October 16, 2012

Live-blogging the second Obama vs. Romney debate.

7:14 Central Time: Setting up this post, I say "I'm so psyched for this debate!" And Meade says "I think you ought to lower your expectations. I think they will both look good, both look presidential, and there won't be any real change because of this debate." Perhaps. But I think it will have an effect... not because I think Obama has a way to change his image back into something we will love, but because we'll see Romney again, and that seemed to work last time, as people saw that he is not the villain the Obama campaigned tried to make us think he is.

7:33: Someone just asked me what I think will happen, and I said "I think Obama will try to be different, but not that different, because that would be phony. And Romney has the advantage of knowing if he just acts like the person he really is, it will work as a striking contrast to the way the O campaign has portrayed him, which is really what happened last time. I think that will happen again. But O will be more alert and engaged so it won't be so horrible." That's my prediction, anyway. What do you think?

7:57: I'm looking at the gathered throng of "undecided" voters. I don't feel confident that they're really undecided. And I think the moderator, Candy Crowley, favors Obama. But that's the way it always is. The Republican must overcome the disadvantage. ADDED: We're told by CNN's Erin Burnett that these supposedly "undecided" voters "in 2008, overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama." But they are "dead even split" in this election.

8:08: Both Romney and Obama jump on this poor Epstein kid who's going to college and wants  to be able to get a job. Both candidates talk about their economic plans generally. They are both wired. Obama is particularly intense. He wants everyone to know he is awake and alive. I don't know if he can keep that up or if we can take it. Crowley calls Romney "Romley."

8:13: The second question, with Obama going first, is about gas prices, and Obama launches into alternative energy, which seems quite unlikely to help people struggling with the gas prices. This is a great opening for Romney. Romney talks about how oil drilling on federal lands has been reduced under Obama.  R is for more drilling and clean coal, and he makes that clear. Candy invites Obama to respond and he accuses Romney of getting the facts wrong. Obama is for oil drilling and even coal plants. Romney, getting his turn, asks Obama a direct question, and both men try to control this time. There's back and forth bickering, and Romney ends up in control of the floor. The tension is extreme!

8:22: Obama says gas prices were lower when he took office because the economy was on the verge of collapse. He's not taking any responsibility for what gas prices are now. In fact, he's kind of taking credit.

8:23: Romney is able to stay relaxed while dominating. Crowley and Obama both seem cranked up and stressed.

8:25: A question about taxes. Romney is clear and focused. Obama's over there on the chair, hunkered down, crouching, oddly. Hey, Jaltcoh is live-blogging. Check it out.

8:31: "Governor Romney, I'm sure you have an answer," Crowley almost snarks. Her bias shows. She prompts Obama, suggesting the substance of the answer. Now, this doesn't really help Obama. It makes Romney look more dominant, and we get the impression that Obama needs a boost. It's actually patronizing.

8:34: When Obama speaks, Romney doesn't go back and sit down. He stands there, eyeing Obama, who seems desperate. Obama yammers quickly in a high, strained voice. I can't believe this is making the people in the audience feel connected and confident.

8:37: Why does Obama go back to the chair? Does he need the rest?

8:37: Romney sits down when an audience member speaks. Obama gets a softball question about women not making as much money as men. Obama repeats a story we've heard before, about his grandmother's career. He tells us about the Lily Ledbetter law, the first law he signed. Romney talks about work he did as Governor. He wanted women in his cabinet and initiated a search and found "binders full of women." He promotes flexible work schedules and generally strengthening the economy, which will help women. When it's Obama's turn, he brings up Lily Ledbetter again, then switches to health care.

8:45: A woman brings up Bush. She's afraid of Republicans because they remind her of Bush. Romney has a 5-point plan — all 5 points differentiate him from Bush. "President Bush had a very different path for a very different time."

8:53: Another question — why did they pick this? — about the stagnant economy. The man basically says: I don't feel so good.  Obama rattles off a lot of economic points. I think they picked this question because it gave Obama a chance to show warmth and caring. [ADDED: But Obama didn't take the opportunity. Not that Romney did.]

9:09: Crowley calls on someone named "Carrie" and Obama does a "Hi, Carrie" that sounds gentle and it's obvious he thinks it's a female. But it's a big old guy. "Cary," presumably. And he's got the Libya question. Uh-oh.

9:10: Obama's answer on Libya is all material he's said before. Nothing updated to deal with the newest revelations. Same old talking points. Investigate. Track down the criminals. Romney politicized it. "I am ultimately responsible"... that's new.

