"BTW, what do the FR lefty liberals think about mega-moron Mahar tweeting a “teleprompter” shot at Barry??"

It reminds me of Mel Tillis. Heck of a country singer, but had a stuttering problem....UNTIL he had the words in front of him on a piece of sheet music. Who cares how the words are gleaned, their meaning is still the same.

In other words, BFD comes to mind on the Teleprompter thingy.

Expectations were set low for both Obama and Romney. Romney exceeded his expectations, Obama did not.

Obama 2012 Campaign Team - "Who wants to tell him he's no longer the champ?"

Willard wants to make Big Bird homeless!

Your identical twin can come live with you DF.

very interesting comments, very interesting commentaries after the debate. many of the left-wing comments sounds a lot like McCain supports form 4 yrs ago......

election is getting very interesting.

Wow...I didn't expect last night at all. My Orioles losing 4-0. Ok ok...was actually talking about the debate. Snap polls and almost every pundit agree that Romney won that debate rather convincingly (even Michael Moore and Bill Maher).

I watched the debate with a few friends (one Dem, one Rep, and 2 Indy's). All of them said the same thing...the President almost looks like he doesn't want to be out there. Fair or not, the optics just were not good, and to the casual viewer, they are important.

Somehow, the President spoke for nearly 4 and a half minutes more than Romney according to the CNN clock (which was pretty cool to see on the screen...not sure if MSNBC had the same). I thought Lehrer might as well have just said..."OK guys...you disagree with each other on a lot of issues. Have at it."

The key is going to be how the President prepares for the second debate and how Romney uses this new momentum.

Chris, Dorr, MI...

Congrats to Miggy...truly a great player and a phenomenal season. And of course, kudos to the Royals fans...very, very classy. I'm gonna be pulling my hardest for my Orioles, but traveling to Texas for a one-game playoff isn't exactly the best matchup. C'mon O's!!!! And of course, if my O's can't win, I will root for my second favorite team...whoever is playing the Yankees!! :-)

Happy Thursday all!!

Didn't watch the debate but siding with Obama and name-calling Romney... Classy and very educated comment, Chris!

@Grimey

And of course, if my O's can't win, I will root for my second favorite team...whoever is playing the Yankees!! :-)

I am flagging this comment and will attempt to have you removed from this board until November!!!!

Res ipsa loquitur.

Sure could have AM. But I didn't want to spoil your fun.

He is still not "likeable" and came across as nervous, giddy & a liar!

Hmmm... In CNN's post debate poll of registered voters, Romney came across as winning every single category. Economy, healthcare, leadership, and EVER likeability! (46% to 45% for Obama).....

You can try to spin it any way you want, but last night was the first time most Americans have really had a chance to see Mitt Romney actually talk about things in an unfiltered environment (as opposed to seeing media stories ABOUT him) and in that setting, they seemed to like what they saw and heard.

What Romney did last night was become a real, viable, candidate and not the detached goofball the media have tried to portray him as. He displayed a better grasp of the issues than the president did and controlled the debate from start to finish. I can see millions of Americans saying to themselves, "He's not at ALL like they've said he is."

I predict the polls will now move in Romney's favor and Obama could quickly find himself playing catch up. He was uninspiring, not well prepared, and seemed to believe he could show up, flash his smile, and dazzle America yet again. It just didn't happen.

Alan...

LOL...sorry dude. I can't help it. I was raised an Orioles fan and my mom raised me to root against the Yankees. If you take me to First Read court, I will plead to the jury that my upbringing caused that outburst. ;-)

One of the funniest moments was when NBC announced Andrea Mitchell as their "fact checker". Seriously??? Highly partisan, caught-red-handed, unapologetic liar Andrea Mitchell is your fact checker??? Bwahahahahahaha!

#nbcfail

Obama looked stoned ... My predictions Obama loses and Zimmerman walks ...

LIES!!! ALL ROMNEY DID WAS LIE!! This according to the liberals. Not quite so says fact check. There were some interpretation problems, but not a mention of a single lie. What about the lies Obama told? No mention of them by the liberals. Obama was pristine, reserved, so much so, liberals felt sorry for him.

What about this liberals? Romney 67 - Obama 25... polls have it like this across the board. Sounds like a landslide victory to me.

Of course the liberals will say Romney lied and I'm sticking with that, no matter what... why? Because it eases the liberals mind that Obama simply sucked.

Obama was the student last night and Romney was the teacher... how else could it have been? Obama is ill prepared to debate a businessman who actually understands how finances work... It was particularly entertaining when Romney said "Mr. President, you are entitled to your own airplane, your own home but not your own facts." That made me laugh out loud.

Eat the polls liberals and keep on spinning.

FACT: Tax cuts have NEVER created jobs, nor will they.

Perhaps you should tell the White House.

"I am just listening to the consensus among people who know the economy best. And what they will say is that if you either increased taxes or significantly lowered spending when the economy remains somewhat fragile, that that would have a destimulative effect and potentially you'd see a lot of folks losing business, more folks potentially losing jobs. That would be a mistake when the economy has not fully taken off."

Barack Obama 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlIiFFr_B8A&feature=player_embedded#!

The most poignant moment for me was when Romney challenged the President about using $86 billion for hiring new teachers rather than fronting loans to failed green energy companies.

That was masterful. The President looked a bit like a deer in headlights after that exchange.

Not surprised by the vitreal you guys are spewing- "didn't see it but Romney sucks anyway".

Last night's analysis: MSNBC was going crazy screaming at the President for failing in the debate. You've got to admit that they are the most on his side. CNN was fact checking against the President (4.4 million new jobs, but didn't tell that 4.3 million jobs were destroyed = net +100,000 jobs only) and they even analyzed the interruptions and determined that President Obama still got an additional 4 minutes of comment time over Romney during the debate!

The day after analysis:

Today's morning shows are saying that Romney overwhelmingly won. The only issues they are using against the debate are: ABC brought on puppeteers to complain about their industry going to waste via Romney, Cable news saying that Romney interrupted Lehrer, Cable news saying that Lehrer did a bad job. If that's all there is to say, then it's a clear win for Romney. Had he had ANY sighs, coughs, moves, comments, etc. that were within reach to go after they would have.

As to the content of the debate- I was finally glad that they started talking about small/mid-sized businesses! The reality is that companies with under 50 people (local businesses) typically file the business' costs on the owner's personal taxes. Think small roofing company with 3 trucks and a dozen workers. That business may do $500,000 in business in a year, but all of that "income" isn't the owner's income- it's the businesses income (minus all of the expenses of running the company- salaries, benefits, reimbursables, etc.). So the owner looks "rich" but the reality is that they are simplifying their lives by holding their company under their own taxes. Thus they aren't rich and would be unduely taxes as rich.

How ironic. Romney may have fooled you with that comment, but he sure didn't fool me. In the first place, the stimulus DID include money that saved many teachers' jobs, at least in the short term. Otherwise, unemployment would have been even higher than it was. That's a fact, Jack. And the President's American Jobs Act, which was blocked by the House, also included more money for teachers.

But ultimately, I believe it was Romney himself who said, we don't need more teachers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoSmWK_-x4g

Why, yes, come to think of it, it was. So, if you think Romney was saying last night he would spend more money on teachers, think again. Was he lying then or is he lying now?

Where did I or Romney say they were going to spend money on teachers? Romney was simply pointing out that the President CHOSE to spend money on Green Energy. He could have CHOSE to spend the money on teachers.

The fact that you make the point that he tried to CHOOSE both doesn't surprise me because Democrats (and George Bush Republicans) spend like drunken sailors and can't choose priorities because they want everything now.

tomilvento

Pretty sure he dropped some Viagra before the debate.

Obama bowed his head in shame. He is the furthest thing from a leader that this nation has experienced in years. I actually felt sorry for him. He seemed like a child up to the plate with very little ability connect the ball to the bat. Cringe (gentle clap). I honestly don't think he wants the job anymore.

Feisty:

Only problem for them the game isn't over... not by a long shot!

Completely agree. I think what last night did more than anything was two things. One, it gave Romney supporters a shot in the arm that they desperately needed. Two, and this is just my opinion, it gave a wakeup call to the President's campaign. I am gonna go out on a limb here and say that you will not see that same type of performance from the President next time. Expect some serious fireworks between them.

LOL... Obama got destroyed .. I wasnt voting for him anyways but the good news is many independents are now mor elikley to vote Romney !!!...

I sure Obama and the dems are nervous as hell .. you can see it in the "lies" attacks from all the lefties on this sight ...LOL ... truth is Obama is the liar and the sheep eat it up

FMHO - Romney looked prepared and energetic and Obama looked like Bush during his debate with Kerry. Tired and poised. Im sure they will correct that for next time. Will be interesting to watch Biden go nuts versus Ryan. It wouldnt surprise me if Joe started screaming to defend his boy. It'll be fun.

I am still confused about the denial of 5T tax cut but Romney but saying he will cut taxes. If Team Romney wants to do justice, he should submit his 1 page proposal just how he is to do it because the country is confused about that. If he did that, then they'd have a clear case. Until then, you are voting on blind faith for Romney and we had that with Obama.

The last 4 years have been terrible for this country and Democrats still blame the former president for it and now the first debate was terrible for the president and they decide to blame the moderator, is there anything out there that Democrats will take responsibility for?

I did support Obama first time around but this time around I was going to vote for Mitt just because he was the only other choice but after the debate I will vote for him because of how he did a great job and showed that he is capable.

Wow, amazing how far off and slanted you took what was said.

1) Romney wants to KEEP medicare as is for those retired and/or over 55, take the $716 billion in cost savings over the next decade which helped pay for Obamacare and leave it in medicare. The idea to the younger generation is give the option between medicare and private services.

