With tens of millions tuning in, Obama will be under pressure to do far better than his lackluster performance that evening, and experts say the format — more intimate and informal — could help the president shine if he uses his people skills to his advantage.
Romney has been criticized for appearing stiff on the campaign trail and in TV interviews. His serious persona may have helped him in the first debate but he’ll need to re-calibrate for the intimate encounters that await him Tuesday.
Bill Clinton set the high bar for such town hall engagement in 1992, when he walked toward the audience and locked eyes with his questioners, and this year’s candidates are also expected to walk around with the microphones and interact with voters.
But there are pitfalls. In the same town hall with Clinton, president George H.W. Bush stood up and looked at his watch while his rival spoke, suggesting he would rather be somewhere else.
And in 2000, vice president Al Gore unexpectedly stepped into George W. Bush’s personal space as Bush was talking, a move that did not play well as it was seen by some as intimidation.
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