9:12: Romney acknowledges that Obama took responsibility "for the failure."

9:16: Obama, yelling, says it's "offensive" to suggest that anyone on his "team" would "play politics." "That's not what we do," he says, making eye contact with Romney, but then he breaks eye contact and looks down. Check the video on this. It's a moment.

9:19: Romney, in command, questions Obama about what he said the day after the attack in the Rose Garden. "You said it was an act of terror?" Romney asks twice. After the first time, Obama says "That's what I said." After the second time, Romney gives him a penetrating look. There's a pause. Romney raises his eyebrows in a way that seems to repeat the question again. "It was not a spontaneous demonstration? Is that what you're saying?" Obama bows his head. His eyes are closed. Obama looks up and with a little smile says: "Please proceed Governor." Romney gestures with his hand. "I wanted to make sure we get that for the record, because it took the President 14 days before he called the attack in Benghazi and act of terror." Obama says "Get the transcript," and Crowley helps Obama by saying "He did in fact, sir... He did in fact call it an act of terror. It did as well take 2 weeks or so for the whole idea of there being a riot out there about this tape to come out, you're correct about that." Jeez, Crowley is way overparticipating! And the audience applauds her!

9:20: Romney got tripped up on a little detail there, so his theatrical presentation fizzled in the end. He stuttered a bit. He should have had the preparation for that moment nailed. Obama lucked out. [ADDED: We're checking the transcript on the Rose Garden speech and the word "terror" (or "terrorist" or "terrorism") is not in it! Am I wrong? That really tripped up Romney, so if he wasn't wrong, I condemn Crowley.][AND: He said "outrageous attack," but certainly nothing like "act of terror."][ALSO: The word "terror" does appear in the full transcript of the remarks, as opposed to the written statement, but not in the context of characterizing the attack in Benghazi, in a more general reference, quoted at 10:21 below. The answer to Romney's question "You said it was an act of terror?" was clearly no, and when Obama bowed his head and looked down, I think he knew he was being deceitful. I imagine he thought: This is what I have to say.]

9:21: Gun control. Obama's talking about the Aurora shootings. He wants "a comprehensive strategy" that includes getting "into these communities and making sure we catch violent impulses before they occur."

9:22: Romney stresses the 2-parent family in response to the gun control question, then shifts to a Fast & Furious presentation. He'd "like to understand" what happened.

9:44: I've gotten behind in the recording after getting distracted by that "act of terror" business. And now, I'm so outraged at Crowley's intrusion to make an incorrect assertion to side with Obama that I can barely pay attention to the rest of this. (But I will keep going and get to the remainder of the material.)

9:47: Obama interrupts Romney — who's talking about competition with China — and he has been interrupting throughout the evening.

9:48: The last question is: "What is the biggest misperception people have about you as a man and as a candidate?" Romney says "his passion" flows from his belief in God. He also ticks through his resume again, which isn't responsive to the question. Ignoring the question is kind of the theme of the night.

9:51: Obama's turn. People think he believes that government creates jobs. "That's not what I believe. I believe in individual initiative."

9:52: Obama brings up the 47% remark, while it's his turn and he's speaking last. Romney can't answer! But Obama didn't make much of it. He said "47%" but didn't dramatize the idea in a memorable way.

9:54: "The most rancorous debate ever" — says the CBS announcer.  Presidential debates are changed forever, we're told.

10:03: It's bizarre to think of all the pre-debate commentary about how the town hall format is used to reach out to the individuals in the audience and demonstrate the human connection! It must have been a surreal experience for these poor folks.

10:21: The phrase "acts of terror" does appear in the Rose Garden remarks at one point: "No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for." But as Patrick Brennan says at NRO: "One could take that as a reference to acts which include the tragedy in Benghazi, obviously, but there was clearly no effort made to label it an act of terrorism. One reason why this might be: According to U.S. law, acts of terrorism are premeditated. The Obama administration’s line for days following Obama’s Rose Garden statement suggested that the attack wasn’t premeditated." Obama's supporters may want to say this is enough. I don't think so. But what is certainly plain is that Crowley's manipulation of the event was unjustifiable. The bias from the moderator tonight was disgusting. But I'm sure it was worth it to her to squander her reputation to help Obama out of what was a very uncomfortable jam.

10:27: Here's the transcript.  Sorry I didn't write anything about the immigration discussion. It's all there in the transcript.

