Robert Reich, 10/17/12

Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley; Author, 'Beyond Outrage'

Tuesday night our president was articulate and forceful -- in sharp contrast to his performance in the first presidential debate. He stated his beliefs. He defended his record. He told America where he wanted to take the nation in his second term.

Doug Bandow, 10/17/12

Senior Fellow, the Cato Institute

While the two leading presidential candidates play to America's worst political demons, the U.S. public supports a more measured approach to China.

Wendy Fontaine, 10/17/12

Writer, Mother and Graduate Student

I was annoyed during most of last night's presidential debate, but when Mitt Romney insinuated that single-parent families are to blame for gun violence in America, my blood pressure shot through the roof.

Karen Dolan, 10/17/12

Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies

I want more than just a rope-a-dope and a knock-out punch. I want to hear the words: America is not broke, we just have our priorities wrong. Then, I will be able to cheer a victory as something that is a victory for all of us, not just for a candidate's campaign.

Rick Schwartz, 10/17/12

Film producer

Now that I'm segueing into my new career as a software titan/media mogul shameless self-promoter, I thought it would be nice to use my years of experience in the Hollywood trenches to give something back -- you know, to the kids just starting out.

Jeffrey C. Alexander, 10/17/12

Professor of Sociology and co-director of the Center for Cultural Sociology at Yale University

Dramatic plots turn on epiphanic moments of revelation. Republicans know how to lie with statistics, but they may find it difficult to resist a dramatic moment of moral truth last night.

Marlo Thomas, 10/16/12

Award-winning actress, author, and activist

Do you want to know how to lose ten pounds in a hurry? How about the best way to combat seasonal affective disorder? Would you like to know a great new way to strengthen your abs or a recipe for mashed potatoes that cuts the calories dramatically? Of course, you would!

Tom Gaulrapp, 10/16/12

33-year Sensata employee

On Monday, November 5th Bain Capital is outsourcing my job to China. On Tuesday, November 6th I'm casting my vote against Mitt Romney.

Aaron Zelinsky, 10/17/12

Editor, www.PresidentialDebateBlog.com

It's true, you really should watch the entire debate (or at least read the transcript), but for those of you who don't have the time, or want to re-live last night, here are the top ten lines from the 2012 Hofstra Presidential Debate.

SidneyAnne Stone, 10/16/12

Freelance Writer, Breast Cancer Survivor and Activist

Many of us are young, single and have our whole lives ahead of us -- dating, sex and love should not be off the table.

Duncan Quirk, 10/17/12

Centrist

Jeff Faux, 10/16/12

Founder and now Distinguished Fellow at the Economic Policy Institute

Walk into any Apple store today and you can see what's coming tomorrow. I don't mean the array of electronic gadgets laid out on the countertops; I mean the army of bright, ambitious, heavily indebted college graduates working for roughly $12 an hour.

Andrew Sharpless and Ted Danson, 10/16/12

With nine billion people projected to live on earth by 2050, we need everything on the table, including a healthy ocean full of fish.

Eugenia Chandris, 10/11/12

The town houses sit with their doors open, the inhabitants sitting quietly at their table the women usually in black, unfazed by the craziness on their doorstep. I still get a nod or a hug from the people I have known over the 43 years I've been visiting the island and I value that.

Vivian Diller, Ph.D., 10/16/12

Psychologist and author, 'Face It'

Some of you may not remember when menstruation was called "the curse." But it wasn't that long ago when it was considered a taboo topic, worthy of shame and embarrassment. Isn't it time to shift cultural attitudes about the second major transition in a woman's life?

Johann Hari, 10/16/12

British journalist

When you gaze at the square-jawed glisten of Mitt Romney, you do not immediately picture the kidnapping of a democratically elected president, nor the installation of a tyrant who slaughtered at least half a million people. Yet that is what this man has presented as a model for the future of US foreign policy.

Dominique de Villepin, 10/16/12

Fmr. Prime Minster of France

It's time for the United States to face the legacy of a half century of policies in the Middle East, the legacies of the Cold War as well as of the last decade's neoconservatism. Yes, mistakes have been made. Changes are needed, now. And they can be.

Jonathan Hewitt, 10/16/12

Author, 'Life Ki-do Parenting: Tools to Raise Happy, Confident Kids from the Inside Out'

"We knew who beat him up. We knew who locked him in a cupboard. We knew who had held his head under water in a sink. So why hadn't we told anyone?"

Mike Ragogna, 10/16/12

Radio Personality on Solar Powered KRUU-FM, Music Biz Vet

Presenting the U.S. premiere of the Neil Young with Crazy Horse video "Twisted Road," a song from the new album Psychedelic Pill.

Kevin A. Hansen, 10/16/12

Author of the bestselling Secret Regrets book series; founder of SecretRegrets.com

There are a lot of women harboring secret regrets in their marriage.

Pierre Ferrari, 10/16/12

President and CEO, Heifer International

Today Heifer International joins the FAO and others in observance of World Food Day. This year, the theme "Agricultural Cooperatives -- key to feeding the world" highlights the efforts of smallholder farmers who have united to end hunger.

Mike Lux, 10/16/12

Partner, Democracy Partners

It is obvious that his head has to be in the game tonight more than it was in the first debate. But the president has a fundamental choice he has to make going into tonight's debate and the entire three weeks left in this campaign.

Dean Baker, 10/15/12

Co-director, CEPR; author, 'The End of Loser Liberalism: Making Markets Progressive'

Reporters covering this election deserve nothing but contempt from the public. It is their job to highlight the issues that will matter to people's lives, not to help push the agenda of corporate America.

Carey Perloff, 10/16/12

Artistic Director, American Conservatory Theater

If the arts in San Francisco go under, there is far less incentive for startups and tech companies to relocate here. Let's not make the assumption that the success of the tech industry is unique and separate from the rest of the city.