First Presidential Debate | Video

Jessica Roose | 10/3/2012

While the economy in North Dakota is doing much better than most of the country, North Dakotans still want to hear the presidential candidates discuss it and other topics like healthcare.

"Those are the major issues facing us in our country and I certainly think the presidential candidates should address them," said Bismarck resident John Olsrud.

"Business people in America, entrepreneurs, small business owners, they`re looking for that certainty in tax policy, that certainty in regulatory policy and I think tonight will be a chance for Romney to really showcase his business experience and how he would lead differently from Obama," said NDGOP Executive Director Anthony Reedy.

Reedy says back in the 2008 debates President Obama made promises he didn`t hold up to and he hopes that tonight they`ll discuss some of those issues.

"That`s a pretty typical game from that side of the aisle. Where we forget what the reality was that the president was left with and like to point fingers. The reality of it is that you know this country was left in kind of a mess and handed over to the president. Yes of course theres a lot that needs to be done but in four years you can`t expect miracles," said ND Dem NPL Communications Director Rania Batrice.

She said she hopes Romney will focus his time clearly laying out his plans for the economy, education and job creation.

Both sides say voters should use debates as just one part of the puzzle when trying to figure out who they should vote for.

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