2)Obamacare is great in theory and i support this 'type' of benefit BUT, the problem from my perspective is the outcome of the program. Good intentions don't always lead to desirable outcomes. The free market system has better incentives to find inefficiencies and drive cost out. The affordable health care act is attempting to put more people into the system to spread the cost out. Unfortunately in my view it doesn't have a likely impact to the overall cost of the system. You have an artificial floor in pricing because majority of the payments will come from government which will take away competition. Also the liability is huge, if cost continues to rise it will contribute to the deficit at a staggering rate.

3) Dodd-Frank, once again meant with good intentions is in essence making wall street feel all warm and fuzzy since the big guys basically can't fail. Read the act.

4) Romney stated that he will give tax breaks to businesses and leave the tax rate on the wealthy unchanged. Once again, amazing the difference between what is said and what is repeated.

5) Obama threw $90 billion out the window to insolvent businesses in 'green energy'. The $2.8 billion in tax breaks to oil and gas companies has been put on the table. The percentage hasn't changed in nearly a century. Additionally, much of the money helps the small drilling and refining companies. Once again, you forget easily one side and focus on another.

6) You continue to regurgitate misinformation in your last $5T statement. As Romney so often repeated every time Obama said as such, Romney proposes to offset his rate cuts and promises he won’t add to the deficit and NEVER stated he had a $5T tax cut plan. Do some research before speaking. Thank you and have a good night.

@Grimey

Hope this brings back some unhappy memories

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3345251

Clint Eastwood's empty chair could have had a better night than Obama did.

Thanks for the shout out Frank. I hope your O's win on Friday!

We have the same favorite second team :)

The Obama team, pouring over the history of the debates realized something key about who could be influenced by a debate on domestic policy on very nearly the eve of the election. They played to the fact that most people like Mr. Obama. While many of us watched out of curiosity or entertainment, the real audience were the "undecided" who might not be following the conflicting policies as closely as those of us who spend our lives at a white collar job at a desk with a computer--the people whose life is so full of just getting by that one television debate can make the difference for them.

The Obama team played it brilliantly. They played the race card. They played the socioeconomic card and they played the entitlement card. For a person like me it was crystal clear--arrogant rich white man representing the establishment tries to pound poor person of color trying to do his job to benefit us all.

Mr. Romney cut Mr. Obama off. Mr. Romney smirked and spoke forcefully as if what he had to say was all that mattered. Mr. Romney behaved as if it was at his forbearance that Mr. Obama was allowed to speak at all. Tactics for the boardroom not main street. And for Mr. Obama's part he played into that realizing quite accurately that his role, the role of the oppressed was the way 99% of America is feeling today. Empathy.

Republicans believe they "won" because this is exactly the area of their myopia. They lack empathy for the common man.

The insight was masterful. I applaud it.

Last night Obama was exposed as he truly is. He is not Presidential in any way. He does not understand economics. All he had was what his handlers taught him to say and he would keep repeating it. He has no Idea on how to lead a Country. That was very obvious to anyone who watched. He is a speech reader and nothing more. America deserves better. That was very obvious last night. It has been obvious for over four years to anyone with a brain. Last night proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that America is leaderless. Time for that to change.

in the case of style, Romney won this debate. In the case of substance neither man proved anything. Romney made some good points but lied, and Obama rarely answered the question.

Romney looks to have moved this election much closer than it has been in a long time, and I look forward to the other debates.

Redheaded Betty said:

So righties, do your little happy dances today, if we're feeling generous, maybe we'll toss you a crying towel on 11.7.2012!

When the dust settles and the facts are checked nothing will have changed for Team Willard!

If the reference to happy dances means that Obama lost last night, I appreciate the presumed honesty from the queen liberal on this board. Maybe the other liberals will follow suit and admit that Obama was handed his walking papers last night.

As far as the election goes, nobody knows the outcome just yet. Bravado is nothing but a belief in a hope. If the debate polling is a brief look into the future, it may indicate a landslide victory for Romney. So much for the liberals bravado. The polling results pretty much indicate that only the liberals seemed to think Obama won... That stands to reason since liberals seem to be the voting block that is particularly loyal to Obama. How else would Obama have gotten such a low poll last night?

As far as fact check, Obama had his facts skewed a whole lot more than Romney... In some instances Obama was lost in the woods.

So much for the lack of a teleprompter for the smartest man in the room.

Chris...You didn't watch the debate but hou have an opinion on the debate....this is why America is in serious trouble.

So that you know Romney was so focused on the debate that he was able to cover a great deal of information in a forum that only allowed minutes for discussion by each party. Obama never seemed engaged. He started out talking about what Romney would do and then would retract in a very strange way claiming that Romney had no plan. Romney explained his point of view on the Banking legislation by barney frank...explaining that the legislation had some merit but that specific parts of the legislation that deemed five banks to be too big to fail is a problem. He also went on to say that there must be clear definition of regulation and that the Banking regulation was not. He also discussed that well over 100 small, local, banks have had to shut their doors since the regulations were enacted he was very clear that there must be regulation on banks for our economy to work. To this Obama replied that Romney wanted toget rid of the Banking regulations.

Um, is the next debate supposed to be about foreign policy?

I sure hope so. We'll get Egypt, the Middle East at large, Libya, Obama ignoring the food shortages that led to the current situation, Obama ignoring the threats to the consulate in Libya, the FBI unable to land due to "conditions on the ground"- while CNN apparently has no such problem-

Oh, and this

http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2012/10/03/obama-we-would-have-tried-bin-laden-had-he-lived/1610329/

Bye, bye, Obama. It's been real.

LOL...that's it Alan...you are OFF my Christmas card list!!!!

I have absolutely no idea who this Romney guy is. What is Mitt Romney for or against? I have never heard so many right wing talking points and blatant lies spoken during a single debate question in my life. What Mitt Romney failed to deliver on last night was specifics and the facts. He is obviously a pathological liar and a cheat.

My guess is that the Obama camp may be suddenly deciding they want to slow the pace of early voting for a while. If independents were waiting to watch the debate before going to vote early this weekend, that's not good news for Obama because Romney came away the big winner.

The CNN post-debate poll had Romney winning it 67% to 25%. How big of a landslide was that? "No presidential candidate has topped 60% in that question since it was first asked in 1984," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. In the question whether the debate made the person more likely to vote for one candidate over the other, Romney won by a nearly 2-to-1 margin 35% to 18%.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/03/cnn-poll-romney-wins-debate-by-big-margin/?hpt=hp_t2

Two days ago, I posted the following:

The debates will be an opportunity for Americans to take a closer look at Obama, and to see how he responds to pointed comments that Romney will doubtlessly make about the Obama legacy. Many Americans are not aware of how the Obama administration has misled them on so many things, with the help of the mass media. Talk about the recent anti-American fervor in the Muslim Middle East. If you don't question what the Obama administration and most of the mainstream media is telling you about that, you're very gullible. Ask why the Obama administration insisted that it was about a Youtube video. Did you believe that?

For whatever reason, Barack Obama feels an unnatural compulsion to protect Islam from perceived "insults". We saw this in his attempts to intercede on behalf of the planners of the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" near the site of what was the World Trade Center, and we see it in the many comments he has made to the Islamic world and to Americans. Unfortunately, those Islamic leaders intent on harming us are smarter than we generally think they are, and they have shrewdly developed strategies to utilize Obama's emotional vulnerability for this purpose, thus they invented the Youtube video pretext specifically to appeal to Obama's vulnerability and Obama himself is unfortunately only too eager to be played in this manner.

So when you watch the debate, pay careful attention to Barack Obama's metamessage and ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the emotional vulnerabilities that he brings with him to the presidency of the United States of America.

Everybody's talking about how Obama appeared so disoriented during the debate. Can't you see how the full implications of his mental state are finally becoming evident?

BUT- win aside, one of the above is not a question that should be answered in the affirmative when considering the good of the country.

Ah, yes. Is that kind of like voting for Obama because he is "more likeable"? You mean like that? It is so important to be likeable that NBC even ran a story on it. Who gives a rat's ass if Obama is competent as long as he is likable.

HA HA HA HA!!!

I agree with the poster who said that the best part of the whole debate was Chris Matthews' rant afterwards. That was rich! Priceless!!!! Guess he doesn't have that "tingle" feeling now, huh? I am laughing my head off at how pissed he was that his hero dropped the ball. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ItsSimple, are you sure that's not GottaVoteAgain.com? After all you are talking about the Democratic party for whom even dead people vote multiple times.

I think President Obama did the best he could defending the indefensible. If I had to defend such a horrible record I would be reduced to a bunch of "ahhs" umms" and "errrs" too.

The chickens have come home to roost.

drive-by-observer

Mitt: "I have five sons. Sometimes you don't get the truth"

Translation: "my kids are accomplished liars, too".

I found this remark really strange. His 5 sons don't always tell the truth? His 5 sons are no longer children that like to stretch the truth. His sons are full grown adults.

But what I found even stranger is Romney's claim that we are all children of one God. I guess this was Mitt's another attempt at pi$$ing on another block of Americans: those who believe in a different God or no God at all.

So let's recap: Romney doesn't acknowledge the 47% and/or those who don't believe his God?

Obama either seemed to be thinking more about the "Anniversary sex" he was going to be getting after the debate, or he was thinking he just might vote for Romney himself.

I couldn't figure out which one it was.....But I did figure out that Romney is still a liar!

SALVE

Feisty is having a meltdown eh? Thats ok, yesterday she was already setting up the talking for the day.

Albany Joe how the heck do you stomach MSNBC tv? I tried to watch it after the debates and the 4 horseman were together. Matthews I think had some tingly legs but only after the cathater broke. Man that guy has some serious BP issues imagine. Rev Sharpton was like Bev from chicago in here. Nonsensical.

Anyways the Prez wasnt too bad but Romney did give it to him. It was a pretty good debate, it was civil. Obama did make some key points but Romney did call Obama on the carpet with his policies and evidence is the last 4 years. Kinda hard to defend that. That explains why many Obama thralls like Feisty et al can't do it. The Prez can't. This is the First time president had to defend his policies without a telepromter and a cherry picked audience.

