Will You Watch the Debate Tonight?

[Rohirrim]

Frankly, I expect nothing but vanilla. Using football analogies, I think Obama will play like he has the lead and try and use up the clock. Romney will go for the Hail Mary.

[Bacchus]

Frankly, I expect nothing but vanilla. Using football analogies, I think Obama will play like he has the lead and try and use up the clock. Romney will go for the Hail Mary.

Romney will be on the attack and Obama will be like his favorite cigarette.....COOL:afro:

[Garcia Bronco]

I think it'll be a bunch of nothing. What I'll be interested to see is if they spew the talking points in their ads that they personally approve.

[Bacchus]

I think it'll be a bunch of nothing. What I'll be interested to see is if they spew the talking points in their ads that they personally approve.

It depends what you mean by nothing. Romney will be on the attack and that should be interesting to see what he comes up with.

[Requiem]

Yes. I will be taking shots every time Romney attacks Obama, but doesn't offer a solution himself. Fully expect to be loaded thirty minutes into the debate.

[BroncoInferno]

Romney's desperate, so he will probably be more aggressive. Supposedly, his team is preparing some "one-liners" for him, so it will be interesting to see if they come up with anything that will resonate and turn things around. I don't think Romney has the charisma to pull off a game-changer in a debate format. We'll see.

[Garcia Bronco]

I think if Obama is smart he'll be on the attack as well. However, I do agree that Romney has the bigger need to swing independents like myself. He'll really have to expose the PResident for some of his short falls and that debate starts with foreign policy, whihc our media is not reporting. Ergo, it's not a big campaign issue. This election has been much more focused on domestic policy. Which honestly, neither candidate, is going to be able to change much. Economically I think Romney would be the better choice in terms of confidence. I think Obama is the better choice from a foreign policy perspective, and his, while on the surface seems good....is not that good at all.

Obama is a weak President overall, but he still might be a better choice than Romney.

[Pony Boy]

Obama is a weak President overall, but he still might be a better choice than Romney.

We have reached a point where there are more people in the wagon (Obama voters) than pulling the wagon (Romney voters). Major Corporations and small business owners realize that Obama will probably be re-elected and are preparing to survive another four years of Obama's self destruction of the American economy. Cash will be hoarded and expansion and hiring of new employees will be put on hold. There will be some jobs added as companies rid themselves of older higher paid employees and replace them with desperate employees willing to enter the work force at reduced wage levels.

The chant "Four More Years” will take on a new meaning ...... "Survive Four More Years".

[Garcia Bronco]

We have reached a point where there are more people in the wagon (Obama voters) than pulling the wagon (Romney voters). Major Corporations and small business owners realize that Obama will probably be re-elected and are preparing to survive another four years of Obama's self destruction of the American economy. Cash will be hoarded and expansion and hiring of new employees will be put on hold. There will be some jobs added as companies rid themselves of older higher paid employees and replace them with desperate employees willing to enter the work force at reduced wage levels.

The chant "Four More Years” will take on a new meaning ...... "Survive Four More Years".

I think lost in all this is actually what you pointed out. With Obama, there is a number of uncertain-business-owners on the side effects of his policies relative to domestic policy that cause an inability to make good business assumptions. They feel they can't plan ahead accurately, so in the absence of confidence they are hoarding captial which is inhibiting private sector job growth.

[Rohirrim]

We have reached a point where there are more people in the wagon (Obama voters) than pulling the wagon (Romney voters). Major Corporations and small business owners realize that Obama will probably be re-elected and are preparing to survive another four years of Obama's self destruction of the American economy. Cash will be hoarded and expansion and hiring of new employees will be put on hold. There will be some jobs added as companies rid themselves of older higher paid employees and replace them with desperate employees willing to enter the work force at reduced wage levels.

The chant "Four More Years” will take on a new meaning ...... "Survive Four More Years".

What, in your opinion, was the effect of Bush's policies on the economy?

[TonyR]

What, in your opinion, was the effect of Bush's policies on the economy?

They deny the existence of GWB, and can't explain what it is that Obama has done to ruin the economy. He just has!

[Old Dude]

* My answer is "yes" and "no." (What a special snowflake* I am!)

I don't intend to watch it live because nothing either one of them will say can change my mind at this point and I have more important things to do.

However, I'm sure I'll be bombarded with endless replays of this thing ad nauseum for several days to come, so I'll wind up watching most of it whether I want to or not.

[Garcia Bronco]

What, in your opinion, was the effect of Bush's policies on the economy?

I think this breaks down in the 4 areas:

Medicare D
The Wars
The creation of the DHS - and the infrastrucutre projects to secure locations like the Federal Reserves and Airports based on 9/11
And the proclaimation to increase homeownership via Fanny and Freddy

3 have some positive attributes, but all are mostly negative right? But some of these are the direct result of getting attacked by Muslims on our own soil. And I won't fault the President for responding in what they believed was the best course of action.

[houghtam]

Yes. I will be taking shots every time Romney attacks Obama, but doesn't offer a solution himself. Fully expect to be loaded thirty minutes into the debate.

Holy ****, this is a great idea! Maybe I'll do a swig of beer every time Obama says "Look...", and a shot every time Romney does that.

[Crushaholic]

* My answer is "yes" and "no." (What a special snowflake* I am!)

I don't intend to watch it live because nothing either one of them will say can change my mind at this point and I have more important things to do.

