2012 debates

[sharkman]

I'm watching a repeat of the debate, and Obama keeps looking like he is not enjoying himself while Romney is speaking, looking down and he's even got an occasional twitch on his upper right cheek. Romney, while waiting, keeps this polite smile on his face and shows no discomfort. The optics are bad for Obama, I'm really surprised his handlers didn't coach him in this area.

[msj]

Yeah, the Chris Matthews who said he felt a thrill running up his leg when Obama spoke.

You mean the Chris Matthews who said "...Ronald Reagan, I’ve been reading a lot about him, I’ve been working on a book about him, every time he came to the House chamber, you would feel a thrill up your spine. I do have physical reactions when people are talking about my country.”

And he also said this about people who like to bring up his thrill: “I’m an untraditional person but I have traditional values and I love the country and I said so[.] Perhaps I shouldn’t have said so because I’ve given a lot of jackasses the chance to talk about it. So, I hope you feel satisfied that you raised the most obvious question that is raised by every horse’s ass right winger that I ever bump into.”

[sharkman]

MSJ, I think you misunderstand me. I am not saying Matthews is a liberal, a democrat, a conservative or a socialist. I am simply saying he is an Obama fan. Do you disagree that he is an Obama fan? If so, why?

[msj]

MSJ, I think you misunderstand me. I am not saying Matthews is a liberal, a democrat, a conservative or a socialist. I am simply saying he is an Obama fan. Do you disagree that he is an Obama fan? If so, why?

Whether he is or not is not relevant.

I doubt that he makes a good barometer for anything political.

In fact I doubt he would make a good barometer for anything even if he was holding one up and accurately reading it out loud.

Thrill or no thrill.

[Bonam]

It was a good debate, both candidates spoke intelligently and politely. It gives me hope that despite the craziness in various parts of the American political parties, some level of sanity prevails. Romney, I thought, did well to try to dispel the positions that he's been portrayed as having, for example regarding the 5 trillion dollars in tax cuts. Based on what he said, it sounds like he's just not planning to cut taxes by that amount.

This will probably help Romney, as part of his lack of popularity is, I'm sure, that many people believe he will pursue what they see as "extreme" policies advocated by the far right of the Republican party, but he pretty clearly separated himself from such positions. How much this will help him will remain to be seen.

Obama also performed well and defended his policies and record adequately, but I don't feel like he did anything to win new voters over.

In short, my opinion is that Romney did much to dispel fears about himself, potentially winning over some undecided voters, while Obama merely held the line.

[BC_chick]

Although, expectations were set so low that I think that anything short of spontaneously combusting on stage would have been considered a good night for Willard.

:lol:

You have such a way with words.

[BC_chick]

James Carville said it best. He said it was almost like Obama didn't want to be there. Personally, I'm wondering if Obama even bothered to do any prep for the debate.

Michelle Obama appeared off to me too, maybe there were personal issues going on.

Either way, this is the first time I agree with you, Obama could've done better. He only mentioned Romney's flip-flops once. I was amazed, there was so much more to work with.

If Romney keeps this up he's going to be running as a Democrat on election day.

[bud]

I'm watching a repeat of the debate

ugh. why would you do that?

[Guest American Woman]

James Carville said it best. He said it was almost like Obama didn't want to be there. Personally, I'm wondering if Obama even bothered to do any prep for the debate.

Perhaps Obama didn't want to be there. With all that's going on in the world right now, perhaps he would have rather been concentrating on his duties as POTUS; perhaps that's where his mind was. Romney didn't have any such concerns.

[bleeding heart]

del

Edited October 4, 2012 by bleeding heart

[bleeding heart]

each of those guys should wear uniforms like nascar drivers do and the logos of all the corporations who give them millions should be pasted on their uniforms.

[bleeding heart]

Yeah, the Chris Matthews who said he felt a thrill running up his leg when Obama spoke.

Yeah, the same Chris Matthews who said of Bush:

“Women like a guy who’s president. Check it out. The women like this war. I think we like having a hero as our president. It’s simple.”

Clearly, the man is a Presidential groupie, a court sycophant. It's a bi-partisan phenomenon.

[Michael Hardner]

It was a good debate, both candidates spoke intelligently and politely. It gives me hope that despite the craziness in various parts of the American political parties, some level of sanity prevails. Romney, I thought, did well to try to dispel the positions that he's been portrayed as having, for example regarding the 5 trillion dollars in tax cuts. Based on what he said, it sounds like he's just not planning to cut taxes by that amount.

In the end, there is a desire to look 'presidential'. That, together with the pressing issue of the economy, and the intelligence of the candidates too, gave us a respectable debate.

This will probably help Romney, as part of his lack of popularity is, I'm sure, that many people believe he will pursue what they see as "extreme" policies advocated by the far right of the Republican party, but he pretty clearly separated himself from such positions. How much this will help him will remain to be seen.

It's good to remember what he was up against in running for the nomination. He looked much more like a president last night than he ever looked like a Republican candidate.

Obama also performed well and defended his policies and record adequately, but I don't feel like he did anything to win new voters over.

In short, my opinion is that Romney did much to dispel fears about himself, potentially winning over some undecided voters, while Obama merely held the line.

The thing is, that despite the fact that they spoke issues, they spoke about economics and numbers and plans, and despite the fact that they were civil and presidential - Romney used the debate to dispel the notion of his wooden and aloof personality. In the end, he somehow completed the triple spin slam dunk (folks, that's only a metaphor) and Pinnochio became a real boy.