No more 4 44

So, Clint Eastwood WAS right.

The president had a chance to put Romney down and never let him up and he did not take it. I do fault him for that. But to say Romney won because of how he carried himself in rhetoric but not the factual nature of his rhetoric is just plain stupid. You ever see an argument between two people that have a difference of opinion where one says... "Im just going to win this argument by pulling $hit out of my ass" and when the argument is over, the liar is proclaimed the winner because of how he pushed the other guy around with non-facts?? That is just plain stupid... This is not over folks.. there are 3 more debates and facts will have to come out because facts are important and, well they are facts after all...

"I thought NBCNews was Obama's lapdog? How does this headline fit into that scenario?" - Starderup

With 60 million people watching and 40 million likely drawing the same conclusion even a lapdog like NBCNews can't sugarcoat it. Obama had his butt handed to him.

Byron...

Once again...nothing could ever possibly be Mr. Obama's fault to the synchophants.

Now even his lousy debate performance gets blamed on somebody else...how typical !

Chris,Dorr,MI - Why can't Obama tell Middle Class Amercans how much he has helped them? Because there are NO facts that back your spewing up!

I did not watch the debate with rose-colored glasses. While President Obama did not give a great performance, he certainly did not fail either. Romney did not do a stellar job either and that is the truth. If the media types are declaring Romney the winner simply because he talked more, then I guess telling a plethora of lies and flip flopping on his own tax plan he's been running on for 18 months, not providing specifics on anything which the media declared he must, claiming he'll repeal ObamaCare and replace it with ObamaCare went unnoticed and is to be ignored. Sad commentary on the media, I'd say. The debate was a tie with President Obama having the edge on facts, the edge on gentlemanly behavior; and Romney the edge on looking at our President and into the camera--never mind the look of a cat that swallowed a canary smirk.

"It takes some balls to stand on stage, look Lehrer in the eye and tell him he would FIRE him!"

Welcome to the real world !!!

txmom32

Chris...You didn't watch the debate but hou have an opinion on the debate....this is why America is in serious trouble.

The only reason America is in trouble is because anyone would believe anything robmehood has to say.

am I not allowed to comment because I didn't watch robmehood lie to the American people last night? and you think I'm going to take your assessment as fact? put down the joint and watch some baseball.

if I have an interest in wanting to hear the lies for myself, I know how to find the tape; I certainly didn't ask for, nor do I give a rats @$$ what your opinion is.

no txmom....I think you might be part of the problem you perceive as "America in trouble".

hey Chris Dorr

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy

no more 4 44 because America deserves better

To all my GOP friends, congratulations, enjoy it while you can. I'll leave you to your end-zone celebrations. Spike that football. Beat your chests and enjoy your moment. I really don't think it will last.

oh skip, Obama had to defend himself in front of his challenger without a telepromter and cherry picked audience. You guys have been prancing around for weeks, months, years now with Obama the Great. Now you see he doesnt walk on water and indeed is human. I suspect the race card will be played soon by some of your cohorts.

I will agree Obama will not look like he did last night in a couple weeks. But Romney wasn't a slouch last night. Obama underestimated (arrogance) Romney.

Anna Molly said: Of course, they liked it. Romney lied, start to finish, and contradicted himself over and over again.

Anna - this is a standard liberal talking point. It's been said about Romney over and over again... so much so liberals have come to use it all the time. The only problem is, Fact Check doesn't agree with you. Are you going to say that Fact Check lies too? If you are, you must have information about presumed Romney lies that aren't available to the general public.

Now you have two choices to make. One, start explaining to everyone specific lies, or two, stop making the statement if you can't prove where he lied.

Since you stated that he lied from start to finish, that means that everything he said was a lie... everything! Come on Ms. Private Fact Checker... expose them all. I am waiting for your proof.

AM: Of course, they liked it. Romney lied, start to finish, and contradicted himself over and over again. But people who haven't been paying attention don't know that.

No. They've been paying attention to the Lefts unequivocal paranoia over Romney's tax returns, the dog on his car roof, what fancy clothing his wife wears, how the family horse is doing, asking about elevators in one of his houses. What fun that has been for the Left.

Now reality hits, and the issues that affect the country are being discussed. The ones that people are concerned about when they have to decide to pay the mortgage, or the phone bill. Ones where they have to decide on whether to take one extra job, or two, or just try to keep their own just to try and keep up. They see the value of their homes sinking, and their 401Ks being depreciated of there buying power. They fill up their cars and see it's costing closer to a $100 than to $50. They buy a loaf a bread, one that used to cost $2, and now costs $4.

All of a sudden now Romney has the upper hand when reality hits. When the reality of 4 years of promises that did not happen, 4 years of record deficits that did happen, 4 years of a devalued dollar, 4 years of promised jobs that did not happen, 4 years pitiful drop growth, 4 years of failed "green" energy boondoggles. 4 years of telling us it will take 4 more years.

There are no lies AM. Just realities.

Wanna talk about dogs on roofs today AM? I will, if it will make you feel better.

WOW! Not only did Romney win the debate. But, he did it in KNOCKOUT fashion! He was clear and concise with his answers. He didn’t allow Obama to define him, and he clarified his position on taxes, and healthcare for the elderly in a way that prevents Obama and Biden from continuing to LIE about his plan.

Romney also pointed out that it’s Obama who would take $716 billion out of the Medicare system for existing “subscribers”. Something that nobody has talked about so far.

Obama looked frustrated, uncomfortable, and “stiff” in front of the camera. His answers were “choppy” and repetitive. He tried to attack Romney’s tax plan, and got the smack down put on him when Romney stated he would not cut taxes at the expense of growing the deficit.

By the way, for all of you who are undoubtedly going to say that the moderator allowed Romney too much time; CNN reported after the debate that Obama actually spoke a total of 4 more minutes than Romney.

But, for me the most impressive part of the evening was when Romney spoke directly to the American people. He knows and understands what we are going through, and actually wants to take on the task of fixing this economy.

As for the media’s reaction; I actually have to commend Chuck Todd for his honest evaluation of this debate. When he first came on camera after it was over, I expected a “snow job” of the sort we’re used to seeing on MSNBC. But, he was straightforward and his analysis was spot on. I did notice the expression on David Gregory’s face though, when he was talking to Brian Williams. It was as if he’d just lost his best friend. Brokaw looked the same way. I get the impression they expected Obama to roll all over Romney, and they looked a little disappointed that he didn’t do it.

I also noticed “the company line” by NBC last night was, “this debate reminds me Bush vs. Kerry in 2004.” That, of course was an election in which Kerry won the stand up debate between the two. But, lost the election.

I don't see it that way at all. Last night’s debate reminds me of Clinton vs. Bush in 1992. Bush was a popular wartime President, with a bad economy. His challenger was a young, nationally known Governor who needed a “game changer” to win the election.

Obama has been blessed to have “decent” approval ratings these last four years, and he is the President who gave the order to go in after Bin Laden. He has a bad economy, similar to Bush 41, and his ex-Governor challenger needed a game changer last night (which, he may well have gotten).

The similarities are striking.

So, round one goes to Romney. It will be interesting to see how much of a “bounce” he gets out of this, how/if he sustains it, and to see how the Obama camp responds. I suspect we’ll be hearing a lot about the 47% “stuff” in the next couple of weeks.

All in all, last night’s debate showed us that this thing is not the “cakewalk” Obama’s supporters keep telling us it would be. He is vulnerable on a number of issues, not the least of which is an economy which he has FAILED to fix these last four years.

Can’t wait for “rounds two & three” on the 16^th, and 22nd!

Obama is ONE & DONE.

NO MORE for 44!

Lets's make this economy alive, and elect 45!

DEMOCRATS FOR ROMNEY 2012!!!!!

For Obama's sake I hope Ass-Kicking is covered by Obamacare............

In response to this:

I found this remark really strange. His 5 sons don't always tell the truth? His 5 sons are no longer children that like to stretch the truth. His sons are full grown adults

He compared Obama to a lying, petulant child. And Obama didnt dispute it. It was pretty much considered the coup de grace last night. Read some less biased commentary on cnn and you will see what I mean.

JoAnnaSmith1

I am curious to see if you can come up with the answer. Romney says:

"I don't have a $5 trillion tax cut. I don't have a tax cut of a scale that you're talking about."

Can you provide proof that Romney was not lying about the $5 trillion loss in revenue? Romney's "Trust me" doesn't qualify.

If Romney won the instant reactions from last night’s debate, it is more than possible that the Obama camp can win the next 24 hours. Why? Because Romney said several things that could make life difficult for him today or in the next debate.

The reality is just that.

Romney can run, he can lie, he can distort, he can attack, he can flip and he can flop, he can pretend to be someone else...but he cannot escape reality. We've got him on video.

We know that President Obama is a man who learns from experience. He will do better in the next debate because now he knows exactly what Romney's debate strategy will be.

We all need to help re-elect the President by keeping the truth out there. This is not the end of the game, friends.

Romney plays checkers...Obama plays chess.

Here's just a few of the Obama lies.
Would have the most transparent administration in History
Didn’t know Jeremiah Wright was Radical
Minimum Wage will increase to $9.50/hr
Obama campaign would accept public funding
No more wiretapping of citizens
Guantanamo bay to be closed within a year
I am not somebody who promotes same-sex marriage.
Unemployment rate will be 8.5% without stimulus.
Health Care deals will be covered on C-span
Cut Deficit in Half by end of first term
Obama says he’ll save average family $8,000 in gas
We shouldn’t Mandate the purchase of health care
The Health Care Package will pay for itself
We have run out of places in the US to drill for oil.
ObamaCare Fee is not a new tax
The health care bill will not increase the deficit by one dime.
Fence between US and Mexico is “Practically Complete”
My budget will cut the deficit by $4 Trillion over 10 years.
Romney and Ryan will gut pell grants for low-income college students.
I don’t Have Lobbyists
I’ll get rid of earmarks

Look, you can't have it both ways. You can't have a President Romney who is aggressive and kicks ass, and also a President Romney who will be all chummy with Democrats when there is a serious disagreement and work to find a solution.