However, I'm sure I'll be bombarded with endless replays of this thing ad nauseum for several days to come, so I'll wind up watching most of it whether I want to or not.

I think that's why I set my DVR. I don't want to watch it live. I don't, however, want to rely on carefully crafted debate snippets. I want to be able to see their comments, in context...

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

We have reached a point where there are more people in the wagon (Obama voters) than pulling the wagon (Romney voters). Major Corporations and small business owners realize that Obama will probably be re-elected and are preparing to survive another four years of Obama's self destruction of the American economy. Cash will be hoarded and expansion and hiring of new employees will be put on hold. There will be some jobs added as companies rid themselves of older higher paid employees and replace them with desperate employees willing to enter the work force at reduced wage levels.

The chant "Four More Years” will take on a new meaning ...... "Survive Four More Years".

Where, exactly, is this planet you live on? :crazy:

[Rohirrim]

Holy ****, this is a great idea! Maybe I'll do a swig of beer every time Obama says "Look...", and a shot every time Romney does that.

I say do a shot for every time a candidate says, "The fact is..." :alky:

Or every time they do that weird little "power thumb" thing.

[Fedaykin]

I think lost in all this is actually what you pointed out. With Obama, there is a number of uncertain-business-owners on the side effects of his policies relative to domestic policy that cause an inability to make good business assumptions. They feel they can't plan ahead accurately, so in the absence of confidence they are hoarding captial which is inhibiting private sector job growth.

Never in the history of our nation has anyone been able to count on things staying the same for more than a few months at a time.

It's an impossibility given the nature of our government -- and it's a bull**** excuse the R's a using to try to shore up the utter fail that is trickle down policy.

The only way capital will be expended is if people think there will be an ROI, and in order for there to be an ROI there has to be demand for a good or product. Minor changes in tax policy (which is the only thing ever talked about) has never, and will never stop people from trying to find ROI on their capital.

[BroncsRule]

Where's the option: "I can't avert my eyes from this train wreck."

[gunns]

I'm more interested in Factcheck.org tomorrow.

[spdirty]

I'm tired, and sore, and pissed off, and know who I'm voting for, unless Obama pledges to fire Cathy. And also pledges to give me 1 hour of uninterrupted time to chew her ass out. Then he'll get my vote.

With one eye I'll be watching and with the other I'll be on the computer trying to figure out how to improve my fantasy teams.

[houghtam]

LOL @ Romney admitting to wanting to get rid of PBS and shipping jobs overseas in front of 60 million people.

[TonyR]

Hate to admit it but I thought Romney clearly "won" the early part of the debate. Let's see if Obama picks it up.

[Rigs11]

Mittens said he needs a new accountant after Obama said that companies get tax cuts for shipping jobs overseas.he said that it wasn't true.oops

http://abcnews.go.com/m/blogEntry?id=16816660

[houghtam]

What ridiculous false equivalence.

"You spent $90B on green jobs, that would have hired 2 million teachers!"

Mr. Romney, are you suggesting the federal government spend $90B more on hiring teachers? Because if so, I'm for that plan.

[Rigs11]

I have to admit mittens did ok.the prez looked smug and tired.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Im a very very left wing liberal, and I thought Mittens kicked Obamas ass tonight. Wasn't even close. Obama looked disinterested and simply didn't stand up for himself. Romney threw out a lot of bull**** tonight, and Obama never called him on it. He pushed around the moderator, he had convinction (even when his facts are off), and I think its a wake up call for the president.

That said...i really dont think debates make a lick of difference in peoples final decision...plus, people have no attention spans. And i dont think either of them will make much of a difference anyway.

[Elway 4 Life]

Romney 1 - Obama 0

[Pony Boy]

Im a very very left wing liberal, and I thought Mittens kicked Obamas ass tonight. Wasn't even close. Obama looked disinterested and simply didn't stand up for himself. Romney threw out a lot of bull**** tonight, and Obama never called him on it. He pushed around the moderator, he had convinction (even when his facts are off), and I think its a wake up call for the president.

That said...i really dont think debates make a lick of difference in peoples final decision...plus, people have no attention spans. And i dont think either of them will make much of a difference anyway.

Good point, I agree most people will not change their vote but what it will do is energize the republican party.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

By now, anyone who has been paying attention can see that Mitt Romney will say anything and change his position on any issue at the drop of a hat just to win.

The rethugs are obviously counting on winning support from those people who haven't been paying attention.

[Mecklomaniac]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7AzmXeZgGS0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Lol Tingles loses the thrill up his leg.

[Mecklomaniac]

By now, anyone who has been paying attention can see that Mitt Romney will say anything and change his position on any issue at the drop of a hat just to win.

The rethugs are obviously counting on winning support from those people who haven't been paying attention.


The President just found out he can't rely on the strawman argument when someone is there to call BS.

[barryr]

Obama blaming Bush doesn't cut it, but liberals will vote for him anyway. Obama can say about anything and will still get their vote regardless. Even they can't tell you what all Obama really stands for.

[DBruleU]

Im a very very left wing liberal, and I thought Mittens kicked Obamas ass tonight. Wasn't even close. Obama looked disinterested and simply didn't stand up for himself. Romney threw out a lot of bull**** tonight, and Obama never called him on it. He pushed around the moderator, he had convinction (even when his facts are off), and I think its a wake up call for the president.

