(CNN) -- A forceful Mitt Romney went toe-to-toe with President Barack Obama on the dominant issues for voters, challenging the Democrat's policies on the economy, taxes and health care in the first of three debates ahead of the November election. In exchanges full of policy proposals, facts and figures, the Republican challenger was more aggressive in the 90-minute encounter in criticizing Obama's record and depicting the president's vision as one of big government. The president firmly defended his achievements and challenged his rival's prescriptions as unworkable. Neither candidate scored dramatic blows that will make future highlight reels, and neither veered from campaign themes and policies to date.
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NEW: Romney, Obama offer differing policies on taxes and the economy
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NEW: A quick CNN/ORC poll says debate watchers think Romney won
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The 90-minute debate is first of three for the presidential contenders
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Jim Lehrer of PBS moderates his 12th presidential debate
"I've got to tell you, Governor Romney, when it comes to his own party during the course of this campaign, has not displayed that willingness to say no to some of the more extreme parts of his party," @placeholder said in reference to his challenger's swing to the right during the primaries to appeal to the GOP's conservative base.
@placeholder opened the debate by promising his wife they wouldn't be celebrating their anniversary next year in front of 40 million people, and Romney joked that Obama found the most romantic place possible for the anniversary.