We already know what happens when we have a President who is aggressive and kicks ass. Our children will be paying for an illegitimate war that he started by being aggressive. Do we really want another one.

We are told that as a businessman, a President Romney will turn the economy around.

When President Obama took office, the economy was in freefall and unemployment was headed upwards. The economy is improving now, very slowly, but it is improving.

Do we really want a President who will turn that around? Because "turning around" means headed downwards again. And do we want a President who doesn't realize that things ARE actually getting better? Who tells us that "he will turn it around?"

no more 4 44 because America deserves better

Obama 2012 - "4 44 - Soon to be the price of a gallon of gas."

Its HI-LARIOUS that Feisty et al yesterday evening was shouting about how the RWNJ's disappeared as it grew closer towards the debate time. Hey Feisty, face it youre pathetic. Now go back to claiming that i use proxy server to be a rereg. So like you're canidate lie your way around life.

Once again...nothing could ever possibly be Mr. Obama's fault to the synchophants.

Now even his lousy debate performance gets blamed on somebody else...how typical !

Did you actually pay attention to the debate? Or were you so busy cheering you didn't listen to what they were actually saying? I suggest you watch it again. You will see that every time Romney said something about policy, Obama explained the ramifications of Romney's suggestion. It is obvious that Obama has already thought through everything that Romney said, and has gone farther than Romney.

THIS is the reality of the debate. If you want to claim that Obama's sophisticated understanding of the issues means that Romney won, fine, be my guest.

It has always been a problem in the national debate - the Republicans don't understand nuance. To you, the guy who says "on the other hand" is the guy who lost.

Unfortunately, the real world doesn't work like that. It is very, very complicated and if you want to do something right, you have to have subtle ideas and subtle solutions.

Obama 2012 - "4 44 - Soon to be the price of a gallon of gas."

Its that 90billion to green energy LOL. I am wanting to watch Ryan debate the grapefruit Biden. 3 letters J O B S . HAHAHAHA Hey Chuck stand up. that one not so funny

Hey Byron, I think you have it backwards, CNN even was saying Obama didnt perform well. The debate wasnt favorable to Obama. If you are going to Romney fakes sincerity and lied, than you are being intellectually dishonest that Obama didnt attempt the same. Except we have 4 years of proof that he had trouble defending.

Mitt won the debate, but did he win? The president looked weak and Romney looked well prepared.

The real question is, whose policies, whose vision do you prefer? Winning or losing a debate doesn't mean your policies are any better? Heck, Mitt's policies may end up destroying the economy and further dividing the country along income lines.

I view both of these people as very different, very far apart and I'm not sure I like either vision in its totality. If only we could pick and choose the good stuff from both.

Isn't there another candidate that is a true moderate? That's not bought by special interests? That doesn't care about party lines? That makes decisions based on a free mind and a free will?

Or am I just living in fantasy land?

AM: And there you go again, trying to create the impression that I'm the one who's unstable.

You really don't need my help for that one.

Well. The answer, as always, is no. I'd prefer to talk to a human being.

Troubled today AM? Please, I'm here to help.

David Gergen had it right last night. Nobody has talked to the Messiah like that since he was elected. The all worshiping press could not believe what happened. The Emperor has no clothes. Just loved watching MSNBC last night, the look on Chris Mathews face was priceless. The poor guy who was moderating was also stunned, I think it was a guy? Can anyone tell me what the hell Rev. Al (The truff) Sharpton was saying? Obama was exposed.

I'm guessing that many of you liberals have no idea concerning the decorum of a debate. And hyperventilating, while desperately screaming "Romney lied!", doesn't help your point at all. I watched the debate from start to finish, and from what I saw, it only took about 15 minutes for Mr. Romney to make Mr. Obama look like the rank amateur that he truly is. The body language told it all! Mr. Obama looked like it disgusted him to even look at either the moderator, or Mr. Romney, while Mr. Romney looked Obama straight in the eye, every time he attempted to make a point. "Desperate and rude"??? Gov. Romney came across as a capable, and knowledgeable leader, his opponent, much less so. Without the teleprompter, and coddling from the media, the world seen Mr. Obama for what he truly is, a leader that believes in "trickle-down-government", and failed policies that are hurting our great Nation.

I predict that in the end Romney will pull it off and win, however he will be a 1 term president and during the debates in 2015 his challenger will say "in 2012 you criticized President Obama for spending $90 billion on green energy while in your 4 years a president you spent over $2 trillion on military spending to pay back you campaign contributors. You cut taxes which resulted in adding another $5 trillion to the debt, and unemployment is at 12%."

Amy B. Portland, ME Comment collapsed by the community

Was I watching the same debate everyone else was?

My thoughts exactly! I went to be last night wondering how Mitt could lie so much and stand up there looking so phony and smarmy and so many people bought it! I think our president did a great job and definitely made points that I was looking for. Mitt just reiterated exactly why I would never in a million years vote for someone so completely unethical!

Last night, Romney unveiled his latest version upgrade...

Romney 10.0

"The Democratic candidate."

He's for SS, Medicare, Medicaid, Teachers, the poor, the sick, veterans, students, seniors, Taxes for the rich, no taxes for the middle, will provide national health care, etc. etc.

WTF???

He will say anything.

Obama couldn't argue with him, there was nothing to argue about.

Fact checkers are going to enjoy his hyperbolic BS.

Romney was so hungry he just couldn't wait for his turn.

Obama was expecting lies and he dealt with them by not getting caught up in that web.

The President IMO did right and kept his cool, despite the obvious that he wanted to strangle Rongme.

You cannot argue with a pathological liar.

All Rongme did was cater to every policy the democrats support and Obama was shocked.

Romney didn't get challenged with the questions that matter.

People who like Romney are going to be proud of the lies, they're used to them.

Obama's supporters like me wanted to see Romeny get beat up.

Too bad for me, Obama stayed Presidential on this first debate, good for Obama, good for the Nation.

Romney is going to get beat up by the fact checkers ...

• “I don’t have a $5 trillion tax cut” ~ Romney
• " I wouldn't cut taxes on the wealthy" ~ Romney
• "health care law cuts $716 billion from Medicare" ~ Romney
• "122 community and small banks have closed since the Dodd-Frank financial reform law passed " ~ Romney
• " Energy production is down on federal lands because of Obama" ~ Romney
• "I would not cut money for education" ~ Romney
• "will create 12 million new jobs during my first term" ~ Romney
• "Half of companies receiving energy breaks went out of business." ~! Romney
• "Health care costs have risen $2,500 per family per year under Obama" ~ Romney
• "The personal tax rates for the wealthy would kill jobs " ~ Romney

Bottom line, no one likes a liar.

This was not a win - lose debate.

It was a platform to send the most people your message.

Obama did it, and made Romney send more messages that he wanted.

Romney doubled down on vouchers, privatization and more tax discounts for the rich and corporations.

Mittens is a good used car sales person.

Only idiots will buy his lemons.

Listen, I pay attention to politics. I seek information from multiple sources. I take the time to do the math. I know extremely few people do this or even think it's important or that their vote matters. I know those few that do are most likely fellow bloggers and we don't really need to convince each other.

I don't need calm Obama while Romney buries himself in lies and distortions. Those people aren't going to discover the truth for themselves. We will...in our corners... but the majority won't. We need a fighter to beat people over the head with facts and their best interests during the debates.

Obama doesn't need more yes men to tell him "You did a good job last night Champ". He needs to hit the showers, rest up, and come in ready to fight. Not with gimics. Not with quiet clever political strategy. Not answer his first question about the economy with "Hey Michelle, I love you." He needs to passionately speak as an adult to adults with facts, policies that work, and how his plans are in the people's best interest. He needs to expose Mitt Romney as though no one has any knowledge of who he is and inform them of how Romney is not in their best interests. That's how he's going to win this elections.

Last night was a disgrace and I won't paint in any other way.

I very much agree with "David Walkers" piece above, with certain exceptions. This was not a debate. It was in fact, a tirade of lie spewing by Romney. Almost everything He has campaigned for up to now, He went totally against last night. I mean everything from "health care, taxes, and business regulation. I contend, if the right actually thought Romney was serious, most of It would have keeled over and died during His harangue. They knew though, He was only posturing. The Moderator, and, apparently the rules of the format, were either non existent, or beyond "Jim Lehrers" ability to enforce them. Meanwhile, the President, rather than going after Romney, armed with a litany of reference from, and by Romney, chose rather to conduct Himself as the perfect, political "uncle Tom", and remain, head down and silent. Once, Romney chimed in, in loud agreement with the President; "He's right". "Where we put our money is where our hearts are". Why the President didn't come back with, at least something, telling the audience, that Romney then must not have His heart in this country, since He keeps His money in the Cayman Islands and Switzerland. Piss poor! All around, very piss poor!

Mitt won the debate, but did he win? The president looked weak and Romney looked well prepared.

The President looked sophisticated. Romney looked like a cowboy. Is that winning? Did we win the Iraq war, lead by another cowboy President? Have we won Afghanistan?

We DID win against al-Qaeda, when we got bin Laden. Remember who that was?

Reality is complicated. Romney's shallow solutions don't work. We have already tried them.

Sophistication and an understanding of complexity is not weakness. I cannot understand why this needs to be explained to adults. So many Democrats are behaving like a 12-year old girl who is shocked that her father spoke calmly to a rude drunk instead of punching him in the face.

And I am talking about the debate itself, not the general environment. To me, Romney lost; he demonstrated he doesn't understand what it takes to be President.

I don't understand your lack of understanding. Maybe that is my weakness.

Troubled today AM? Please, I'm here to help.