That said...i really dont think debates make a lick of difference in peoples final decision...plus, people have no attention spans. And i dont think either of them will make much of a difference anyway.

For those who have already made up their mind you are probably right, but for undecideds I think it can definitely sway you one way or the other. That's why you debate.

Frank Luntz had a focus group and for many people who voted Obama in '08 they are going Romney this time.

[barryr]

Those that watched the debates are largely the ones who may still be undecided. What is expected is the liberals to make excuses for Obama and have already claimed him the winner of the next debate.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

For those who have already made up their mind you are probably right, but for undecideds I think it can definitely sway you one way or the other. That's why you debate.

Frank Luntz had a focus group and for many people who voted Obama in '08 they are going Romney this time.

I was actually just reading a study about this today that suggested over time it didnt make much of a difference. ****, i cant remember where I saw it, but it is pretty hard to really distinguish, i suppose, considering there are a bunch of factors that sway an undecideds vote. And i can't exactly trust Frank Luntz, a noted republican, just like i wouldnt trust a liberal on the other side.

[Broncojef]

The President just found out he can't rely on the strawman argument when someone is there to call BS.

Truth is such a refreshing drink. How great was it to watch Mitt tear Obama on every point piece by piece and Obama having no argument to offer in return. Mitt brought the passion of freedom, liberty and conservatism. Obama was disinterested and knew his crap couldn't stand the test of truth when standing in front of a true leader.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Those that watched the debates are largely the ones who may still be undecided. What is expected is the liberals to make excuses for Obama and have already claimed him the winner of the next debate.

Im a liberal and thought Obama sucked tonight. I think Romney also threw out a ton of BS, but in a debate, if you have conviction and control the convo, you can say the sky is yellow and it wont matter.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Truth is such a refreshing drink. How great was it to watch Mitt tear Obama on every point piece by piece and Obama having no argument to offer in return. Mitt brought the passion of freedom, liberty and conservatism. Obama was disinterested and knew his crap couldn't stand the test of truth when standing in front of a true leader.

I don't know if "truth" is the right word. But Mittens pushed him around. Eat your pie and you can lose weight.

[Kid A]

Im a very very left wing liberal, and I thought Mittens kicked Obamas ass tonight. Wasn't even close. Obama looked disinterested and simply didn't stand up for himself. Romney threw out a lot of bull**** tonight, and Obama never called him on it. He pushed around the moderator, he had convinction (even when his facts are off), and I think its a wake up call for the president.

That said...i really dont think debates make a lick of difference in peoples final decision...plus, people have no attention spans. And i dont think either of them will make much of a difference anyway.

Historically they've never completely swung an election, but they can make it closer. I like wonky, numbers and policy stuff myself, but you have to deliver it with somer fervor and humor (like Clinton at the DNC). Romney was all over him, tying stuff in to anecdotes about real people while Obama was almost too presidential and removed.

Worse still, media was rooting for this to get tighter any way, so the narrative about Romney's gaffes, 47% (which Obama never brought up, WTF?!), etc is now turned to Romney's surge. This certainly plays to all the left's issues with Obama, ie he needs to grow a pair and show some emotion when going up against the GOP.

[barryr]

Im a liberal and thought Obama sucked tonight. I think Romney also threw out a ton of BS, but in a debate, if you have conviction and control the convo, you can say the sky is yellow and it wont matter.

Saying a ton of BS got Obama elected in the first place, so what goes around.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Saying a ton of BS got Obama elected in the first place, so what goes around.

And this is what the American political environment is....great. Who can spew the best bull****.

[Mecklomaniac]

Obama sycophant Andrew Sullivan

Look: you know how much I love the guy, and you know how much of a high information viewer I am, and I can see the logic of some of Obama’s meandering, weak, professorial arguments. But this was a disaster for the president for the key people he needs to reach, and his effete, wonkish lectures may have jolted a lot of independents into giving Romney a second look…

The person with authority on that stage was Romney – offered it by one of the lamest moderators ever, and seized with relish. This was Romney the salesman. And my gut tells me he sold a few voters on a change tonight. It’s beyond depressing. But it’s true

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/10/live-blogging-the-first-presidential-debate-2012.html

[Broncojef]

I don't know if "truth" is the right word. But Mittens pushed him around. Eat your pie and you can lose weight.

I was a military guy that stood in places that faced the Soviet Union during the cold war. I remeber feeling so bad back then for the people that were always fed the state propaganda and forced to hear nothing but what the state wanted them to hear. Truth and freedom are depleting entities in America these days under this administration and hearing a man speak it tonight warmed my heart.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I was a military guy that stood in places that faced the Soviet Union during the cold war. I remeber feeling so bad back then for the people that were always fed the state propaganda and forced to hear nothing but what the state wanted them to hear. Truth and freedom are depleting entities in America these days under this administration and hearing a man speak it tonight warmed my heart.

Wow, are you really comparing the American government to a totalitarian state? Come the **** on, what world do you live in? How has your life changed even a bit? Because they tried to implement a heathcare plan that ROMNEY did first? THATS IT. If anything, its the right wing trying to restrict women's writes and voting laws that restricts "freedoms" enough.

The interesting thing is that Romney tied himself to some interesting things that im not sure he can live up to tonight...like the 5 trillion number, which is part of his plan. And i BET you that a lot of Romney's numbers were inaccurate tonight. But i think he realized it doesnt matter...people respond to conviction..and he looked determined and won tonight.