10:37: Even though Romney's big moment got deflated, I think the focus now will be on what exactly is in that transcript, and hair-splitting about "No acts of terror will ever shake" isn't likely to sound compelling, especially as it becomes an occasion for focusing on the 2 weeks of lies/nonsense about the nonexistent demonstrations and the "Innocence of Muslims" video. There's a controversy over what Obama said, and even if there is one way to wriggle out of it, it forces us to spend time on the statements made about the attack, and this should hurt Obama. Whoever "wins" the debate, there's the post-debate discourse, and that must be won too.

10:53: Thanks to all the commenters for keeping the flow of opinion going on the second, third, and fourth pages. I haven't had the time to get in there and read things yet, but I wanted to express my appreciation for your contributions and my pleasure at being able to provide a place where people can talk.

981 comments:

1 – 200 of 981   Newer›   Newest»
Palladian said...

!!!

Rabel said...

A test for Obama’s ego tonight. When the question of “responsibility” for Benghazi comes up, he can say a gracious word about Hillary then simply, sincerely and without qualification say that he is the President and he is responsible. No waffles, no video, no chain of command or fog of war excuses.

Seems easy, but I don’t think he’s got it in him.

Follow that with another promise of punishment for the murderers, continued stonewalling on the reasons for the initial lie about an out of control protest, and an air strike before the next debate and he will be back on top of the issue.

chickelit said...

I'm going to listen to the beginning on the radio again, then switch to TV for the rest before reading commentary and see if my impressions change.

Big Mike said...

Better you than me, madam. Far better you than me.

Anga2010 said...

I should mention here, that I went to elementary school in Big Spring, Texas.
That's not news, but something about Big Spring is.

Anonymous said...

To-night is the night where Romney is buried. Bring flowers every-one.

NYT has already issued the editorial and an analysis.

MSNBC has already decided on the meme and theme for to-nite.

Mark Shields from PBS has already decided to memorize what he will say on Friday with Brooks, who has not won a pulitzer yet.

Every-one who is any-one knows that POTUS Obama is the best and greatest POTUS in our world history.

No leader, nowhere else, has the leadership, the brilliance, the genius like Obama.

Women voters love him and will vote for him.
Minorities adore him and will vote for him.
Stars and athletes love him and vote for him.
Even GOP who are in closet like Christ from FL or Arnold from CA will vote for him.

NO one loves Mitt, not even the robot on Mars.

To-night is the night. Mitt will be FINISHED.

Say prayers after you throw the flowers.

Pastafarian said...

I am so not-psyched for this debate.

Why can't they have these things on Friday or Saturday, so that I can drink a little bit, and maybe shoot up a little heroin, just to take the edge off?

Am I the only one that feels physically ill before and during these things?

pm317 said...

Seeing Romney without the interference of media whores is always a good thing. I hope he does well.

Anonymous said...

With bells on.

Anonymous said...

My post vanished. What is happening? I have a WH pass.

Anonymous said...

If you haven't made up your mind by now, you haven't been paying attention.

Patrick said...

As I noted in the earlier thread, Drudge's main photo shows that the Ptrsident arrived early.

Tim said...

I will not watch.

A Welsh Terrier needs to be walked.

That's much more important than this.

Anyone who needs this debate to help them figure out how to vote is a moron.

The last four years provide sufficient information, even for those clocking in at sub-average IQ's, to make a wiser choice than the voters did in '08.

Have fun!

Anonymous said...

Okay, let me try again.

To-night is the Night where Mitt Romney will be finished. Bring flowers. Okay?

Why?

Because every-one who is any-one knows that the election is over.

Every-one loves Obama - NYT, MSNBC, CNN, etc.

Who loves Romney? No one.

People are crying and desperate for Obama trashing of Romney and GOP.

Can you think of any-one else the people will be like this for?

All women, All minorities, All celebrities, etc. have all already voted for Obama.

Remember to say prayers as you throw flowers at Romney. That is a polite way to say good-bye.

jrberg3 said...

I think the One will fall flat again. Lets face it, he is the incumbent and people who are wavering want to hear about his policies, his vision of continuing 4 more years. Obama just can't articulate that without being hammered by Romney because his record is so awful.

Dan in Philly said...

I think the audience is stacked with undecided voters. Who is undecided at this point? People who have no values. Stupid format if you ask me.

Anonymous said...

To-night is the Night where Mitt Romney will be finished. Bring flowers. Okay?

Why?

Because every-one who is any-one knows that the election is over.

Every-one loves Obama - NYT, MSNBC, CNN, etc.

Who loves Romney? No one.

People are crying and desperate for Obama trashing of Romney and GOP.