JS1, lost cause. AM is too busy quid pro quo'ing her legal buddies. You know for the people. HAHAHA. I suspect the poor Obama acolytes finally got a wake up call that their Idol indeed doesnt walk on water, can't unite, hasnt turn the tides back, and just doesnt have the Midas touch. I think our progressive friends are just a little shell shocked.

The President looked sophisticated. Romney looked like a cowboy. Is that winning?

Byron, now who's cheerleading. keep those blinders on.

We DID win against al-Qaeda, when we got bin Laden. Remember who that was

Al Qaida is still here silly. I dont know how you claim that victory over Al Qaida or did you just forget the recent Libya deal?

Is the liberal media finally going to admit that the Emperor has no clothes... or desperately attempt to keep up the charade to postpone their embarrassment for having swallowed the hype?

"Even on the most basic political points, Obama seemed clueless."

http://news.yahoo.com/after-the-debate-debacle-for-obama--we%E2%80%99ll-find-out-if-we-have-a-race.html

P.S.

Loved the KitchenAid tweet.

Reading all of these Far Left doorknob rants, just proves one thing to me....Romney hit a home run last night and no one is coming to their rescue, not even MSNBC. Matthes, Maddow and Axelrod calling Romney a liar, in Matthews case, a big fat liar, just showed how ridiculously childish they are.

Just saying.....

I am andem who voted for Obama - I think it is time many of you need to watch stuff like this. It is very tellin

So how long before the religious right figures out that the 17,000 cap on deductions will hit churches. They probably are not to worried about the mortgage interest on their trailer. Cancer research, little league, political contributions, just about any non-profit will see a decline in donations. Of course it probably won't bother Mitt, he blew off 2 million in deductions this year.

Anna Molly said:

Like Paul Ryan, I simply don't have time. Besides, you're the one who said that Obama's facts were more skewed than Romney's. I'm still waiting for you to give me that example I asked for. Just one.

Can't do it, can you?

What "Fact Checker" are you talking about, anyway? The one that works for Fox News?

Of course Anna... who has the time? Maybe you should make time since you are the one spewing out misinformation.

(1) Obama: Over the last two years health care premiums have gone up, it's true... but they have gone up slower than anytime in the past 50 years.

FACT: Not so concerning premiums. Premiums have risen $2,400 since 2009 according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. In 2011 premiums rose 9%. That is faster than economic growth and wages combined. Was it a lie? Sure it was... for the smartest man in the room to say that premiums have gone up slower... he should know better

That's one... Much more than you have provided concerning Romney's lies. See Anna, you say things without proof. Makes your argument very weak.

Albany Joe how the heck do you stomach MSNBC tv?

_________________________________________

CA: It's the best comedy on cable TV. I even rate it higher than Jon Stewart because he realizes he is doing a comedy show. The prime time Stooges on MSDNC think they are "journalists" and don't have the first clue thay are doing a comedy show, and neither do their loyal lefty liberal viewers.

LOL!!!

Chris,

You set a great example. Watching three games at once and then you come on here and comment on the debates. A majority of Americans are sports watching zombies. If everyone cared about the national debt as much as the replacement refs then our country wouldn't be so screwed up. So, you all say that Romney lied, where is your intellectual honesty when the president lies?

Brianb1956

LIES!!! ALL ROMNEY DID WAS LIE!!

What about this liberals? Romney 67 - Obama 25... polls have it like this across the board. Sounds like a landslide victory to me.

Those rabid, racist are the ones who gave credence to those mythical poll numbers that that lyin POS, Romney won. When the facts come out the undecided I believe will see for themselves just how much of an insincere jerk MYTH is. As I stated earlier MYTH definitely needed to move the dial for a game change; but in the end when the truth comes out it will be game over for Romney!!

MYTH is just like you he does not care about the 47%, he shakes it like a salt shaker, and he lies like a rug.

BTW: Don't you think that stupid a** F***ker Carslson, Sludge Report, FOX White Noise re-posted video may have had some impact on way the President played nice guy last night?

If he was zapping MYTH he'd be angry black if nice he'd be weak. With rabid racist you can't win.

4 more 4 44

Not since Jimmy Carter faced Ronald Reagan has the U.S. presidency been so embarrassingly represented in public. Actually, that’s an insult to Jimmy Carter!

The split screen was most devastating. Mitt Romney spoke forthrightly, with
carefully studied facts and details at the ready. He looked right at the president and accused him of being miles out of his depth.

Last night Obama was 'outed'! The annoited one/Emperor has no clothes!

Romney/Ryan 2012 sounds sooo good right now!

i like alot of the responses obama suked and it was someone elses fault! im almost 60 a veteran and a proud american! obama is an embarrassment!

Anyone who has children, which apparently a lot of you don't, knows that you do NOT get the whole truth and nothing but the truth all the time. Mitt is willing to admit that as opposed to Oblameo who is still trying to blame everything on Bush. If Oblameo ever starts telling the truth, that should make headlines.

Oblameo must have shot up before starting last night. He looked dopey and out-of-sorts, eyelids at half mast, stuttering, slow talk. I hope some of the liberals wake up and realize their emperor has no clothes.

Liberals, progressives, etc, need to take a look at Oblameo's background and see by whom he has been influenced over the years. I think you will be surprised to see a lot of self-proclaimed communists, socialists, etc, on that list. And this is what you want for another four years? God help us all should this come to pass!

What I could not believe is the President was nodding his head as if in agreement with Romney when Romney was attacking Obama's own policies! Why on Earth did he do that?

TO: Dave D-1046643 who wrote:

"...Romney hit a home run last night..."

Wackos would have said that no matter what.

As for Romney's "style", he acted like he had either had about a dozen "Red Bulls" or a few lines of coke, he was talking so fast.

In between Romney's rants, he had a way of smushing his nose and tight lips together and turning them both red at the same time.

Obama/Biden 2012

Al Gore gave the best one last night.... It was the altitude why Obama didn't preform well!

That's Funny!

“He that is good at making excuses is seldom good for
anything else”.. Benjamin Franklin

Stylewise, I liked it when President Obama looked directly into the camera and spoke to the American people.

I was glad the President put the recession in context, pointing to the two wars and Bush tax cuts that drove up the deficit. I also liked it when President Obama identified home owners who bought houses they couldn't afford, during the housing bubble, as part of the problem. as well as the banks that lent the money. Overall, I liked Obama's rational, cool style over Romney's hyperventilating aggressiveness.

Face it Libs, Obama is not a good man, leader, President!

This story's headline says "Romney helps himself".... a bit of an understatement wouldn't you say? If this were a football game the final score would be Romney 100, Obama 0

Like JoannaSmith1 said, Romney was debating an Empty Chair!

According to liberal CNN's poll this morning, Romney won 75%-25%. Yet, the First Read Club of Liberal Loudmouths blames it on lies, the moderator, blah, blah, blah. Little Red Feistyhood and her band of Badmouthers need to face reality: your glib hero got his ass kicked.....rather soundly, and he did so becaause he has absolutely no record of accomplishment to support his ideas with!

Anna - How about some more?

Obama accused Romney of proposing a $5 trillion tax cut. Not true.

Obama again touted his “$4 trillion” deficit reduction plan, which includes $1 trillion from winding down wars that are coming to an end in any event. How can it reduce the deficit since they are borrowed dollars?

Obama claimed that “over the last 30 months, we’ve seen 5 million jobs in the private sector created.” Obama’s figure is nearly half a million jobs short, according to current Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total Brian - 4, Anna - 0.

To all my libbies friends here at First Read, I give you a whole hearted Nelson form the Simpsons:

HHHHHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

To my pal AnnaMolley - what's the matter got not billable work to do this fine morning?

The emperor has no clothes....

Vote for Obama if you want "trickle down government".

TO: nazarite who wrote:

"Face it Libs, Obama is not a good man, leader, President!"

He's better than Mitt Robme!

Obama/Biden 2012

If the Romney people want to look at last night as a win, I guess that's up to them. My questions regarding Romnomics remain unanswered. His numbers don't add up to a more solvent government in my mind.

I wouldn't call it a win for Obama either. It didn't seem like either's heart was in it. You people who are so excited about this so-called win, aren't really seeing the picture clearly. I don't know, maybe Romney performed better, but he certainly didn't say anything that should swing an undecided voter.

I don't think either side benefited at all from this performance.

Stylewise, I liked it when President Obama looked directly into the camera and spoke to the American people.

Yeah cuz that's what really matters!!!...How obumbo looked at the camera....

Nevermind the 23 MILLION Americans out of work....

Yep "STYLE" will feed the masses!!!

YOU JUST CANT FIX STUPID!!!

ROMNEY FTW!!!

...

Funny how liberals claim to listen, but they certainly do not hear. Romney was very specific last night, and even so Obama continually spouted the Democratic talking points as if saying it repeatedly makes it a fact. Romney laid out a plan to lead not to dictate. Romney says he will go to Washington and work with both parties to move his plan forward, something he has done successfully in the past. Obama went to Washington demanding it be his way, and as such he failed to lead, and never sought compromise. Romney not only took Obama to debate school, he appeared to actually know the issues in detail. Maybe Obama should have actually tried to be president the past four years, instead of only acting the part.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Obama exposed for the piece of crap leader he is!

MSNBC in full meltdown last night! Priceless!

HEY BIDEN: YOU'RE NEXT MORON!

Too bad no one can get a shot at them pieces of crap Pelosi & Reid!

Romney/Ryan 2012

If YOU'RE going to call someone an idiot....

Romney definitely came off better than be has been during the campaign, but he still needs to lose the smirk and start talking about how he's going to bring jobs for US Citizens back to the USA. I liked the tone of the debate and how they kept referring to how bottom parties need to work together.

Our economic problems didn't happen overnight. It's been happening over the past 15-20 years, but the economy was kept going by middle class Americans tapping into the equity on their homes until they were completely tapped out.