[lonestar]

I was a military guy that stood in places that faced the Soviet Union during the cold war. I remeber feeling so bad back then for the people that were always fed the state propaganda and forced to hear nothing but what the state wanted them to hear. Truth and freedom are depleting entities in America these days under this administration and hearing a man speak it tonight warmed my heart.

thank you for your service..:thumbs:

I'm guessing that many if not most of the uber liberal morons here did not have the balls to serve..

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

The President just found out he can't rely on the strawman argument when someone is there to call BS.

Actually, just the opposite was true tonight.

Thurston was piling the BS up to the rafters, and Obama didn't do a good job of challenging it.

My guess is that Obama was giving Thurston a little extra rope.

The fact checkers are going to have a field day with Thurston. :D

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I'm guessing that many if not most of the uber liberal morons here did not have the balls to serve..

Then your guess is as far off the mark as the rest of the nonsensical tripe you post here on a daily basis.

[Broncojef]

Wow, are you really comparing the American government to a totalitarian state? Come the **** on, what world do you live in? How has your life changed even a bit? Because they tried to implement a heathcare plan that ROMNEY did first? THATS IT. If anything, its the right wing trying to restrict women's writes and voting laws that restricts "freedoms" enough.

The interesting thing is that Romney tied himself to some interesting things that im not sure he can live up to tonight...like the 5 trillion number, which is part of his plan. And i BET you that a lot of Romney's numbers were inaccurate tonight. But i think he realized it doesnt matter...people respond to conviction..and he looked determined and won tonight.

Absolutely I'm making the comparison!!! The media and the left have cauddled Obama from the beginning and the state run media on CBS,CNBC,ABC,NBC,MSNBC, etc are complicit in the lies this administration spews as the truth. It was painfully pleasant watching Obama having to actually take real questions and explain himself. Obama is arrogant, doesn't have the need to explain himself and the media kisses his ass. I love the truth, freedom and making my own decisions. I live in America, not a nanny state where a dictator in Washington tells me what is allowable or fair and the media props him up to tell me what reality is.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

thank you for your service..:thumbs:

I'm guessing that many if not most of the uber liberal morons here did not have the balls to serve..


Its this type of rhetoric that pisses me the **** off. Its so ****ing dumb.

Anyway, here are some facts on the numbers:

Mitt's "lengthy plan" for a new healthcare plan is a 396 word piece on his website that doesnt really explain all that much. Its good to be vague.

Again, his typical "ill cut taxes and pay for them," without ever saying how he'd pay for them other than "trust me," was on display tonight. Because the math claims he'd increase the deficit by 5 trillion. Its hard to nail him on his vague numbers because there's no facts to go by. He just dodged a lot, was vague with sweeping promises, and attacked Obama. He did a great job debating. Doesn't mean he'd be worth a damn as a president.

Hey guys, I have some pie, its great, and you wont even gain weight. Trust me.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Absolutely I'm making the comparison!!! The media and the left have cauddled Obama from the beginning and the state run media on CBS,CNBC,ABC,NBC,MSNBC, etc are complicit in the lies this administration spews as the truth. It was painfully pleasant watching Obama having to actually take real questions and explain himself. Obama is arrogant, doesn't have the need to explain himself and the media kisses his ass. I love the truth, freedom and making my own decisions. I live in America, not a nanny state where a dictator in Washington tells me what is allowable or fair and the media props him up to tell me what reality is.

Dude! You've lost it.

I have to sign off...i cant keep get in conversations with walls. Unreal that you think we're becoming a soviet union. YOURE LIFE HASNT CHANGED. HES TAKEN NOTHING FROM YOU.

My god. Im out.

[Broncojef]

thank you for your service..:thumbs:

I'm guessing that many if not most of the uber liberal morons here did not have the balls to serve..

Thanks mate! I call on all Americans both liberal and those who aren't to watch the debate tonight and those upcoming to make a decision on who to vote for, the choice should be clear.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Romney's plans are just so damn GOOD he has to keep them a secret in advance of the election.

That one made me chuckle. Ha!

[lonestar]

Its this type of rhetoric that pisses me the **** off. Its so ****ing dumb.

Anyway, here are some facts on the numbers:

Mitt's "lengthy plan" for a new healthcare plan is a 396 word piece on his website that doesnt really explain all that much. Its good to be vague.

Again, his typical "ill cut taxes and pay for them," without ever saying how he'd pay for them other than "trust me," was on display tonight. Because the math claims he'd increase the deficit by 5 trillion. Its hard to nail him on his vague numbers because there's no facts to go by. He just dodged a lot, was vague with sweeping promises, and attacked Obama. He did a great job debating. Doesn't mean he'd be worth a damn as a president.

Hey guys, I have some pie, its great, and you wont even gain weight. Trust me.

Glad to piss you off.

as for Romney vs obama I'll take a successful business man any day over a career politician that has failed in doing anything but promise hope and change..

But hey that is me.. he was the clear winner tonite..

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Glad to piss you off.

as for Romney vs obama I'll take a successful business man any day over a career politician that has failed in doing anything but promise hope and change..

But hey that is me.. he was the clear winner tonite..

Only if you're giving points for style vs. substance.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/550554_535452349805651_1183878913_n.jpg

[Broncojef]

Dude! You've lost it.

