Anyone else watching this? I've been looking forward to this. Should be interesting.
It almost seems to me like Obama either doesn't really want the second term or is overly confident that he will win. I never had that thought before but almost immediately at the beginning I got that feeling and never shook it throughout the whole debate. He definitely seemed rattled and sort of unprepared, which is uncharacteristic of him for sure. But then again, now he has a track record to answer to. These will be debates for the ages.
He seemed very unprepared, I agree. iPhone 5!! Think I'm going to get one tomorrow. Do you have one yet? Is it available to just go get at the store or are they "sold out" everywhere?
Agree. Not sure Obama was that much more specific for future plans beyond his current policy. Some take-aways: Obama was drowning during the tax discussion -why didn't he mention Romney's personal tax bracket and his offshore accounts etc? Seemed he left some red meat on the table there. Romney: Not much I would change if I were his coach. He brought his "A" game. Bill Maher summed up Obama's performance well @billmaher "I can't believe I'm saying this but maybe Obama does need a teleprompter. Next debate: Obama will be more aggressive and on the offense. He will talk more to the camera directly and will work on his "optics". He needs to take Romney's own words and use them against him. Romney would kill big bird! If he doesn't, he may lose the election.
I agree with most of that, but I think the substance of the debate will alter the perception about it some as well as the MSM chews on it. There weren't any gaffs. Mitt looked much more moderate than he has, but what he said sounded less plausible and I think that will be an ongoing subject of discussion. Obama scored a lasting point with the lack of specifics criticism. I agree that Obama didn't get too specific about his future policy, but much of it is on paper to refer to. Romney doesn't have that. Mitt didn't reinforce his negative stereotypes, and I think that was his biggest win. I do expect Obama to come back swinging harder, but not much. He likes to play it cool. Three debates like this and it will be a close election.
As someone who can't in good conscious vote for either candidate it's interesting to watch how enthralled people are by the election. I remember how actively I followed the day to day events of the last campaign, but now I just live my life. I teach my child her letters, take her to the park, go to work, shop for the bar I'm going to buy. So many people around me are on fire with election fever.
I recall that you are a boxing fan. I have been looking forward to the debates to see two "heavyweights" square off in a battle of rhetoric. In my line of work I have to "debate" and speak publicly often. I enjoy seeing people that should be at the top of their game perform. Unfortunately, that's not what I saw last night. Obama was amateurish, Romney was solid but in no way "heavy-weight" material. Like you, I was much more engaged last election. My wife marvels at the amount of coverage the election gets. She thinks it should just be two well stated policy platforms and a few debates. Should only take a month. -I agree. Enjoy the time with your daughter and good luck with the bar. Seems you've got your priorities straight IMO.
I actually wish that I felt engaged by a candidate. I would like to feel one of the two valid choices could make a positive difference in the lives of everyday americans. Maybe Obama has a better chance at enacting positive change for most people and I should support him, but I just can't get over the many things he has done to erode the basic civil rights that the constitution should grant everyone of us. I also think that he has been ineffective at pushing a sensible domestic agenda, he starts from compromise and proceeds to compromise more ending up with unfocused policies that underachieve. I think Romney is probably a decent guy but I also think he has no idea how hard it is for the average Joe to get ahead. If many Americans don't pay much taxes it's because most their money goes toward trying to put food on the table at a time when there really aren't many employment prospects. His solution is to give more breaks to the business and finance sector which is already way below capacity having no incentive to invest as long as what they already have isn't operating at it's natural capacity. Basically the guy is operating on trickle down fallacies. I've read enough history to know that sometimes things go to shit, sometimes for a few years, sometimes for a few generations sometimes for good. I think things are going to shit now. Stupid wars, erosion of basic rights, a surveillance state, out of control government finance, harsh polarization and all encompassing bullshit and populism as the only solution. These kind of situations can turn on a dime if the right person or conditions come around, I guess I can only hope for better days.
I'm always glad when Lehrer is a moderator. I once was able to ask him a question on the Diane Rehm show regarding the debate he moderated with Bush Sr. "No cheers, boo's applause, hisses" Interesting to see them shake hands after so much vitriolic language/ads.
Yeah, Romney looks better thus far. Carrying himself with more confidence. Better use of humor too with the "I have 5 sons" line.
Obama's "If you think you can give a 5trillion dollar tax cut and add 2 trillion in defense spending and pay for it by cutting loop holes".... was effective. Lehrer needs to reign them in.
The "you put $90 billion -50 years worth in to solar and wind" -Romney is clearly getting the better of Obama right now imo.
"If your 54 or 55 you might want to listen" -looking directly in to camera. -Well played Mr. President.
Well delivered "good lines" makes him appear much more capable. He is on the offensive, Obama needs to reclaim the offense. But I guess that is the role of the incumbent.
Obama has got to be hoping for a subject change. Economy out the gate isn't exactly what he would have elected for imo