Question number one

First question in last night’s debate. Jeremy Epstein asks:

EPSTEIN: “What can you say to reassure me, but more importantly my parents, that I will be able to sufficiently support myself after I graduate?”

ROMNEY: “We have to make sure that we make it easier for kids to afford college.”

That helps pay off the student loan, but what about the job part?

ROMNEY: “I know what it takes to create good jobs again. I know what it takes to make sure that you have the kind of opportunity you deserve.”

So — Romney’s answer: Trust me, I’m a businessman.

Mr. Obama?

OBAMA: “Change our tax code so we’re giving incentives to companies that are investing here in the United States.”

Maybe another stimulus:

OBAMA: “Let’s take the money that we’ve been spending on war over the

last decade to rebuild America, roads, bridges schools.”

But when will that kick in? Jeremy graduates in 2014. Candy presses the candidates:

CANDY: “What about those long term unemployed who need a job right now?”

And that’s when Romney said:

ROMNEY: “That’s why I put out a five-point plan that gets America 12

million new jobs in four years and rising take-home pay.”

To which the president said:

“Governor Romney doesn’t have a five-point plan.”

But even if he does: Two forecasting firms are predicting that the economy will create 12 million jobs by 2016, no matter who is president.

That’s why the race is tied– it’s Romney’s mysterious budget numbers…

ROMNEY: “Of course they add up!”

…versus Obama’s unimpressive jobs numbers.

Or maybe — it’s a growing suspicion the economy is going to do what it’s going to do, and all we’re really debating is who gets to watch from the White House.