Both parties have sold out the bulk of the American citizens, who they're supposed to represent, by allowing the "out-sourcing" floodgates to open wider and wider without taking any sensible measures to stem the tide. (Under Clinton jobs to China, Under Bush I & II influx of illegals or cheap easily abused labor into the US and jobs to Mexico/NAFTA) Our leaders are elected by the Citizens of the United States of America to represent the interests of those citizens and the country itself. They are NOT elected by the Global Market Place or foreign citizens!

It shouldn't be all about Democrats or Republicans! It should be about doing the right thing for our country and the majority of its citizens. I consider myself an independent voter, but going back to the Reagan days and with the only exception having been Perot, I’ve always voted Republican. But all this single-minded, left versus right, ideological one dimensional bull has got to go! This is the problem with our country. It shouldn't be about Democrats or Republicans! It should be about Americans, especially our elected officials, doing the right thing for our country and its citizens.

We need whoever wins the next election to Start Protecting American Jobs and do whatever it takes to bring back the jobs they let go. They've got to give us somebody who will stand up for the American people.

We need to bring manufacturing back to the United States of America and both parties are ignoring tariffs as a way to level the playing field, raise money and bring jobs back home. Let's guess why. Oh that's right, tariff is a dirty word. Hum, maybe it’s that our so called leaders (political leaders) are beholden to the same people who are exporting our jobs.

I guess we should keep letting Corp Boards, Wall Street, CEOs and Foreign Lobbyists promote sending US jobs to countries where they work for slave wages, no benefits, no OSHA safety standards or no real environment regulations. How's that been working for us?

The so called “Global Market Place” is not a level playing field. Companies may have made higher profits by "out sourcing", but they've been putting middle class Americans who are a good part of the world’s customer base out of work. I’m not a lefty or member of any union. I run a business that employs over 20 people and produces products that are purchased by customers that do manufacturing and packaging. I’m just an average Joe, but I've been saying this for more than 10 years now. If I can see it, so can our so called leaders (political leaders) who are beholden to the same people who are exporting our jobs.

We need to add tariffs that are proportionate to the inequities in wages and regulations in the country where the goods were produced and or where we’re importing them from. We could then use the money raised by these tariffs to help companies build state of the art manufacturing plants here in the USA, which would create more jobs here at home for US citizens, which would then in turn increase our income tax revenue.

The people with all of the excuses as to why we can’t or aren’t willing to manufacture products here in the US are the same people who have provided us with the thinking that’s gotten us into this mess in the first place.

Over the past 15-20 years, I've seen too many of our customer's close manufacturing plants here in the USA and move those plants to different countries, decimating entire areas here in OUR COUNTRY. And I'm not alone. Returning jobs to American Citizens will provide income tax revenue to OUR Government versus our government having to pay unemployment benefits to those who would be jobless instead.

Bringing manufacturing back to the US not only gives jobs to the US citizens who would be working in those manufacturing facilities, but to the people that would be working in the businesses that would spring up all around them. This should also include the safe harvesting, production and distribution of our own natural energy here in the USA, rather than paying for fuel from countries where they hate us. Let’s keep that money and those jobs here in the US.

These so-called “free trade agreements” have to go. It was obvious when they were passing these agreements as to what was going to happen and sure enough it did. Our leaders had to have known this as well when they were passing these bills. It’s just common sense. We also need to bring customer support services back to the United States of America and staff them with employees who are US Citizens.

The “Global Market Place” is not a level playing field! The whole idea of the tariffs is so we can pay our factory workers a decent wage and not be blown out by these other countries where they don’t play by the same rules.

We may have to pay a bit more for products made here in the USA by US citizens, but at least we'll still have jobs and a future for our children.

The bottom line is that “Our Government” has to protect American industry and the jobs that those industries provide. If they do that, the rest will take care of itself.

Being from Illinois I'd just like to make one thing clear, the other Illinois folks on this board are seemingly from Cook County (Chicago incl.). This is the one county in the entire state that drops us on the liberal side, UGH!!!! Guess it goes without saying since it's where there is the most corruption, violence, moochers and idiotic mayor.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.

You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

William J. H. Boetcker, 1916 (often attributed to Lincoln)

Obama, his supporters, and the media have for months now spread one misleading falsehood after another trying to portray Romney as being something he is not. It has gotten so bad that I see most of you liberals today either restating the lies or saying that Romney is lying because he doesn't support a plan that you made up for him and he has never backed. You have lied so much that you have began to believe your own lies. The reason Obama didn't go after Romney on what you call lies is because unlike you Obamabots, Obama knows what Romney said was accurate and truthful, and if he tried to challenge he would of just been exposed even more.

Romney/Ryan 2012

OH WOW!!!!!

I knew Romney did very well last night but the whining from the Loser Lefties in here is deafening!!!!! Romney really must have hit home to get the wailing I see in here. How do you weasels do that on a message board!?!?!?

This was great! It showed Obama for the clueless, incompetent fool that he is. If Romney was lying, kiddies, why did not Obama call him on it? Hmmm? Surely Obama knew the facts. Why did he not present them? Not on his teleprompter?

For all of the lying in the polls and the ranting in the biased media, Romney still made Obama to be the wide-eyed neophyte.

Obama is STILL not qualified to be president.

CA: It's the best comedy on cable TV. I even rate it higher than Jon Stewart because he realizes he is doing a comedy show. The prime time Stooges on MSDNC think they are "journalists" and don't have the first clue thay are doing a comedy show, and neither do their loyal lefty liberal viewers.

LOL!!!

sure there was some comic relief but I would feel bad if Chrissy Mathews keeled over on stage during his anger tirade. I couldnt stomach the four horseman and yeah why the hard left Che style lefties on here think its top notch reporting is beyond me.

Hey Joe though, do you think Feisty is on a binge today? I fear the old harpy might hit the Black Velvet a little too hard today and end up in the ER or in a gutter.

To my pal AnnaMolley - what's the matter got not billable work to do this fine morning?

Spanky, its quid pro quo Pro Bono work today.

It has been enjoyable watching the Lefties spin like tops. Next up is Biden, now that should be good.

I only watched a little bit - up until it became obvious they had hired a "replacement moderator". Didn't matter to me, I already know who's getting my vote.

RE-UP THE PRESIDENT.

Obama has for the last four years never been challenged by the media or his supporters, has never been asked a tough question (except by Univision journalist), and has never been held accountable for anything. Last night for the first time Obama had to face someone who wasn't just going to give him a pass and let him talk his nonsense without being challenged. Obama lost because your coddling has made him unprepared for the real reality of things.

I found it interesting that obama only had one primary comment to go too . He kept trying to convice everyone Romney was going ti increase debt 7 Trillion dollars....lol something Ramney explained how he was wrong over and over and overagin. I just didn't sink in too Obama to let is rest and move on. Obama can not give any new ideas to help turn the economy around. Romney did if you listen to him. Obama gave 90 billion to companies to explore alternative energy. He was successful in getting an electric car plant strated in FINDLAND not the United States. So I guess he can say he created jobs. Just not for Americans.

When or rather IF Obama decides to get off his hands and come up with real plans for change I will listen. I heard all he is saying now 4 years ago and those ideas are not working. In fact they have had a negitive effect. Wak up people your party has been lying aboput Romney so much you beleive it your self and are blinded by hjis smooth talk.

Man, the Obamabots came out in full force today, something your fearless leader 'did not' do last night. He looked scared at best and took a beat down.

In 4 years he has done nothing, the 'Hope and Change' that you voted for was a sham and bought into it and now let's see, we're now 6 trillion dollars deeper in debt, no new jobs and unemployment at an average of 8% and the economy is still in the tank without any hope of recovery. And you want another 4 years of this? Man, some of you can certainly write intelligent things on this thread, but I guess you just can't seem to think straight.

Well, I'll tell you this, your boy got schooled last night, period! Obama came out unprepared and was stumbling for answers and the next debate with these two guys, Romney needs to ask 'Where's all the Hope and Change', hey, can't keep blaming Bush, but Obama will try to find a way.

But fear not my fellow Americans, basketball season is coming and Obama will hop on Air Force One at $186,000 an hour of our tax paying money to catch a ball game, after all, that's all he really knows what to do.

Obama got schooled and taken out to the woodshed for a good ole' fashion ass whoopin' ...... one he richly deserves!

American Girl,

Your explanation of anything to me is pointless. I am perfectly capable of researching and comprehension on my own. I also understand that liberals tend to think that they are the smartest ones in the room, when really, the opposite is true. I have never relied on trickle down anything. I have worked for several small business that didn't rely upon the business of any large corporation or government. The survival of the business relied upon the local community.

Romney's changing his policy positions in order to win a debate does not surprise me. He has been the etch-a-sketch candidate for quite a while now.

On debating points, Romney clearly won. His rapid fire style reminds me of the insurance salesman trying to close a sale. However, his position changes during the debate reminded me more of the deceptive "bait and switch" tactics of a con artist.

There are a lot of people out there who fell victim to a similar tactic when their mortgage broker told them that they unfortunately did not qualify for a conventional mortgage, but we have something even more affordable for you. It's called a balloon mortgage.

The rest is history. Buyer beware. Slick rapid fire sales tactics often leave consumers wishing they never had met the salesman.

It still gets down to making a rational choice.

You can stick with the guy that when his teleprompter is working gives you the warm fuzzies with his great speeches or you can vote for the guy who is a genius at financial matters.

Obama is borrowing 60 cents of every dollar he spends. In about a year America will be bankrupt and the 47% will lose their checks and food stamps. Thats a fact.

Romney is a successful businessman who knows how to handle financial matters. Thats a proven fact.

Do you call a plumber when your car breaks down?? No!

FORWARD?????? or Romney

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.

After kicking America in the ass for the last 4 years, it was good to finally see someone give Obama a swift kick right in the nuts.

I bet that 90 billion (LOL) went right into Obama's bank account. After all, does anyone think Michelle is going to want to stop taking vacations?

