Bend man still undecided after first debate

The race for the White House turns to the undecided vote as the debates get under way. A lot of Americans aren’t glued to the TV 24 hours a day, keeping up with all the political news, so debates like these are important.

As President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney took the stage in Denver for their first debate Wednesday night, independent and undecided voter John Njenga of Bend was hoping to move a step closer in deciding who will get his vote.

Njenga says Mitt Romney had good ideas, but he felt he needed to hear more details about his plan.

“I don’t think that I want to pick my ballot and move to his side if I don’t know what he proposes,” Njenga said afterward.

During the debate, Romney hounded President Obama on his record over the last four years, something Njenga says could hurt the president.

“He pretty much said what he has done in the last four years,” said Njenga. “The last four years, I don’t think any American will ever forget.”

Coming out fired up, Njenga says Romney showed a side to voters that many may not have seen. He added that President Obama may have played it too safe.

“It’s almost like he didn’t want to talk too much. He just wanted to maintain things the way they are,” said Njenga.

As the debate wrapped up, some Central Oregon voters were left with a lot of thinking to do before the next debate. Njenga among them.

“I don’t think that I was swayed to pick either one of the presidential candidates,” said Njenga.

There are three more debates to go — next up, Vice President Joe Biden and challenger Paul Ryan next week.