Can you think of any-one else the people will be like this for?

All women, All minorities, All celebrities, etc. have all already voted for Obama.

Remember to say prayers as you throw flowers at Romney. That is a polite way to say good-bye.

Anonymous said...

Okay, let me try again.

To-night is the Night where Mitt Romney will be finished. Bring flowers. Okay?

Why?

Because every-one who is any-one knows that the election is over.

Every-one loves Obama - NYT, MSNBC, CNN, etc.

Who loves Romney? No one.

People are crying and desperate for Obama trashing of Romney and GOP.

Can you think of any-one else the people will be like this for?

All women, All minorities, All celebrities, etc. have all already voted for Obama.

Remember to say prayers as you throw flowers at Romney. That is a polite way to say good-bye.

Mark O said...

I agree. The first debate was a threshhold test. Romney passed. Unless he kisses Candy, this debate will change nothing.

Tim said...

But first, I have to make a sandwich.

French roll.

Ham.

Turkey.

Salami. Gallo Salami. From San Francisco.

Pepper Jack cheese.

Honey Mustard.

Mayo with Olive Oil.

No greens. That's for hippies.

furious_a said...

That gaggle of undecided voters taking their seats (watching on C-SPAN) is whiter than an Ivy's faculty lounge.

Chuck66 said...

Meade = smart. Obama will say rehearsed lines that will cause him to tread water, which isn't that bad for him.

Romney will do fine, but not destroy like he did in the last debate.

Nora said...

I noticed that media is not talking about Obama looking presidential as much as it was in 2008. They replaced that nonesense with likability. I think it will not take much longer until they forget this term too. Since next to Romney Obama does not look more likable either.

jrberg3 said...

Of course there is the wildcard of the questions that are selected. I would like to see a copy of all the ones submitted for,some clarity of why the ones read at the debate were chosen.

Mark said...

Obama has already lost the independent vote. He will be aggressive in an attempt to stir up his base enough so they will be fired up enough to venture out of their parent's basement in three weeks, that is if they can remember that its election day.

Anonymous said...

"...Obama has a way to change his image back into something we will love..."

Maybe you did, but WE never loved anything about him. I spotted his bad character the first month I learned about him.

Tim said...

"Stupid format if you ask me."

Stupid format for stupid people.

Why didn't they go to the developmental centers for an audience instead?

Those poor people have a reason for not knowing what's going on.

The morons here?

The least of us. Why did anyone think giving voice to the least informed, least involved a good idea?

Fuck the Debate Commission, and fuck CNN.

Everyone knows which way the ignorant voter goes.

The deck is stacked for Obama.

furious_a said...

From CNN coverage earlier today, looks like Candy's added some wave to her 'do. RRRRROWrrrrr....

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sunslut7 said...

Ann and Mead,
I think the critical factor may arise from Obama's need to demostrate to his (1) base, (2) the world and (3) himself that he is superior to Romney. He may see the passage of time during the debate as an incitement to 'score a knockout blow' and if Romney can remain calm it may 'seduce' Obama into doing something unwise or unkind. The pressure seems to be more on Obama because he has to reassure his base that he is not a loser and that he can take Romney down.

I don't think Obama can harm Romney in this debate. Romney only needs to repeat his performance from the first debate and he wins.

campy said...

I think the audience is stacked with undecided voters.

No, the audience is stacked with democrats who claim to be undecided voters.

Anonymous said...

@Tim - Collard greens on white bread with mayo. Southern 'redneck' classic from the cookbook "White Trash Cooking". One of Nancy Reagan's favorite cookbooks. Or so I've been told by family.

Gary Kirk said...

I think Obama will need to borrow Hillary's big-boy britches.

Nora said...

"That gaggle of undecided voters taking their seats (watching on C-SPAN) is whiter than an Ivy's faculty lounge."

You mean this will be the main spin, if Obama does not do well?

garage mahal said...

I just wonder if Obama can connect with anybody in Mississippi tonight.

#Punditry

cold pizza said...

Popcorn! 2-liters CokeZer0! Namesake in the fridge softly calling "nuke me! nuke me!" -CP

Freeman Hunt said...

I decided to live-blog this one. It has been a long time since I've done any blogging.

/creak /creak

"Where'd I put my oil can?"

Rick said...

Just when I think Althouse may be coming to her senses she suggests that Obama may not do something because that something would be phony?

chickelit said...

garage mahal said...
I just wonder if Obama can connect with anybody in Mississippi tonight.

He blew that load in NC.


Anonymous said...

They're both wearing the same shade of pink!

