(Photo by C-SPAN)

THE ECONOMY:

Romney:

• He assured voters that he was not going to spend more: "I think it's [the deficit] a moral issue."
• He also vehemently rejected raising taxes to off-set the deficit: "The problem with raising taxes is that it slows down the rate of growth." When asked by Lehrer whether he believed in a plan that wouldn't raise revenue to address the deficit, Romney replied: "Absolutely."
• His solution to offset the costs of tax breaks: "I would eliminate all programs by this test: is the program so critical that it's worth borrowing money from China?" On Romney's cutting board: Obamacare and PBS. "I like Big Bird," he assured Jim despite telling the country that his deficit reduction plan would kill Sesame Street and NewsHour.

ALSO SEE: How Obama Embodies The Ideal Republican Candidate

Obama:

• Obama reminded voters that he didn't create the problem: "I had more than a trillion dollar deficit greeting me." He asserted that the War In Iraq, tax cuts, unpaid programs and a massive economic crisis did more to balloon the deficit than he did.
• He also asserted that he was in support of eliminating government programs to reduce the deficit. He said that he partnered with Congress to cut a trillion out of discretionary budget.
• "I've put forward a specific 4 trillion dollar deficit reduction plan...it's all online."
• He criticized Romney for believing the deficit could be reduced without increases in revenue. "If we're serious we have to take a balanced, responsible approach."

ALSO SEE: Presidential Debate Reactions On Social Media

THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT:

Romney:

• He argued that for the most part, government spending doesn't work. What Romney won't touch: the armed forces. "I do not believe in cutting the military."
• Federal government can play an important role in promoting education, but the primary caretakers are state and local governments. "I'm not going to cut education funding," he insisted.
• The right course for the role of the government is not to pick "winners and losers."

Obama:

• The genius of America is the free enterprise system.
• Federal government has a significant role in education, support which cannot be sustained by Romney's tax breaks. "This is where budgets matter, because budgets reflect choices." Important for education: getting kids through college without burdening their parents' wallet.

ALSO SEE: How Romney Embodies The Ideal Republican Candidate

BIPARTISANSHIP:

Romney:

• Romney said he would sit down with Republicans and Democrats "on day one" to talk about the important issues. "Republicans and Democrats both love America, but we need to have leadership that can bring people together."

Obama:

• "I will take ideas from everyone" as long as they benifit the middle class.
• He said that he's fought Republicans on the economic rescue package and health care because they were fights "we needed to have."

17,000 Tweets per minute for "Big Bird" and 10,000 Tweets per minute for "PBS". #debates

— Twitter Government (@gov) October 4, 2012