I have to sign off...i cant keep get in conversations with walls. Unreal that you think we're becoming a soviet union. YOURE LIFE HASNT CHANGED. HES TAKEN NOTHING FROM YOU.

My god. Im out.

Embassies on fire with the middle east burning due to poor foriegn policy and kissing ass with the muslim brotherhood, gun smuggling scams in Mexico killing kids and our border patrol to errode our the second amendment, spending that is so out of control that we print money and borrow from China while the dollar collapses and Obama's only answer is to make me pay higher taxes, A health care bill (Obamacare) that will errode medical treatment for myself, friends and family, an energy policy designed to invest my tax dollars in losing commodities while gas and electric bills go through the roof...the list goes on and on don't tell me my life hasn't changed or it won't. There are consequences to elections and while you may not see them some of us are smart enough to know what Obama is doing is destroying America.

[lonestar]

Embassies on fire with the middle east burning due to poor foriegn policy and kissing ass with the muslim brotherhood, gun smuggling scams in Mexico killing kids and our border patrol to errode our the second amendment, spending that is so out of control that we print money and borrow from China while the dollar collapses and Obama's only answer is to make me pay higher taxes, A health care bill (Obamacare) that will errode medical treatment for myself, friends and family, an energy policy designed to invest my tax dollars in losing commodities while gas and electric bills go through the roof...the list goes on and on don't tell me my life hasn't changed or it won't. There are consequences to elections and while you may not see them some of us are smart enough to know what Obama is doing is destroying America.

not to mention killing any oil and gas exploration-pipeline as well as shutting down Coal fired electric generation plants. While maybe not a bad idea LONG term not good until they have something else in place to replace them..

[ant1999e]

not to mention killing any oil and gas exploration-pipeline as well as shutting down Coal fired electric generation plants. While maybe not a bad idea LONG term not good until they have something else in place to replace them..

But lets help Brazil expand their offshore drilling.

[barryr]

You know Obama did poorly when the Obama supporting liberals have little to post after months of nonstop threads about how terrible Romney is and how great Obama is even though they have little to offer for that support. And tonight didn't change that, so not much to say LOL But their game is ready to go as planned with the usual Obama makes a great comeback in the next debate despite it being basically the same.

[barryr]

But lets help Brazil expand their offshore drilling.

Yep, how that makes any sense to anybody is beyond comprehension. We won't spend money to do our own drilling, but we'll pay other countries to help do their own? Idiotic!

[ant1999e]

Yep, how that makes any sense to anybody is beyond comprehension. We won't spend money to do our own drilling, but we'll pay other countries to help do their own? Idiotic!

2016:Obama's America has a pretty good explination.

[ZONA]

Hate to admit it but I thought Romney clearly "won" the early part of the debate. Let's see if Obama picks it up.

There is no such thing as winning a debate. It's not like a sporting event where there is a single and clear winner, no disputes. Debates are pure perspective. If you go by a meter at the bottom of the screen controlled by 39 people and then some bias reporting both ways afterwards, I guess then you could say you think somebody won.

Fact is, Romney needs a miracle to win this thing. He's behind in all the swing states and by a pretty decent amount in some of them. He can't just get a few of those, he needs almost ALL of those swing states.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

There is no such thing as winning a debate. It's not like a sporting event where there is a single and clear winner, no disputes.

You'll never be able to get the average right-wingnut to understand this.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/384430_538790879479761_226811236_n.jpg

[BroncoInferno]

Im a very very left wing liberal, and I thought Mittens kicked Obamas ass tonight. Wasn't even close. Obama looked disinterested and simply didn't stand up for himself. Romney threw out a lot of bull**** tonight, and Obama never called him on it. He pushed around the moderator, he had convinction (even when his facts are off), and I think its a wake up call for the president.

That said...i really dont think debates make a lick of difference in peoples final decision...plus, people have no attention spans. And i dont think either of them will make much of a difference anyway.

I agree. Make no mistake, it wasn't that Romney put on some brillant display....Obama simply let him off the hook. It was very frustrating to watch. When Romney says he's going to cut taxes but make them revenue neutral, simple logic dictates that the only way that works is to either not cut taxes at all or cut spending. Obama should have pressed him for specifics, but he let him off the hook. And no mention of the 47% comment? One commentator compared Obama's performance to playing prevent defense, and I think that was a good comparison. He seemed like he was trying to run out the clock. It will be interesting to see what kind of movement the polls show in the swing states. Obama just sucked. He looked exhausted and disinterested. Fortunately, there are two other debates and I suspect he won't let that happen again.

[TonyR]

...poor foriegn policy...

You're such a joke. You know nothing about foreign policy. You only know what the right wing propagandists say about it.

How about considering the opinions of some people who do know something about foreign policy?