MadisonMan said...

Romney only needs to repeat his performance from the first debate and he wins.

That's certainly not a gimme, but I think you're right.

I'll be very curious to see the Ratings for this debate vs. the previous one. If they're down, Obama is toast. People will have decided on the first debate, and not care to watch again.

Chuck66 said...

Garage M says "I just wonder if Obama can connect with anybody in Mississippi tonight".

Well, Mississippi is 33% African-American. I suppose a lily white Madisonian is uncomfortable being around that many negroes.

mesquito said...

Instapundit just suggested that they should make all the debate questions public after the debate. Why the hell not?

clint said...

I worry.

I have this image in my mind of the moderator attacking Romney, making him try to navigate the fine line between appearing weak and appearing to be fighting with a girl -- while Obama just has to keep out of the fray to appear more Presidential.

Hoping to be wrong.

Tim said...

I bet Candy Crowley has more security than Christopher Stevens did.

edutcher said...

As I've said, it looks like Zero's prep was no different than last time except for some coaching on "style".

This will mean, once again, the Romster is ahead on issues, plus the fact he has been doing these town hall meetings the past week or so.

He will still be the clear winner. regardless. If there's a blowout, it will be, as several have suggested, it will be self-inflicted.

And, contrary to Ann, I think O will try to be something he's not, demonstrably so. What he was last time is the true Barry, petulant and sullen. Trying to be something else, like Joe, will only cause problems for him.

Nora said...

" And Romney has the advantage of knowing if he just acts like the person he really is, it will work ..."

I saw Romney on a couple of talk shows, and he comes through as remarkably sincere (regardless of whether he is, or fakes it). So much so that when attacked he makes the host look a bully. He is also very much in command when he needs to, and can fight back with grace without loosing his "sincerity" appeal. So I'm quite curious to see how he plays against more assertive Obama.

Diogenes of Sinope said...

1. Romney will probably be somewhat better than in the first debate.

2. Obama will have an underlying anger which will come out at times.

3. Obama will be better than in the first debate, how could he be worse?

4.Obama supporters unspoken fear: Obama isn't that much better and Romney is the same or better.

5. Another Obama loss, but this time only by 55% to 44% in the CNN after the debate poll.

6. Left will declare good is excellent and Obama won.

mesquito said...

I'll bet the first "undecided voter" is an 8 foot 7 inch yellow PBS employee who works in New York City.

furious_a said...

Well, Candy Crowley's mic has certainly gone rogue.

Tim said...

I wonder how many "undecideds" in the audience have Obama signs up in their yards?

chickelit said...

Inga said...
They're both wearing the same shade of pink!

Keep an eye on their footwork and hand gestures!

furious_a said...

I heard that Gallup actually found the last 82 undecided voters in the country.

AllenS said...

Everyone who voted the first time for Obama because he was a novelty, won't be voting for him this time. He's known. There's nothing new or fresh about him. There is the cost of gasoline and the ever rising cost of groceries that people are thinking about. Plus, there's that three letter word: JOBS.

the co-owner said...

Probably more plants in the "undecided" audience than in the garden section at Home Depot.

wyo sis said...

Why watch football or sit-coms? You already know what will happen and your mind won't be changed.

We watch because it's an event.

furious_a said...

Candy, you waven-haired vixen, you...

garage mahal said...

I suppose a lily white Madisonian is uncomfortable being around that many negroes.

NOT fair. I have negro neighbors right across the street from me. I'm on the dirty east side, holmes. And, I have Peruvians on one side of me, and Czeco-Greco something or another one the other side.

Halp!

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Romney is in a room filled with democrats and a pro-democrat moderator.

Tim said...

AllenS said...

"Everyone who voted the first time for Obama because he was a novelty, won't be voting for him this time. He's known. There's nothing new or fresh about him. There is the cost of gasoline and the ever rising cost of groceries that people are thinking about. Plus, there's that three letter word: JOBS."

I wish you were right, but I respectfully disagree.

Based upon a lifetime of observation, I believe anyone dumb enough to vote for him in '08 is too dumb to learn from their mistake.

I desperately hope I'm wrong, and you are right...but observation tells me I'm not.

wyo sis said...

She looks tired.

jrberg3 said...

Undecided voters in New York? Yeah, like they really matter.

furious_a said...

Long Island? Then the altitude shouldn't be a problem for the President.

Lyssa said...

Poor Jeremey! He looks so nervous!

john said...

Who sits down first?

Romney wins standing up!

Tarzan said...

