Obama notes 20th wedding anniversary at debate

President Barack Obama says at the start of the first presidential debate that 20 years ago he "became the luckiest man on earth" when married his wife, first lady Michelle Obama.

Republican rival Mitt Romney congratulated the Obamas at the start of the debate, joking that, quote, "I'm sure it's the most romantic place you can imagine, here with me."

The Obamas are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary at the Denver debate. The first lady is in attendance.

Obama called the first lady "sweetie" and wished her a happy anniversary from the debate podium.

He says, a year from now, quote, "we will not be celebrating it in front of 40 million people."

'Romney would cut school funding'

President Barack Obama says Republican rival Mitt Romney favors cutting a fifth of the Education Department's budget while Romney is countering that Obama directed $90 billion to so-called "green jobs" - a sum, he says, that would hire 2 million teachers.

The two sparred Wednesday during their first presidential debate on what role government plays in Americans' lives.

Obama says there are challenges that only the federal government can solve. Romney says government should do only what is prescribed in the Constitution and challenges that only have federal solutions, such as national security.

Obama pointed to Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan, whose budget proposals make sharp cuts across the board. Romney retorted that Washington invested in new failed energy research.
 

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