Maddcow in full meltdown mode! Priceless theater!

Hey Biden: Get ready to bend over Moron....

Romney/Ryan 2012

Poor ‘Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL’, Obama looked like Mr. T in the second fight!

Like JoannaSmith1 said, Romney was debating an Empty Chair

More like an empty suit.

Listening to the frustrated sputtering of the Obama lemmings is truly entertaining.

Face it, Romney took charge, looked right at his opponent, and spoke confidently and knowledgeably, while Obama looked up, down, and around for any shred of accomplishment he could offer in his defense. Too bad, Barry, the cupboard was bare.

Only thing i saw from Romney last night was he stood there for two hours with that smug rich bastard smirk on his face. That was about it. You can tell he thinks he's above everybody else.

Same old 'spin' by FR.

No surprise.

American Girl-724855

TO: LogicReguired who wrote:

"Obama, his supporters, and the media have for months now spread one misleading falsehood after another trying to portray Romney as being something he is not..."

To the contrary. Mitt Robme came out last night and RE-AFFIRMED everything we've been saying about him, but then you wouldn't know that because Republicans never listen.

I can't believe you actually believe your own BS.

If Romney said any falsehoods last night, Obama would have exposed or attacked each and every one of them.

Instead, it was Obama who got exposed for the incompetent fool that he is. Time to send this clown packing back to Chicago where he can schedule visits to see his buddy Blagojevich rot in jail.

Romney/Ryan 2012

speakthetruth-2459907Chris Dorr; YOUR AN IDIOT!

JUST LIKE YOU DID LAST NIGHT WATCHING THE BASEBALL GAME instead of the debate. That was so idiots like you can't see how stupid people like Obama and you are when it comes to important things, like the future of America! JACK ASS!!

• 1

• !

#1.163 - Thu Oct 4, 2012 11:25 AM EDT

calling me an idiot and a jack ass is a violation of the code of conduct here. Do you feel better about yourself? about robmehood?

I suppose I should have known the game of baseball was invented to keep me stupid and entertained while robmehood lies to the American people. Just because I didn't watch it live does not equate to me being uniformed. You would be amazed at all the different ways one can stay informed and current these days. Perhaps you should consider moving out of your parents basement and join this decade. Either way, it amuses me that you are so upset I watched baseball instead of robmehood.

4 more for 44!

Ha Ha.. Oops ...( Almost sprayed coffee all over my monitor ). Knew you Kool Aid drinking liberals would try to spin this your way. Sorry. Even hard-core democrats admitted Romney impressed them. Romney mopped the floor with Obama and beat him on every topic. He looked less like a president and more like a spoiled brat getting yelled at for the first time. Staring at the floor, shaking his head, not knowing quite what to say next. He even got so flustered at one point he tried to get the moderator to change the subject. No one has ever challenged him until now. He's been coddled his whole life from Kenya to the White House. Round one goes to Romney. The vice presidential debate should be lots of fun with the gaffe-a-minute vice buffoon against Paul Ryan. Should be hilarious. Obama is on the ropes. Next two debates, we deliver the KO and on to real hope and change in November!

Romney/Ryan 2012-2016 !!

Believe in America.

No matter how you try to spin it we have a president who has been in office for nearly 4 years and everything he has pushed through has failed or made things worse. When you can't defend what you have done or your failed policies all you can do is look down and be scolded like a puppy that just wet the carpet - and that was exactly what took place last night.

Obama four years ago fooled some of the people with the "Hope and Change" and "Yes We Can" campaign slogans but when that turns into "No I Couldn't" and "I HOPE you can find some loose CHANGE in the sofa - because that is all you have left" then you have the teacher in Romney counseling the student in Obama.

Gee, Okicize, you should have opened your eyes; you would have seen a real ass-kicking!

Beverly in Chicago said:

Brianb1956

LIES!!! ALL ROMNEY DID WAS LIE!!

What about this liberals? Romney 67 - Obama 25... polls have it like this across the board. Sounds like a landslide victory to me.

Those rabid, racist (of course they are racist Bev... What else would you say about them? Drawing the race card a bit early are we? Not really... you have been calling everyone that disagrees with Obama a racist since day one!)

are the ones who gave credence to those mythical poll numbers (what mythical poll numbers Bev? You calling CNN a liar? Are you stating that CNN skewed the numbers on purpose?)

that that lyin POS, Romney won. When the facts come out the undecided I believe will see for themselves just how much of an insincere jerk MYTH is. As I stated earlier MYTH definitely needed to move the dial for a game change; but in the end when the truth comes out it will be game over for Romney!! But the fact is, Romney did move the dial. All we've heard from the liberals is how Romney was going to get torn up during the debates... well, did he get torn up? Kinda shoots your theory down... A LOT! Face it Bev, Obama is not the man you have portrayed over the past 4 years. Obama is a weak, ineffective leader that relies on others to put words into his mouth. Proof is the lack of a teleprompter last night... we saw the real Obama... One who couldn't get his facts straight, couldn't keep things in perspective and accepted b!tch slaps from Romney all night long with little defense.

Let's face it Bev... your candidate of worship is finished. He had his hey day in 2008. His 15 minutes of fame is long worn out. He is bad for this country and you will find out the majority of America agrees with me. Just think Bev... if Obama loses the election, you can still worship him all you like. I won't care... In fact nobody will care... feel free to follow him all you want.

IF you will remember, I have been saying for months that it WILL be a landslide DEFEAT fo BOZO! Cry baby cry. Thats what the democRATS will be doing come November! Thank GOD the traitor will be G.O.N.E.! gone!!

TO: Brianb1956 who wrote:

"...Obama accused Romney of proposing a $5 trillion tax cut. Not true..."

You need a Fact Check, because it is true that Romney is proposing a $5 trillion dollar tax cut for millionaires.

Maybe Romney tried to say it wasn't "true" because the actual figure is $4.8 trillion dollars, is that it?

Obama/Biden 2012

Obama was as ill prepared for the debate as he has been in creating jobs, dealing with the deficit,stopping borrowing from China and dealing with the Libyan situation.

gee what alot of crap from obamas people on here today. at least romney is up front on what he would do and how to pay for it.all i hear from the dems is what they want but they seem to forget how it will be paid for as in we have to pass it to know whats in it and now we find out there are tax increases for middle class and i bet there is more to come when the hcb is translated into terms everybody can understand even pelosi

I truely do not understand all the excitement over Romney last night. Maybe I was watching a different debate but to me he came off as defensive, sloppy, rude and inconsiderate. He constantly was interrupting the Moderator or President as he continued on his well rehearshed offering of BS. Yet he never said anything diferent simply just kept repeating the same rehearsed words.

I find his performance a joke and one that would not go off very well overseas---try interrupting foreign leaders simply to get your well rehearsed point across over and over again. Sorry folks but Romney came off as horse biting at the bit for most of the debate.

Yet give him a break once he put his jacket on and got buzzed to gain control of himself he was a tiny bit more presentable. But not much. And to tell the majority of the population, WE BOOMERS that we will have to get Vouchers for medicare-----evidently does not support the American People---all of us!

TO: truetexan who wrote:

"... I have been saying for months that it WILL be a landslide DEFEAT fo BOZO! Cry baby cry. Thats what the democRATS will be doing come November! Thank GOD the traitor will be G.O.N.E.! gone!!"

Do know anything about anything Romney said last night, or is your whole thing about your obsession with President Obama?

Obama/Biden 2012

I'm actually starting to laugha s I read some of these posts.

According to the hardcore OBAmaniacs;

* everything their guy said was true, and all Romney did was lie.

* the moderator allowed Romney to take over the debate

* Obama usually loses in televised debates

* Romney said nothing of substance, he was too non-specific

* the audience was "muzzled"

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!

Face up to it, Obama-Shama-Lama-Ding-Dongs; Your candidate got his head handed to him last night, and all the "spin" in the world will not change that. Romney exposed Obama's plan to take $716 billion in benefitsaway from existing Medi-Care subscribers. He clarified his intention to remove "loopholes" and "allowances" in the tax code for upper income earners, that will spawn more revenues for the Federal Government. He firmly stated that he will not raise taxes on middle income earners (as Obama is planning to do, BTW) He explained how his health care plan for seniors will be overseen by private industry and by the states themselves (according to local conditions and needs). He also called Obama out for spending $90 billion on green energy research (some of which went to companies that are now out of business or who contributed large sums of cash to Obama's campaign) that could have been spent on hiring 100,000 new teachers.

Romney also pointed out that his state became #1 in education while he was governor, and that the Mass. healtcare system was worked on/agreed upon by Democrats and Republicans alike. Whereas Obama-Care was "rammed" through without a single Republican vote.

The other thing that gets me, is the "Lehrer lost control of the debate" line that I'm hearing/seeing from Obamaphiles. Well, if they would have switched to CNN a few minutes after it wa over, they would know that throughout the entire debate, Obama actually spoke four (4) minutes longer, than did Romney. So, you can pretty much toss that excuse out the window too.

Romney was clear, concise, specific and direct. He called Obama out on his lies (which his disciples hate by the way), and defined himself for the first time in this campaign, as opposed to allowing Obama to do it for him.

He dispelled the "Obama is a wonderful man, and Romney wants to eat your children" image that Obama/Biden and their supporters have played up for months now.

In short he took Obama to task, and the "talker in chief" had no response.

This is a "horse race" now,. It's game on, and anybody could win. No more talk of a landslide or about how easily Obama would win this thing, because that just aint happening.

Oh, and one last thing with regard to Romney's plan to eliminate loopholes, and deductions for upper income earners. It is those loopholes that allow him to pay as little as the 13% in federal taxes that so many of you complained about. Remove those from the tax code, while keeping the basic rate as they are, and you could increase federal revenues by as much as 20% (or more). You would actually have the wealthiest Americans paying the upper bracket rate, as opposed to them taking allowances that permit them to pay less. Obama tried to make it sound as if that wasn't enough.

