts like John Tuman, chair of the Political Science Department at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, say tonight will be especially important for Republicans.
"I think this is an important debate more for Romney than it is for Obama," says Tuman.
Tuman says Romney needs to show he's a likeable guy. Meanwhile, Obama must layout a clear path for the nation's economy.
Nevada is no doubt going to help determine the outcome of the presidential election as a key swing state. It's no surprise both camps focused their efforts in Southern Nevada this week.
President Obama spent three and a half days at Lake Las Vegas getting ready for the debate.
Romney sent his wife, Ann, to court female voters on Monday. Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio rallied the local Latino vote yesterday.
Tuman says he expects Romney will face hard questions regarding the '47 percent' video and says, "I think those publicized comments didn't help [Romney]".
But, Obama faces disillusioned Nevada voters still angry at too slow of an economic recovery. Nevada still suffers from a +12 percent unemployment -- the highest in the nation -- and a bleak housing market hampered with widespread foreclosures.
Still, Tuman tells Action News he thinks if women, Latinos, and union workers turn out to the polls in large numbers, the Silver State may turn blue in November.
The debate will air live on Action News and KTNV.com at 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
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