The three presidential debates exposed Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to an unprecedented number of viewers who got to see each candidate unfiltered and without the typical bias of ABC, CBS, NBC and The New York Times. As a result, viewers learned the reality of who and what Romney really is. They learned the same about Obama. Clearly Romney gained the most.

The results of Obama’s policies these past four years, while not totally void of positive gains, don’t stand up under close scrutiny — a fact that was highlighted time and again to any viewer with an open mind. And fact-checking subsequent to the rhetoric of the debates, with neither candidate being fully accurate, favors Romney nicely as well. Of particular note during the third debate was Obama’s incorrect characterization of Romney’s position on the bankruptcy issue regarding General Motors.

I believe that most voters are above the petty fray that is all too prevalent. For instance, most folks would agree that Romney was accurate when he reminded Obama that attacking him was not a foreign policy strategy. Romney was also correct when he pointed out that the general stature of the United States has diminished around the world under Obama’s watch and that we “can’t kill our way” out of the situation we are in.

Unlike Obama in 2008, Romney has proven that he has the credentials to lead this country. I will do my part to give him the chance. Please join me.

Al Phillips

Prineville