PERSUASION IN DEBATES
The response effectively addresses and seeks to discredit earlier claims Romney on growing businesses. Obama is keen to prove that the business development strategies that Romney speaks of are a failure in the state of Massachusetts. The response also portrays Romney as an insincere person since he does not want to acknowledge that his strategies in supporting and developing small businesses in Massachusetts have failed yet he misleads the public that the same strategies will work when elected president.
“First of all, Governor Romney talks about small businesses. But, Governor, when you were in Massachusetts, small businesses development ranked about 48th, I think out of 50 states in Massachusetts, because the policies that you are promoting actually don`t help small businesses.”
 
Response
This clearly shows that Obama’s frustrations and his attempt to appeal to the public anger for politicians who just use words to win votes but have no clue or clear strategies to fulfill promises made. He appeals to the public views on military spending and government budgets which are sensitive issues to the public. Obama presents himself as a candidate who is aware of what ails the country and who indicates that increased military spending and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan cost the American economy too much money and Americans had lost friends and loved ones in the war. As such, Obama portrays military spending as a necessity but increased spending in the face of other priorities unnecessary. Public opinion views and the media have called for increased spending on tax rebates, health, education and job creation.
“But, what you can`t do is spend $2 trillion in additional military spending that the military is not asking for, $5 trillion on tax cuts. You say that you`re going to pay for it by closing loopholes and deductions, without naming what those loopholes and deductions are. And then somehow you`re also going to deal with the deficit that we`ve already got. The math simply doesn`t work.”
Pathos
“But to the issue of Iran, as long as I`m president of the ed States Iran will not get a nuclear weapon. I made that clear when I came into office. We then organized the strongest coalition and the strongest sanctions against Iran in history, and it is crippling their economy. Their currency has dropped 80 percent. Their oil production has plunged to the lowest level since they were fighting a war with Iraq 20 years ago. So their economy is in shambles.”
Obama cites the process his government has followed to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat. To back up the claim, he provides key figures that appeals to logic and common sense assuming that majority of Americans would desire a weakened state of Iran to address the nuclear threat of the so called rogue nation. His argument is based on the belief that a weaker foe of the US can allow the US space to prosper.
Logos
“And this is the reason why, working with Israel, we have created the strongest military and intelligence cooperation between our two countries in history. In fact, this week we`ll be carrying out the largest military exercise with Israel in history, this very week. But to the issue of Iran, as long as I`m president of the ed States Iran will not get a nuclear weapon. I made that clear when I came into office.”
On this issue, Obama highlights his achievements and track record in foreign policy and in particular relations with Israel. He notes that during his reign, he has strengthened military relationships with Israel, which is a key alley in stemming hostility towards the US in the acrimonious and volatile Middle East. The fact that Iran has in the past threatened America, it means that by president Obama weakening Iran, he is effectively making Americans feel safer.
Ethos