Hey, it turns out that the sanctions against Iran really are crippling -- so much so that even Mahmoud Admadinejad is admitting it and Benjamin Netanyahu now has sanctions fever. Based on my own sanctions model, I'd predict that the sanctions are now becoming so costly that Iran will in fact be willing to compromise on its nuclear program -- but any concessions will seem tiny compared to how devastating the sanctions have been. http://drezner.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/10/03/pre_debate_potpourri

Regardless of what you think about Iran's nuclear program (and the sanctions regime itself), there's a lesson here: foreign policy isn't always — or even often — about who can bluster the hardest. Nor is it about "red lines" and toughness. It's messy. No one just sails from success to success. But Obama has pursued a sensible and persistent course against Iran's nuclear program: first getting the world on his side by demonstrating a genuine willingness to engage with Iran's leaders; pushing relentlessly for sanctions when that didn't work; declining to back down when Iran tried to split the coalition he'd built; consistently turning down policy options that might have turned Iran's people against him; and keeping military threats visible but always in the background. http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/10/not-bombing-iran-turns-out-be-working-pretty-well-so-far

[Rohirrim]

Obama's performance was lackluster, at best. I thought it looked like a top salesman going up against a professor. I hope the American people can look behind the curtain and see what that salesman is actually selling. This went pretty much as I expected. Obama was vanilla. He doesn't feel the need to add more to the scoreboard so he's trying to run out the clock. Romney showed that he's willing to say anything to anybody, even if it's the reverse of what he was saying last week. This is what I really dislike about Romney. He'll say anything to make the sale. That's what he did at Bain. That's what he's still doing. We still have no idea what he would actually do in office, because he's not going to tell anybody that. Maybe he doesn't even know, or care?

[BroncoInferno]

One of the areas where I think this may hurt Obama is his likeability. Even when he hasn't polled well in other areas, his likeability ratings have always been consistently strong. As shallow as it may sound, that is a big advantage with wishy-washy independents when they go into the booth. A lot of people will end up pulling the lever for the guy they like the best, the guy they would wanna have a beer with. Last night, he came of as aloof and condescending, and it could turn off some of those people.

[Requiem]

I was about right. Mitt went on the offensive attacking Obama endlessly, yet not offering any specifics on his own. Romney did a really good job last night, even though he didn't discuss much about what he was going to do. Obama sat there and took a beating. I don't think he ever brought up Bain or anything questionable that Rmoney might get uneasy or fumble over.

[Requiem]

One of the areas where I think this may hurt Obama is his likeability. Even when he hasn't polled well in other areas, his likeability ratings have always been consistently strong. As shallow as it may sound, that is a big advantage with wishy-washy independents when they go into the booth. A lot of people will end up pulling the lever for the guy they like the best, the guy they would wanna have a beer with. Last night, he came of as aloof and condescending, and it could turn off some of those people.

But do you think that the first debate is going to have that much of an impact? A lot of people's perceptions about the debate going into it are the same that they came away with. People heard what they really wanted to hear. I had a colleague of mine who did liaison work with me in the state legislature who went to the extremes to say that Obama's performance last night was the worst in all history (without having witnessed more than several debates in his lifetime). Can't agree with that, but he came off as disinterested and fumbled over quite a few things. I've never seen him struggle that much. It was kind of hard to watch.

I'm not sure how the other channels had their coverage, but I watched the CNN live coverage (streaming via the net) and it seemed like women responded better for Obama and men overwhelmingly supported Romney over him. That really comes as no surprise. It will be interesting to see how this impacts polls through this weekend. Prior to this debate, Obama had had his highest ratings among women, men and even higher percentages of Latino voters in his corner in his time as President.

Will be interesting to see if that changes. Last night was a bright spot for the Romney campaign and I expect a little bit of move in the polls for him after a pretty sound performance, but the electoral college deficit he has to make up is going to be really difficult.

I've also read that there has been a huge turnout in early voting for Democrats in a lot of battleground states that allow it. That is pretty good news for the Obama campaign.

[Garcia Bronco]

I too thought that Romney really pwned Obama throughout the night.

[barryr]

Obama acted defensive and with good reason. Instead of giving people reasons to vote for him, his supporters spend time about Romney's dog, which most people didn't care. He has no real defense for the economy other than "Bush" nor why he spent so much time on his Obamacare and neglected the economy and jobs, which he has shown he knows very little anyway. Not to mention the ME is imploding right now and he has no idea what to do other than host celebrities at the WH and ignore our allies.

[24champ]

I was expecting Obama to use some sort of reference to Bain or the 47 percent comment, and then pander to the women and so forth. To my surprise he looked completely out of it, sort of meandering through the debate. Essentially the hundreds of millions of dollars the Obama Campaign spent on defining Romney, completely evaporated last night.

Romney really looked more Presidential than the President himself, Romney was respectful in going after Obama. Props to the Romney debate prep team, they worked on shortening Romney's responses since Romney can go a little wonky and lengthy at times.

I don't think this election is over based on last nights debate, but Romney has probably inched ahead by a few points. Romney got a lot of the undecideds, Romney did very well on CNN's flash poll (Romney got the largest percent in CNN poll history, going back to Reagan) and their Colorado undecideds focus group.

[pricejj]

But their game is ready to go as planned with the usual Obama makes a great comeback in the next debate despite it being basically the same.

The next debate is Ryan vs. Biden...which will be fun to watch, to say the least. Paul Ryan should be able to rag-doll Biden.

The next Presidential debate is a town hall debate in New York where Gallup (left-leaning) will select "undecided" voters to ask questions. Romney has two weeks to prepare. He will be attacked on all sides. Romney looked presidential last night. He has the ability, and facts on his side. Time to step up the intensity.

The last debate is Foreign Affairs in Florida. Romney's effectiveness will depend on his ability to detail the unraveling world-scene due to misguided U.S. foreign policy, and to portray strength while condemning nuclear proliferation, without appearing too gung-ho. Speak softly and carry a big stick, as it were.