Can't bear to watch these things live, so I'll be 'watching' it here.

Advice, given in secret, from Joe Biden to President Obama:

"NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR ART."

BarryD said...

Only now, at this late hour, do I realize that the debate would be moderated by Jabba the Hutt.

Anonymous said...

OK, so how's he going to do it, he didn't answer the question!

Tim said...

"ADDED: We're told by CNN's Erin Burnett that these supposedly "undecided" voters "in 2008, overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama." But they are "dead even split" in this election."

Why are Obama supporters so committed to lying?

wyo sis said...

Were bringing back an economy!

clint said...

Obama forgot to thank the audience and moderator...

Not a big deal, but odd.

Lyssa said...

Why'd the college kid go to college? To join a manufacturing job, apparently, according to the president.

wyo sis said...

We've gotta control our own energy?!? Yeah, then onto socialism as if that were on point.

Pastafarian said...

That's how Obama will get you a job kid, solar, wind, and universal college education.

furious_a said...

More Solyndra and Ethanol!

john said...

Inga - Pell grants, loan programs (ugh!). He did answer, you weren't listening (still fantasizing about Feix, I'll wager).

john said...

That's "Felix". Sry

Anonymous said...

So what is the 5 point plan?

Lyssa said...

Interesting that O seems to have taken up Romney's "point 1, point 2, point 3" style. Wonder if he'll keep that up (I don't think it's his style.)

Chuck66 said...

Good rehearsed first line. Reminds me of the time I got called into the office and had my speach ready to talk about what I offered the company.

Update......Detroit bankrupt line...good ad lib. I'm impressed. Romney is no wishy washy laid back John McCain.

Update...did Barry just say Romney would have cost Detriot 1M jobs?

wyo sis said...

Folks at the top!
I can see where this is going.
Hate the rich blah, blah, blah.

the co-owner said...

and Obama's response: "Everything this man said is bull----. Thanks you."

john said...

This is going to be boring. I think the Yankee-Detroit game will draw me away.

Chuck66 said...

"you can invest in a company and bankrupt it"

What the fuck...is Obama trying to loose this debate?

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

while we're waiting... Kablooweeee

bflat879 said...

Does Obama understand how stupid this sounds???
]

john said...

Obama doesn't know what banckrupty laws mean.

Chip Ahoy said...

Stick with your cartoon, Asshole, your straw man, your scarecrow.

Here comes the flame

And the moderator disallows rebuttal. But watch it come.

clint said...

Awesome second question!

Pastafarian said...

Sorry, Romney, but you're not allowed to respond.

TWM said...

Why does Obama always speak like HE. IS. PUTTING. PERIODS. IN. HIS. SENTENCES?

Shanna said...

I switched over momentarily but I can't watch these things. Obama just bugs and town halls are my least favorite format. I agree with pasta, these need to be in Friday nights so you go to a bar and get smashed.

john said...

Inga - Barack is getting shrill.

Tim said...

So, how long until Obama goes all class warfare?

Is there a guy with a Che T-Shirt asking him why he can't get laid yet?

furious_a said...

"...tossing out the pensions..."

...of white collar retires at Delphi. GM union restorers got their payoff.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

This looks like a more animated Obama.

bflat879 said...

Out energy consumption is the lowest in 16 years because 23 million unemployed people don't use as much fuel.

BarryD said...

Drill off California and in the ridiculous off-limits sections of Alaska, or SHUT THE FUCK UP, Zero.

bagoh20 said...

As you listen to these men tell you what they will do, please remember what they have done. People don't suddenly change when they get a new job, or a new contract. The strengths and weaknesses they have shown all their lives are same ones they will have in the future. Promises are either kept or not. For some people the action ends with the promise. I don't think we need anymore promises. The only promise you can really believe is "I promise to be the man I always have been." Choose the man - not the promise.

john said...

We have increased natural gas production.

We have increased coal production.

Maybe so, but WTF?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Remember.. the point of the debate is to get to the end and announce an Obama comeback.

Tim said...

Tigers v. Yankees, 0-0, middle 4th.

wyo sis said...

Exactly! Four years of policies and here we are with +$5.00 gas.

furious_a said...

All that natural gas is on state land. Obama's "we" got nothing to do with it.

Romney: BOOM!

john said...

Someone needs to start diagramming his sentences. Any English majors here?

rhhardin said...

Any decent plan has prongs, not points.

Tarzan said...

Why does Obama always speak like HE. IS. PUTTING. PERIODS. IN. HIS. SENTENCES?

