Tonight marks the first of three debates where Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama will each have their chance to make a distinct case to the American people, detailing their vision for the next four crucial years in our country’s history. With the constant barrage of campaign ads and sparring statements over the past year, the stakes are high – and the expectations are even higher.

Both candidates have been religiously preparing for these debates for months, fielding unending strings of tough questions and harsh accusations in practice sessions. Obama and Romney will need to be direct, honing in on their shared tendency to ramble in their answers. They’ve practiced this format repeatedly, but as past presidential debates have shown, a blindside question or an easy misstep can lead to a devastating performance.

It may have taken him two campaigns, but when Romney takes the stage in Denver tonight, he will complete his long-sought goal to share the stage with President Obama. He’s no stranger to the debate stage, having meticulously picked off his former rivals in the many Republican primary debates earlier this year. There is no doubt that his experience during the primaries gives him a slight advantage against a president who carries the responsibility of having to govern in addition to campaigning.

But Romney must overcome several daunting obstacles if he hopes to have a shot of convincing swing voters he is the best choice to take over the presidency in November.

Most importantly, Romney must offer specifics on his plan to fix the economy. Both he and his campaign have been strangely vague about how they expect to spur staggering economic growth. Romney has proposed a tax plan that reduces the deficit by lowering income tax rates on all brackets and eliminating certain deductions and loopholes for high-income earners. Economists have called on the campaign to release specifics about how their plan would work, but no one seems to have any answers.

In a clear showing of just how desperate the campaign is to not talk specifics, when Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan was asked to detail Romney’s economic plan during an interview on Fox News Sunday this week, Ryan brushed off the question, saying, “It would take me too long to go through all of the math.”

The other mountain Romney must conquer tonight seems simple but has proven perpetually difficult for the super-wealthy businessman – he must be human. Romney has failed to genuinely connect with voters on a personal level, a quality Obama overwhelmingly enjoys. A recent poll by Reuters/Ipsos found Obama’s likeability rating sits at around 54 percent, compared to Romney’s rating at just 24 percent among voters.

President Obama also has a significant burden placed on him. As the incumbent, Obama doesn’t enjoy the same atmosphere of hope and change that his campaign capitalized on in the last election. He must answer tough attacks on mishaps and errors made during his first term in office and convincingly assure voters he will work harder to keep his campaign promises if re-elected.

Obama’s most important issue will be his administration’s response to the economic crisis that has come to define many elements of his presidency. In a precise manner, he must make the case that recovery is happening, and the country’s economic outlook is promising. With voters overwhelmingly united in their claim that the economy is the top issue for them in this election, you can bet Obama will be championing how his plan and policies saved an economy in free-fall.

The president must also be sure to present himself to the American people as the humble, yet exceedingly capable, leader of the free world. His infamous jabs and smug attitude in debates with Hillary Clinton caused him some political damage in the 2008 election. Obama must be calm, collected and methodical in his answers, not allowing a zinger from Romney to throw off his momentum.

The debates will provide a unique opportunity to see two very different proposals for America’s future. As the election reaches its fever pitch, both campaigns are going into overdrive. Daily poll numbers continue to favor Obama, but he must be focused on staying the course and above the fray, allowing Romney’s campaign to continue to write it’s own obituary.

Austin Gaddis is a senior majoring in communication studies and public relations. His column runs on Wednesdays.