WashingtonTwitter prepares for presidential debateRound 1: Obama vs. Romney, as told by TwitterBy Aaron HutchinsShareCopy LinkEmailFacebookXLinkedInWhatsAppRedditBlueskyThreadsOctober 3, 2012[<a href=”http://storify.com/MacleansMag/twitter-prepares-for-u-s-presidential-debate” target=”_blank”>View the story “Twitter prepares for U.S. presidential debate” on Storify</a>]<br /> <h1>Twitter prepares for U.S. presidential debate</h1> <h2></h2> <p>Storified by Maclean’s Magazine &middot; Wed, Oct 03 2012 04:23:36</p> <div>Tonight marks the first U.S. presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Two national polls released this week from Washington Post/ABC and Politico/George Washington University suggest the race is tighter than many initially thought.</div> <div>New @ABC/@WashingtonPost Poll: Obama – 49% / Romney – 47% #ABCWorldNewsABC World News</div> <div>As we begin the last full month of the presidential race, two national polls show it neck and neck – 49-47.Gregg Nunziata</div> <div>Even in key battlegrounds, the lead is not insurmountable for Romney.</div> <div>PPP on Ohio: Obama 49, Romney 45: http://politi.co/SwuF0nPOLITICO</div> <div>This makes the opening debates that much more important. And, of course, both parties are trying to rally the troops to support their candidate.</div> <div>Get Barack’s back in tomorrow night’s debate—join a watch party in your neighborhood: http://OFA.BO/akC9rWMichelle Obama</div> <div>Mitt Romney announces support of ex-Broncos QB John Elway. First debate is in DenverOn Politics</div> <div>In preparation for the the first debate of three, The New York Times reported that Romney’s team has been working on “zingers” or one-liners to create memorable sound bites. Upon learning this news, some jumped on board to help give Romney some tips.</div> <div>A zinger for Romney to say to Obama on Wed: In 2008 you ran on &quot;Yes We Can&quot;, in 2012 you’re running on &quot;Well, nobody could have&quot; #hashoutLiddy Huntsman</div> <div>If Obama mentions Mitt’s tax returns in tomorrow’s debate then Mitt should immediately ask for Obama’s college records &amp; applicationsDonald J. Trump</div> <div>Though some zingers were more sarcastic.</div> <div>A priest &amp; a rabbi go into a bar. It is a homosexual bar. They fall in love &amp; get married. Because of Barack Obama. Zing! #TheDailyShowMindy Benson</div> <div>I do look forward to Mitt Romney’s well-rehearsed debate zinger that goes, &quot;More like BaBLACK Obama, am I right?&quot;Bruce Arthur</div> <div>And even more jokesters took to Twitter to tease how Romney needs to polish his spontaneous comebacks.</div> <div>The best will be when Romney asks the moderator if he can deliver a zinger.Gerry Duggan</div> <div>Note to Mitt: now that you’ve leaked your zinger plan, don’t compound it by using &quot;zinger&quot; to set up your zinger.Arianna Huffington</div> <div>Mitt Romney yelling &quot;Boom!&quot; after each debate zinger will also serve as an explanation of his foreign policy regarding Iran.Indecision</div> <div>Hi @BarackObama. Romney is preparing &quot;zingers&quot; for the debate. I’m offering you a 10-pack of my &quot;guaranteed comebacks&quot; for $300.Todd Barry</div> <div>Like most debates, this one could be a game-changer, as ABC reports as many as 50 million people could watch. Another first for this year is both YouTube and XBOX Live plan to stream the debates live online.</div> <div>LIVE TONIGHT AT 9PM ET: Obama &amp; Romney square off at the first presidential #debate from Denver http://goo.gl/EUjcRYouTube</div> <div>Whatever the result of the opening debate, Twitter will be sure to have more zingers to come before election day: November 6.</div> <p> Tags:U.S. POLITICS 2012