Romney: Debates are about ‘something bigger’ than who wins or who loses

As both candidates gear up for their first debate, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney says that while he’s excited about the upcoming debates, they are not merely to determine who would win and who would lose, but instead it would give each candidate a chance to explain the pathway their presidency would chose for the next four years.

After arriving in Colorado Monday night, Romney told thousands of supporters that lots of people would be taking sides and would be interested in knowing which candidate wins, but the purpose of the debates go beyond that.

"Now you know that you're going to get some visitors this week," Romney said. "The president will be here. I'll be here. We're going to have a debate, and there's a lot of interest surrounding the debate. And people want to know who's going to win, who's going to score the punches and who's going to make the biggest difference in the arguments they make."

"And there's going to be all the scoring of winning and losing, and you know, in my view, it's not so much winning and losing or even the people themselves - the president and myself - it's about something bigger than that," Romney said.

In his final public rally before the first presidential debate, Romney said the debates will allow the Americans to listen to what each side has to say and which path each will choose for the country.

"The American people are going to have to make the choice as to what kind of America they want," he said. "And so, I look forward to these debates. I'm delighted that we're going to have three debates. It'll be conversation with the American people that will span almost an entire month. We'll get to describe our respective views, and I believe the people of Colorado will choose a better way forward for our country. We can't afford four more years like the last four years."

Romney spent Sunday and the morning of the next day making debate preparations. While Romney will be focusing solely on the debates from now on, his wife, Ann, is expected to hold a rally on his behalf in Denver on Tuesday.

President Obama is attending his debate camp in Henderson, Nevada, in an attempt to make himself fully equipped to face all the attacks from his rival.