[DBruleU]

I was expecting Obama to use some sort of reference to Bain or the 47 percent comment, and then pander to the women and so forth. To my surprise he looked completely out of it, sort of meandering through the debate. Essentially the hundreds of millions of dollars the Obama Campaign spent on defining Romney, completely evaporated last night.

Romney really looked more Presidential than the President himself, Romney was respectful in going after Obama. Props to the Romney debate prep team, they worked on shortening Romney's responses since Romney can go a little wonky and lengthy at times.

I don't think this election is over based on last nights debate, but Romney has probably inched ahead by a few points. Romney got a lot of the undecideds, Romney did very well on CNN's flash poll (Romney got the largest percent in CNN poll history, going back to Reagan) and their Colorado undecideds focus group.

I'm starting to think the 47 percent thing, and Bain are better weapons for Obama to use in ads rather than at a debate. At a debate Romney can respond directly. In ads you can say whatever the eff you want and people will buy it.

I would be very surprised if they aren't brought up in the next two debates however. Obama is going to come out the next two debates having to correct himself so much after the first disaster it may make him over compensate and not do so well. I would not be the least bit surprised if Romney/Ryan go 4/4 in these debates. The VP debate should be great. Bidens a dumbass.

[Requiem]

LOL @ the notion of Paul Ryan being able to rag doll Biden. Biden is going to wipe his ass with that Ayn Rand loving puke.

[DBruleU]

LOL @ the notion of Paul Ryan being able to rag doll Biden. Biden is going to wipe his ass with that Ayn Rand loving puke.

Yeah, and Obama was gonna wipe the floor with Romney too, huh?

hmmm...

[Requiem]

Yeah, and Obama was gonna wipe the floor with Romney too, huh?

hmmm...

Keep choking the chicken that Romney is actually going to win a month from now! :thumbsup:

[BroncoInferno]

Yeah, and Obama was gonna wipe the floor with Romney too, huh?

hmmm...

The problem for Ryan is that he made his name as a radical right-wing deficit hawk (oddly, given the fact that his bill would not have balanced the budget for 42 years, and that assuming an absurd 2% unemployment rate). With Romney pivoting back to the center, Ryan is not going to go on national TV and contradict the top of the ticket. So, what's Ryan's value here? He can't espouse the views that made him popular with the Tea Party, so what can he do but go out and contradict his previous views and pretend to be a centrist just like Romney is doing?

[DBruleU]

Keep choking the chicken that Romney is actually going to win a month from now! :thumbsup:

If he does I can't wait for your new tramp stamp. :thumbsup:

[Requiem]

If he does I can't wait for your new tramp stamp. :thumbsup:

The Bible is against tattoos. Can't do it. I was born again last Tuesday.

[TonyR]

Biden is going to wipe his ass with that Ayn Rand loving puke.

I hope you're right but there's reason for concern here. Ryan is a snake and a practiced liar. As Romney proved last night honesty isn't a requirement to "win" a debate. You just have to look and sound more convincing and confident.

[24champ]

LOL @ the notion of Paul Ryan being able to rag doll Biden. Biden is going to wipe his ass with that Ayn Rand loving puke.

I like Biden, I think he's a funny guy. He has a likeability factor among the average joes.

That being said though, he's not going against Palin this time. Ryan is more wonky and gets into specifics. Ryan needs to come across as appealing and not sound too wonky.

[TonyR]

With Romney pivoting back to the center, Ryan is not going to go on national TV and contradict the top of the ticket.

Will be interesting to see how they navigate this. But the electorate in general is so low information that Ryan can probably swing way back to the right and get away with it unless Biden specifically calls him on it during the debate.

[DBruleU]

The Bible is against tattoos. Can't do it. I was born again last Tuesday.

Interesting. I must notify all my Christian friends then.

It's ok. I'll make sure to remind you with visual evidence of your bet.

[TonyR]

...the unraveling world-scene due to misguided U.S. foreign policy, and to portray strength while condemning nuclear proliferation...

See post #65.

[24champ]

The problem for Ryan is that he made his name as a radical right-wing deficit hawk (oddly, given the fact that his bill would not have balanced the budget for 42 years, and that assuming an absurd 2% unemployment rate). With Romney pivoting back to the center, Ryan is not going to go on national TV and contradict the top of the ticket. So, what's Ryan's value here? He can't espouse the views that made him popular with the Tea Party, so what can he do but go out and contradict his previous views and pretend to be a centrist just like Romney is doing?

He will attack Obama's policies on spending, budget, and his jobs record. It will be interesting to see how Biden defends the administration's record. He can't have gaffe's like "middle class has been buried the last four years".

[BroncoInferno]

Will be interesting to see how they navigate this. But the electorate in general is so low information that Ryan can probably swing way back to the right and get away with it unless Biden specifically calls him on it during the debate.

If you've noticed, though, from the moment Ryan got the nomination he has been trying to distance himself from his status as a right-wing demagogue. He completely pivoted on the Medicare issue, for instance. In any case, a far right-wing approach isn't going to do anything but hurt with independents, so I fully expect the same populist approach we saw from Romney.

[DBruleU]

He will attack Obama's policies on spending, budget, and his jobs record. It will be interesting to see how Biden defends the administration's record. He can't have gaffe's like "middle class has been buried the last four years".

That's half the reason to watch the VP debate. Can't wait to see what Joe says.