Probably because he's being fed his responses one word at a time, via cranial implant, and he hasn't had enough practice with the process to make it all sound smooth.

wyo sis said...

Good! Keep yanking O back to his words and policies that clearly demonstrate his hypocrisy.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The energy question from the audience was better than anything I've heard from the media in the course of nearly four years.

Known Unknown said...

Why waste your time with this when you can watch Clint Dempsey kick Guatemalan butt on the pitch?

US up 3-1 with about 15-20 minutes left.

Pastafarian said...

Have a rebuttal mr president.

Tim said...

Gotta go.

Welsh Terrier needs to patrol.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Candy just handed Obama an out...

The "new normal".

JAL said...

@ Pasta (way back in the beginning): Am I the only one that feels physically ill before and during these things?

No.

I am 'watching' by reading the blogs and hemming some curtains.

I simply cannot stand watching, (even less listening to)Obama's lips moving.

Lies grate on my every last nerve.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Candy is an Obama fly girl.

Anonymous said...

Pointing out Romney hypocrisy, good, assertive.

wyo sis said...

Now Obama is an energy guru?

Chip Ahoy said...

The man sounds like a whining bitch.

TWM said...

"Pointing out Romney hypocrisy, good, assertive."

You're assuming he did it, which is a big assumption.

wyo sis said...

Fist fight!

Chuck66 said...

Romney wins with truthfulness agressiveness.

Chip Ahoy said...

A whole bunch

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Allright Romney!

Dont let him filibuster!

Tyrone Slothrop said...

If Obama says "investment" again I'll scream. It's an Orwellian euphemism for "government spending".

john said...

Did Mitt really shut down a coal plant?

the co-owner said...

"Let's get ready to RUUUUMMMBBBLLLLEEE!!!!!"

Anonymous said...

Romney argumentative, and too aggressive, is he doing a Biden?

wyo sis said...

Sure tell private companies how to run their business. Romney has the figures. How can Obama respond to that?

He can't.

edutcher said...

Lem said...

This looks like a more animated Obama.

The same could be said if he were doing a Daffy Duck impersonation.

john said...

Push him!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Romney just sat Obama down by getting on his face!

JAL said...

Not to mention his. delivery. always. stuns. me. considering. he. is. supposed. to. be. (speed up) articulate. And. a. very. magnificent. (speed up) orator. (Weird inflection at end to drive us. me. crazy.)

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Love the Romney Biden impersonation!

clint said...

Holy crap.

Romney just politely told Obama to stop interrupting and sit down.

And Obama did.

Tyrone Slothrop said...

Inga said...

Romney argumentative, and too aggressive, is he doing a Biden?



No, Romney is making sense.

wyo sis said...

Romney allows Obama to use some of his time, and then Obama thinks he owns it. Typical socialist thinking. What is yours is really mine.

Anonymous said...

Good quip Obama!

Lyssa said...

Gas prices were low because the economy was about to crash? What?

furious_a said...

"You'll get your chance in moment"

Oh SNAP!

Keystone pipeline...BOOM!

Pastafarian said...

Unlike the great economy we have now, price gases were lower when he took office...because of the bad economy.

Unbelievable.

Anonymous said...

Arguing with Candy, ugly.

john said...

Inga - you liked Biden. Do you like Romney too?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

That was a statement.. not a question.

Candy shut up!

bagoh20 said...

I thought we were gonna get a Dingle-Norwood there.

wyo sis said...

He got to say it!

Tyrone Slothrop said...

Candy is trying to give O first and last responses. Not fair.

Anonymous said...

Actually John, no I said Biden was a dick.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Buried!

john said...

Romney needs to stop grinning when Obama speaks. He will be accused of pulling a Biden.

wyo sis said...

O looks like a raptor! He's engaged alright!

mesquito said...

Lord, the economy really sucked when I was paying 85 cents a gallon.

TWM said...

Romney, like Ryan, has to debate two people. Not fair, but then Dems are never fair.

BarryD said...

High-paying manufacturing jobs?

Making WHAT?

Competing with Chinese near-slave labor, and robotic manufacturing?

Hey "progressives"! This isn't 1912, it's 2012. Trains are neat, and so are factories full of faceless workers with life expectancies in their 40s, but I don't want my future to be stuck 100 years in the past.

So, in short, go fuck yourselves in every hole, Obama and all his stupid supporters.

furious_a said...

For a moment there, Candy was losing control of the proceedings.

Anonymous said...

I will cut taxes 20 % across the board.

wyo sis said...

Impressive.

clint said...

