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What can Obama, Romney learn from past town hall debates?

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    Peter Johnson, Jr. weighs in

  • Duration 6:28
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For the back the pressure is on President Obama to redeem himself around two in the presidential debates against Mitt Romney so what can the candidates learn from past town hall style debates let's take a quick look back.

I can only tell you that I don't think senator bill was too old.

It's the then -- -- whose idea that a question -- only what's your philosophy and what your position on issues.

But can you get things done.

There's an energy bill on the floor of the senate loaded down with goodies billions for the oil companies and it was sponsored by.

Bush and Cheney.

You know who voted for it might never know.

That -- it's true there are some things I don't understand I don't understand how we ended up invading a country that had nothing to do -- 9/11.

Great moments are joining us more on this is Fox News legal analyst Peter Johnson junior nice to see you -- -- good to see this is going to be at Hofstra university in Long Island and.

Need to these have been going on these town hall debates since 1992.

And played well -- really the pride of American.

Politics is unique in the world that people the United States get the -- thirty.

To go 121 with the president or the presidential.

A challenger and ask their questions and we see almost as kindergarten teachers the people the public -- the audience.

How these other candidates socialized with each other how they respond -- To the voters and how they answer the questions in a way that show empathy sympathy.

Direction and add and edit quest for the the future there's a couple lessons that that need to be.

Understood how to approach.

A -- how to approach the people are asking these questions that Gallup who put together these undecided voters.

Let's look at Bill Clinton has got -- the master.

Of human communication.

You know people who lost their little -- their home and well I've been governor of a small state for twelve years I'll tell you how it's affected me.

Every year.

Congress and the president signed laws that makes make us do more things -- it's a -- -- to do with.

I see people in my state middle class people their taxes have gone up to Washington and their services have gone down.

While the wealthy have gotten tax cuts a lot of people Peter who thought that moment one in the election.

Yeah I think you're right in there it was generally regarded that he won that that particular debate.

And -- -- -- the particular.

Election obviously against.

That George Bush.

It's also important I think to use humor.

To show that -- that you're human that you it can relate.

To people it's a lesson to take a look at one clip.

-- -- George Bush used some humor.

Against standard care.

The president.

Got 84 dollars from a timber company that he owns -- he's counted as a small business Dick -- -- counted as a small business that's how they do things.

That's just not right.

-- timber company.

As news to make.

-- -- -- I don't that -- that I remember watching that and it was still I think.

There was so genuine write it ends and cellular and and so Senator Kerry was.

A stiff candidate right it's interesting that the polls at that time -- said that.

By a few points -- -- and Kerry won it but in in me watching it I think that's that's not true.

There's.

Authenticity that needs to come through.

Town halls as you were looking back over some of these clips from 1990 yeah -- Peter I mean is that what sort of stands out to you this need to connect to debate the audience it didn't used to.

-- connect with the audience but there is also when you look back at 2008 the debate between Senator McCain.

And then Senator Obama Senator Obama was cutting and slashing.

In his presentation there he said some very strong if not offensive things that the Senator McCain but he also said it with his back.

To Senator McCain.

And that was interesting tactic -- because it was -- draw -- on offensive threat is talking to the people are asking the questions.

But Hussein so most got awful things that he believed to be true about senator McCain's policies.

It was interesting time because of that debate to and there are critics who were saying it did Senator McCain would never even glanced over it then Senator Obama wasn't even giving him a glances right -- -- Across and there are some reference that he referred to send a bomber as of that one and it derisive way and there was a lot of with the mainstream media pressure about this we're used to Oprah.

-- used to Phil Donahue who we were used to audience sessions on the fox.

News channel it is the scene that -- -- is the essential now of any presidential candidate to have the capacity in the ability.

To relate to people.

So policy is important so -- in the future are important.

But do I have an ability to be friends with with the person that's asking that question.

Even though I don't her I agree with them you're gonna be at that they would need to be looking for -- -- -- looking for the ability to connect with the audience and I'm gonna be looking for.

As the center -- now President Obama.

Responding so wait it was more aggressive.

Biden came in to set the bar high if high for him senator Daniel Patrick -- and in the late senator from New York talked about defining deviancy down.

If we get used to a certain type of conduct.

Then other conduct is not as objectionable.

Obama is going to be tough Romney has to be tough and strong but at the same time he has to make people understand.

That yes and the multi millionaire but yes I solved but I feel your pain connect to get him -- Clinton had this feeling your pain but it's more than feeling your pain.

More than feel your pain I have a solution.

For your paying so just don't get liberal minds about.

Empathy I'm gonna give you some solutions for the future that's what they both need to focus.

Which are ready with Peter who will be at the debate thanks so much for take a look back on these store tomorrow -- look at the town hall performance.

Four years go by pres Obama to see what promises he made what -- Z he kept.

I'll be at the debate on Tuesday and then we'll be covering the all important Al Smith dinner where the president and governor Romney.

Come here to New York with cardinal Dolan.

Tell jokes for charity.

But it's an important important.

The standoff between the two of them at the wall of the story absolutely Peter Johnson junior good to see was -- -- of bravery.