So, in the end, the substance of the debate only served to provide depth to the character - which is still what we're all voting for.

[madmax]

each of those guys should wear uniforms like nascar drivers do and the logos of all the corporations who give them millions should be pasted on their uniforms.

LMAO, What a great Idea.

And the winner of the debate could have a victory speech, changing logo'd ballcap hats all the while to make sure each sponsor gets more exposure.

[madmax]

Perhaps Obama didn't want to be there. With all that's going on in the world right now, perhaps he would have rather been concentrating on his duties as POTUS; perhaps that's where his mind was. Romney didn't have any such concerns.

If he wants to continue in his position, one of the elements is to perform on stage and defend your record against challengers and call them out when false or misleading statements are made or have been made. Its also an opportunity to connect to the public with your values and visions of why you deserve another term. Its a time when the public see the President and the Challenger and not their adverstising and marketing campaigns.

Romney may not be distracted by the ongoings of running a government, but Obama term could be shortlived if this is what he has to demonstrate to the American Public.

In short, I would suggest a level of arrogance and not taking the challenger seriously enough and believing that the challenger would do his own damage by opening his mouth.

But that didn't happen. The stereotype and formed image of Romney was not what showed up in the debate.

The Slick and polished image of Obama and his ability to connect to the public also didn't show up.

Anyone involved at that level of politics knows what the stakes are and what their job is to get re elected or to get elected.

This one goes to Romney. No excuses just results.

[PIK]

What I seen was the arrogance of axlerod coming thru, did not realize that untill a interview with him. I expect obama was told to stick to the talking points and mitt will destroy himself. Well it did not happen. The worst moment for obama was the lie about getting breaks to move overseas, mitt nailed him and obama could not muster any comeback. It seems obama was told that and never checked to see if it was actually true. I expected obama to wipe the floor with him, but he was not prepared at all. Americans should be rethinking thier decision about who should be leading the country. You should see a brand new obama on the next one ,if not he is toast, ryder cup all over again. Now the VP debate has become real important now and the dems must be worrying what biden is going to come out with, or maybe biden will fool us all.

[BubberMiley]

The worst moment for obama was the lie about getting breaks to move overseas, mitt nailed him and obama could not muster any comeback. It seems obama was told that and never checked to see if it was actually true.

Then it wasn't such a bad moment I guess because it wasn't a lie. Mitt was the one being dishonest.

http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2010/nov/21/sheldon-whitehouse/whitehouse-says-companies-get-tax-break-moving-job/

[Shady]

Perhaps Obama didn't want to be there. With all that's going on in the world right now, perhaps he would have rather been concentrating on his duties as POTUS; perhaps that's where his mind was. Romney didn't have any such concerns.

Or maybe he'd rather be attending funfraisers with Jay-Z and Beyonce, or going on the View. Anyways, cry me a river, lots of presidents have had things going on around debate time. Face facts, he got his ass kicked.

[PIK]

Then it wasn't such a bad moment I guess because it wasn't a lie. Mitt was the one being dishonest.

http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2010/nov/21/sheldon-whitehouse/whitehouse-says-companies-get-tax-break-moving-job/

If so ,the obama blew a big chance to nail him, instead of standing there looking down with a sheepish look on his face. So if what you said is true, it now does not matter. obamas response made it true.

[sharkman]

Then it wasn't such a bad moment I guess because it wasn't a lie. Mitt was the one being dishonest.

http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2010/nov/21/sheldon-whitehouse/whitehouse-says-companies-get-tax-break-moving-job/

But Obama's response, not yours, is what counts. He had no response at all on national TV in a Presidential Debate.

[kraychik]

Romney destroyed Obama, AND that pathetic Jim Lehrer's attempts to assist his favourite Indonesian madrassah alumni. It wasn't even close. Now, the question is, does it matter? Will this mobilise the electorate?

[kraychik]

Spoken like a true Obama fanboy. CNN's poll of registered voters showed Romney winning the debate 67% to 25%. CBS as well. But I'll leave you with this...

Bill Maher: "I can't believe I'm saying this, but Obama DOES look like he needs a teleprompter."

Don't you love it how leftists like Smallc actually perceive themselves as somewhat conservative? From Michael Hardner being an objective pragmatist to a Smallc being "slightly conservative", it's hilarious to see the depth of self-deceit that these leftists practise in order to tell themselves, and others, that they're not socialists.

[kraychik]

Definitely a good debate for Willard. Although, expectations were set so low that I think that anything short of spontaneously combusting on stage would have been considered a good night for Willard.

I think he won the debate. However, there was no "John Turner moment". I don't think there was anything tonight that really made that big an impression.

-k

Since when were expectations, low? Obama went in with a huge handicap: he's been the President for the past four years and has a record of failure. Obama's demagoguery doesn't work so well when you're not alone on stage. How much would you like to bet that this DNC video gets pulled shortly?

[kraychik]

Romney seemed human-like which was what was needed for him.

This is the guy that the smart Republicans bet on - reasonable, smart, pragmatic.

The only reason a person wouldn't think that Romney is "human-like" is if they buy the Democratic Party's propaganda and slander. He's quite human, as is Obama. But wait, you're a non-partisan man, right?

[Pliny]

For Romney, it didn't end well enough. It wasn't a game changing debate...and there are two more. Obama did look off his game. He looked tired...he looked sick, actually.

Obama prefers just being eye candy and awing his audience by robotically repeating talking points. You know...the rich should pay their fair share....we have to invest in education....I've created 5 million jobs.....I killed Osama....the auto industry is robust....ad nausea