Can't really see the seated candidate's face on CSPAN (not HD) -- how do they look?

edutcher said...

I hope the Romster decks Crowley the next time she interrupts (talk about punching above your weight).

Zero's answer on gas prices ought to go into the Science Fiction Hall Of Fame.

Either that or the Dark And Stormy night competition.

Chip Ahoy said...

Healthcare is a tax and that's not cutting

bflat879 said...

Obama's smiling because he really thinks his tax policy, along with the trillions in debt, make sense.

john said...

Ooh! Romney just stepped on the 3rd rail of entitlements: mortgage interest deduction. Most Repubs won't go along with that.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Romney's answer on taxes was very good.

Mary Beth said...

I'm sure that college kid was happy to learn about Obama's plan for more manufacturing jobs. I'm sure that's what he went to college for.

How much does the stress of the debate make Obama want a cigarette? When will the lack of nicotine begin to affect his performance?

Chip Ahoy said...

And no soliloquy is complete without class envy.

bflat879 said...

The president didn't get one Democrat to vote for his budget, what is he talking about?

Anonymous said...

Yes, again calling out Romney hypocrisy.

wyo sis said...

Tax credits grow the economy!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Obama is not believable anymore.

Mark said...

Mary Beth, I bet his back is covered with nicotine patches.

Lyssa said...

Can any economist explain how tax credits for college grow the economy?

"Feels good" doesn't mean "grows the economy"

Tyrone Slothrop said...

I'm for tax cuts for everyone, including the top 1%.

virgil xenophon said...

Obama is proving once again that he can lie as much as he wants because the average citizen is clueless about almost everything policy-wise...."if you can fool enough of the people enough of the time.."

Chuck66 said...

John, do you think it is right when the rich purchase an $800,000 home and can deduct the full interest expense?

Anonymous said...

Riiiigghhht, hire more people, sure they will.

pauldar said...

What a Clown. Obama just blamed high gas prices on the economy. Shows he has never been in a business or has a clue how it works. When no one buys your product, due to NOT having money, you lower the price, not raise it 200 %

Anonymous said...

So far Mittens is kicking ass.

Anonymous said...

So far Mittens is kicking ass.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Here have more Candy

wyo sis said...

When Romney says he can get small businesses back to work he's very believable.

Pastafarian said...

Here, have the last word again, mr president.

Phil 314 said...

"We don't have to live like this!"

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Obama's tax plan is "fairness".
Fairness for his cronies and donors.

wyo sis said...

OMG
OK, Candy just jumped the shark. This is outrageous.

Anonymous said...

"John, do you think it is right when the rich purchase an $800,000 home and can deduct the full interest expense?"

Yes. Next question.

Anonymous said...

Across the board 20%, Romney won't live that down.

john said...

Chuck66 - Actually no. I want the MID to expire, as fast as can be arranged.

Anonymous said...

The math doesn't add up, blows up the deficit, good work.

wyo sis said...

When Obama talks about money his ignorance glows!

Pastafarian said...

Cutting taxes equals spending now, interesting.

BarryD said...

I support cutting ALL funding to PBS -- it's a TV/radio network and many of those are profitable -- and ALL funding to Planned Parenthood.

I'm not "pro-life" or whatever. I just can't see ONE SINGLE THING that PP does, that should be paid for with money taken from me or you or anyone, by force, by the Federal government.

Chip Ahoy said...

Economics by a communist law lecturer. Isn't it a sight to behold?

I'm off to watch a puppy chase its tail.

edutcher said...

If Zero thinks he's going to get the vets' vote with his tax break to prospective employers after doing everything to discount their vote, he's dreaming.

He also looks like he's on something. That smile he's fighting with looks very weird.

It looked weird on Boris Karloff, too.

Joan said...

Inga, you're watching through your Obama-tinted glasses. You might want to take them off.

OTOH, I'm sure the majority of the media agrees with Inga, so we're just getting a preview of post-debate spin.

wyo sis said...

"Well, of course they add up!"

Sounds like a person with experience talking to a mouthy kid.

BarryD said...

Oh shut up, Jabba.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Obama is in position of lampooning Romney's plan where his own has created a deficit.

And Candy doesn't want to hear from Romney.

Mark said...

That line about having $4 gas because our economy is going so great is going to be the iceberg that finally sinks the Good Ship Obama.

Tyrone Slothrop said...

Candy cuts off Romney again. No shame.

Anonymous said...

Great question!!

Chuck66 said...

Dimwitted lady who thinks FEEEmailes are paid less then white men.

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