Obamas gonna be all like

http://cdn.motinetwork.net/motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/0811/facepalm-demotivational-poster-1226799057.jpg

[bronco militia]

Al Gore blames Denver altitude for Obama debate performance



Al Gore thinks that the altitude in Denver, Colo., is to blame for President Obama’s lackluster debate performance.

During post-debate analysis on Current TV which is still an actual television channel taking up airspace, the former vice president postured that the thin air could have messed with Obama’s brain cells.

“I’m going to say something controversial here. Obama arrived in Denver at 2:00 p.m. today, just a few hours before the debate started,” Gore said. “Romney did his debate prep in Denver. When you go to 5,000 feet and you only have a few hours to adjust — I don’t know, maybe … [inaudible].”



Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/04/al-gore-blames-denver-altitude-for-obama-debate-performance-video/#ixzz28Lpooe7i

[houghtam]

LOL

I love how everyone is spinning this. The only reason Obama didn't "win" (whatever that means) is because he was unable or unwilling to call out Romney on his BS. He called for specifics several times, and Romney never answered. That is the moderator's fault.

And the best. The best! Is the righties who think Romney "won". If you think that's the case, you're no better than that stupid woman with the Obamaphone. Obama didn't give her a phone, and Romney didn't tell you what he was going to do as president. You're still stuck with "well whatever it is, it's better than Obama", and that's not going to get it done, no matter how you twist the facts.

[TonyR]

Good stuff from Ezra Klein:

Obama aside, the question the debates raised is which Romney voters will be choosing if they mark his name on the ballot. The Romney who endorsed the House Republican budget and chose its author as his running mate? Or the Romney who seemed to have no use for the Ryan budget and barely mentioned his running mate? The Romney who wants to cut $7 trillion from the budget over the next decade? Or the Romney who won’t name any spending cuts beyond PBS? The Romney who says he wants to give every state the opportunity to do what Massachusetts did in health care, which would mean handing over quite a bit in federal funding to fund those efforts, just as the federal government funded Massachusetts’ efforts? Or the Romney whose health-care plan spans less than 400 words and includes no plausible mechanisms by which other states could copy Massachusetts’ success? The Romney who talks movingly of bipartisan compromise? Or the Romney who says he wouldn’t accept a $1 in tax increases even if paired with $10 in spending cuts? http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/10/04/which-romney-will-voters-get/?wprss=rss_ezra-klein

(emphasis mine)

[TonyR]

The only reason Obama didn't "win" (whatever that means) is because he was unable or unwilling to call out Romney on his BS.

On that note...

Romney won the debate in no small part because he adopted a policy of simply lying about his policies. Probably the best way to understand Obama’s listless performance is that he was prepared to debate the claims Romney has been making for the entire campaign, and Romney switched up and started making different and utterly bogus ones. Obama, perhaps, was not prepared for that, and he certainly didn’t think quickly enough on his feet to adjust to it. http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/10/romneys-successful-debate-plan-lying.html

[houghtam]

On that note...

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/10/romneys-successful-debate-plan-lying.html

Exactly. In a debate class in college, we were debating Megan's Law and sex offender rolls. I felt awful for a girl who had prepared just like the rest of us, planning on her opponent arguing the same points that everyone else argued, and then her opponent came out with a "new plan" to round up all sex offenders in Wyoming, build a wall and forget about them.

Guy got an F for having a stupid idea unsupported by facts or laws. Girl got an F for standing on the stage with her jaw on the floor and not being able to form a coherent response.



I also always LOVE the fall back argument of "let's give the states the right to"...Why is that always the answer? In the case of education, for example, it's an issue that affects our entire country. Why should someone born in Mississippi have a disadvantage in education to someone born in Massachusetts, just because Mississippi can't get their **** together? It affects all of us.

And here's a clue. Take a guess which states do most poorly in education? Take a guess which states most want to "give the states the right to"?

Education isn't about states' rights. It's about education.

[Requiem]

Interesting. I must notify all my Christian friends then.

It's ok. I'll make sure to remind you with visual evidence of your bet.

Romans 14 or Leviticus 19. Take your pick.

[lonestar]

Al Gore blames Denver altitude for Obama debate performance



Al Gore thinks that the altitude in Denver, Colo., is to blame for President Obama’s lackluster debate performance.

During post-debate analysis on Current TV which is still an actual television channel taking up airspace, the former vice president postured that the thin air could have messed with Obama’s brain cells.

“I’m going to say something controversial here. Obama arrived in Denver at 2:00 p.m. today, just a few hours before the debate started,” Gore said. “Romney did his debate prep in Denver. When you go to 5,000 feet and you only have a few hours to adjust — I don’t know, maybe … [inaudible].”



Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/04/al-gore-blames-denver-altitude-for-obama-debate-performance-video/#ixzz28Lpooe7i

:thumbs:

to think this moron could have been president.. what a goofy mother ****er he is..

[Kid A]

I hope you're right but there's reason for concern here. Ryan is a snake and a practiced liar. As Romney proved last night honesty isn't a requirement to "win" a debate. You just have to look and sound more convincing and confident.

Ryan's an amazing bull**** artist. I've read people saying Biden is good at debates, but it has been a while since he was called to. The debate with Palin wasn't much of one, as he basically just played the gentleman nice and avoiding being seen attacking a woman who had already proven how unqualified she was at that point. Don't remember much about his performances in the Dem primaries, but those were all larger panels as opposed to head to head.