The Spectrum grades the debates

As a part of The Spectrum’s election coverage, four editors – Managing Editor Rebecca Bratek, Editorial Editor Ashley Steves, Senior Photo Editor Alexa Strudler and Senior Sports Editor Nathaniel Smith – have graded each of the Presidential Debates. We scored each candidate in five categories: aggressiveness, substance of points made, how each portrayed himself as a leader, overall likability and how well each engaged their audience during the debates. We averaged our scores and determined a victor.

Debate one totals

Aggressiveness: O –2, R – 4.75

Substance: O – 3, R – 3.5

Leadership: O – 1.5, R – 3.5

Likability: O – 2.5, R – 3.5

Engagement: O – 1.75, R – 3.75

Obama – 10.75

Romney – 19

Debate two totals

Aggressiveness: O – 4, R – 3

Substance: O – 3.25, R – 3

Leadership: O – 3.75, R – 3

Likability: O – 3.5, R – 3

Engagement: O – 4, R – 3.5

Obama – 18.5

Romney – 15.5

Debate three totals

Aggressiveness: O – 4.5, R – 4

Substance: O – 3, R – 2.5

Leadership: O – 4, R – 2.5

Likability: O – 3, R – 3

Engagement: O – 3.75, R – 2.75

Obama – 18.25

Romney – 14.75

Finals

Romney – 16.4

Obama – 15.8