Who Won Obama Romney Debate: First Presidential Debate Analysis

President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney will face off on October 3rd for the first debate of the 2012 Election. Obama and Romney will debate on the campus of the University of Denver in Colorado at 9:00 PM EDT. 

The debate will focus on domestic policy and be divided into six segments of approximately 15 minutes each. Jim Lehrer of the NewsHour show on PBS is hosting, and announced the debate topics last month. The first three segments will focus on the economy. The last three segments will focus on "health care, the role of government, and governing."

The topics have been criticized by some, in particular a lack of focus on gun control has angered families of the victims of the Aurora, Colorado shooting. The families wrote a letter to Lehrer last month: 

"To ignore the problem of gun violence where two of the worst shootings in U.S. history took place — Aurora and Columbine — would not only be noticeable by its absence but would slight the memories of our loved ones killed," the letter read in part. 

Obama comes into this debate with the upper hand. He is leading in the polls in almost every important swing state, and is an eloquent and comfortable speaker. Romney, on the other hand, has been criticized for a series of mis-speaks recently, and his campaign is hoping that their pitiful poll numbers will turn around as a result of a stellar performance in the debate. Romney badly needs to perform well if he has any hopes of serving in the White House, and even a great debate performance may not be able to turn around the sinking ship that is his campaign.

PolicyMic will be covering the presidential debate live. For live updates bookmark and refresh this page.

UPDATES: 10:32 PM I think the Biden-Ryan will be a lot more interesting than Obama-Romney. 

10:14 PM Role of Government. This should be a fascinating discussion. MAJOR policy differences between Romney and Obama here. Obama must make the case that government can improve people's lives! 

10:00 PM @aurosan Big Bird is trending. Romney made a big mistake bringing it up, this is the talking point people will remember.

9:47 PM @traviscrayton THE question of the night. #WhereIsJim? #debates RT@johnburnsnc: Is Jim Lehrer even there?

9:44 PM Favorite tweet so far of the #debates. RT @nycsouthpaw I LOVE BIG BIRD. BUT I HAVE TO KILL HIM.

9:28 PM Rocky start for President Obama, but he's starting to get his footing with specifics. Should be interesting to see how the debate progresses. 

9:10 PM Liberal friend is concerned that Obama is not specific enough, and needs to speak in "strong, declarative, statements."

9:05 PM Loved Obama's reference to one of his greatest assets, Michelle Obama on their anniversary. Wish it wasn't a silent audience. 

9:02 PM Watching the debate with a hard-core liberal. He just comented that he is "nervous." He commented that I'm afraid that "Romney will go after Obama hard on Libya, and with this format he could crumble under the pressure." I hope Obama proves him wrong. 

9:00 PM The debate is about to begin!