But, if it's "simple math" as Obama said, then you look at the basic tax rates for upper income earners without any deductions, and that's what they would be paying! The interesting part is that, Obama and his "sheeple" have been complaining about the wealthy not paying enough, due to loopholes. Here you have Romney telling you, straight out, he'll do away with those loopholes, and now you're all saying that isn't enough!

Romney SKUNKED Obama last night, and it had nothing to do with the moderator, the auditorium-audience, the vertical hold on your TV screen or any other non-sensible thing they can come up with. He took away several taking points from Obama, and created a few of his own (i.e.....$90 billion to green energy firms that could have employed 100,000 teachers, and $716 billion being removed from the existing medi-care plan).

So stop the whining, ObaMANIACS and fess up to the booty-whoopin' your guy took last night.

It may just be the very thing that saves this country from further, and more catastrophic financial ruin.

Make Obama ONE & DONE

NO MORE for 44

Let's get the economy alive, and elect 45!

DEMOCRATS FOR ROMNEY 2012!!!!!

American Girl-724855

TO: Brianb1956 who wrote:

"...Obama accused Romney of proposing a $5 trillion tax cut. Not true..."

You need a Fact Check, because it is true that Romney is proposing a $5 trillion dollar tax cut for millionaires.

Once again....and from the cheap seats I might add.....Obama had every opportunity to call out Romney on it but gave up like he has at his job.

Obama was exposed for the horrific leader he is......bye bye Barry.

AG come on now, you've been called out on your lies before. You think you can ignore your way to being right. Thats ok AG like many others think if they repeat it over and over and over again and call you a liar and attempt some pathetic intimidation techniques it will make it true. Sorry, 'that there dog dont hunt' .

Take away Obama’s teleprompter and his campaign of LIES and DECEPTION crumbles like a cracker!

Obama was and is an embarrassment to America!

As this funfilled morning erodes into afternoon, I see the liberals are really trying to hold their heads up in light of last night's Obama defeat. I guess the liberals will never learn what the conservatives have been saying about Obama all along is correct. Obama is ineffective, has no record to run on, relies on input from a teleprompter for his answers and is nothing but an empty suit. One can almost feel sorry for him... He is way in over his head on his own. His handlers and masters lost control over him last night.. it's that obvious.

We tried telling you liberals this before he was elected but you wouldn't listen... and aren't listening now... Your Obama fixation is based on falsehoods and a perception problem. You perceive him to have all the answers, but clearly he doesn't have any at all. You defended him through bad choices. You stood up for him even though things were crumbling all around us. You supported him in the blame game... but even that has fallen apart... too much time has passed.

Keep hoping for a debate win... can't wait until next week... I can hear it now.. Ryan is a liar... WAIT... You say that about Romney... so much for reasonable responses from the liberals... Keep on hoping... I'll wait for the change.

American Girl-724855

TO: truetexan who wrote:

"... I have been saying for months that it WILL be a landslide DEFEAT fo BOZO! Cry baby cry. Thats what the democRATS will be doing come November! Thank GOD the traitor will be G.O.N.E.! gone!!"

Do know anything about anything Romney said last night, or is your whole thing about your obsession with President Obama?

Yes, and what Romney told me were genuine ideas......

Not more hopey changey BULLSH-- that has us 17 trillion in debt, massive unemployment, 2 credit rating declines, no job growth, illegal lawbreakers granted green cards, and an economy IN THE TANK.

BYE BYE BARRY.....HAVE FUN WITH BLAGOJEVICH BANK IN CHICAGO!

I'm really enjoying these comments. Keep up the good complaining Dems, you are racking up a hell of a score on the excuses tally.

Maybe the friends at MSNBC can spin it some till Biden gets his ass whooped.

I'm not sure if Romney won, so much as Obama lost. I just feel that, for four years, Obama has been trying to compromise and be diplomatic with the other side, and it just isn't working.

For once, I'd like him to get up there with guns blazing.

I mean, the most important question, what deductions would Romney cut, to offset continuing the tax cuts for those at the top, WASN'T ADDRESSED!

On a side note, how much cooler would these debates be, if at the end, the candidates put on those giant, inflatable sumo wrestler suits, and went at it?

And a shout out to Cabrerra! Triple crown, baby!

I’m not one who is inclined to go to a pet store and come home with a skunk (vote for) just because they’re out of puppies.

Liberals, on the other hand, are so self-absorbed they don’t seem to know the difference!

Round #One:

Nobody wins.

Neither candidate picked-up any of the dozen undecided voters that they had stashed in a closet offstage.

While supporters of both candidates saw what they wanted to see, NONE of the remaining undecided voters were moved one way or the other.

Conservatives saw what they wanted to see, Romney rabidly on the attack, spewing hatred, a lack of compassion, contempt for the moderator, and the same old tired lies that have been repeated over and over ever since the 2010 Congressional election season, in fact ever since Reagan did the same thing to Carter, hatred, accusations, sensationalism, and not one shred of any plan to repair anything. That is what conservatives want to hear, and their man delivered in supreme style. Conservatives seem to want an angry and blaming leader who is very thin on substance.

Liberals on the other hand saw what they wanted to see out of their leader too. The President engaged in supplying facts, and focused on how those facts relate to our future. Of course conservatives have a great disdain for the kind of performance that the President gave, since the only kind of success to them is one where an attack yields a submission or some kind of personal profit. Liberals on the other hand are smarter than that, and they demand leadership in a much different manner, one where the issues are well-covered, and substance is key. Some the President provided liberals with what they wanted to hear too, in a style that liberals vastly prefer over the attacking style of modern conservatism.

According to several recent polls only 5% of the electorate remains unattached to either Romney or to the President, Gary Johnson is going to get roughly half of that number, and there are several other minority party candidates who might together earn 1% of the total vote. Basically this election is already decided, as there are not enough undecided voters remaining to sway the election one way or the other.

America's electorate is as divided as it has ever been in my 56-year lifetime. We almost might be better-off as two separate countries, we are so divided, but drawing the lines would be extremely difficult given that most liberal voters are also urban voters, and many cities have substantial numbers of conservative suburban voters too.

America can not continue on a path where certain industries see their profits rise by 800% in a decade, thanks to political cronyism and/or a complete lack of oversight, while others are allowed to run for cheaper pastures overseas, and still others are given enough rope to hang almost all of us with. That $716 Billion that Romney keeps whining was stolen from Medicare is $716 Billion of pure profit stolen over a period of 10 years from the same health insurance companies that oversaw a 300-400% rise in costs just during a single decade, a rate of increase eight times the inflation rate.

Let me ask you? How many of you can afford to pay $3000 per month for health insurance? If Obamacare is overthrown, and those 15-20% annual out-of-pocket cost increases are reinstated, in just 8 more years 80-90% of all Americans will not even be able to afford to have health insurance, which seems to be a conservative goal. Do conservatives want to make health insurance so expensive that no employer can afford to supply it for their employees?

How about a $6000 annual voucher for Medicare, when in 10 years, your annual Medicare premium will be $35,000 per year, and will be rising in cost at a 15% annual rate? Just five years later, when you are now age 70, that same premium will be almost double that, if Romney and the conservatives get their way. The fact is that health care industry cost increases are going to have to be reigned-in or pretty soon almost nobody will be able to afford to see a doctor, which over time will result in a much-shorter life-expectancy too.

Perhaps that is how the conservatives plan on improving the sufficiency of a program that GW alone stole $2 trillion from? If life-expectancy can be greatly reduced, Social Security won't have to pay so much out, now will it? Is that what you want, to die at the age of 69, so that you can't collect nearly what you paid in? That is what Romney and Ryan want!

I can see why the NBC, one of the big New York City news networks, is so heavily supporting Romney, as the average pay in NYC is triple of what it is in Kansas City, just as the average cost of living is too. It is tough when the salaries of most of your senior people put them into the tax bracket that is going to see most of the opposite of benefit when the GW tax cuts are repealed. But is it fair to the rest of America when we can't even afford to repair potholes on a daily basis to continue to give our wealthiest citizens a huge tax break that has not resulted in any job growth of any kind?

Just like I said, both sides saw what they wanted to out of their guy last night, and neither side picked-up a substantial amount of the 3% of the electorate that remains undecided and who may yet vote for one of our major political party candidates. It seems to be the nature of conservatives to celebrate like their hometown high school team just won a playoff game, but most liberals celebrate in a far-more restrained and far-more thoughtful manner too.

There is still a month to go, and still a whole 3% of the total electorate undecided, and for another month it will continue to be official NBC policy to support anyone who believes that tax cuts for our wealthiest citizens is good economic policy for America, just as they also believe that nearly half of Americans don't deserve to live here too, largely as a result of those 10 million middle-class manufacturing jobs that were offshored just in the last 12 years. The President and his party want to put a stop to offshoring American jobs, and the conservatives are also steadfastly opposed to to any policy that would make it more expensive to pack-up and leave town too.

I have an idea for NBC: Why not pack-up and move to Kansas City, where you can get away with paying your senior staff 1/3rd of what you have to in NYC, as that way there won't be nearly as much reason to defend a policy of huge and ruinous tax cuts for our wealthiest citizens? You will have to admit, in the internet age, it doesn't really matter where you locate at, as anyone can write a story and have it online so much faster than having to wait for the cows to come home for the 6:00 news to air too!

Obama/Biden and a Democrat sweep in 2012!

Romney showed his true colors last night--BULLY WHO WONT SHUT HIS MOUTH CUZ HE DOESNT WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH! Just what we need in the oval office again; another loud mouthed bully who thinks the US can just ride into anything/any place it wants and take over.

Romney offered no substance last nite--just more lies and generalities about his "beliefs" that seem to change every audience. I know no more about him than I before the debate.

Hey Mitt, if it is the millionaires that start businesses and employ the little people, why dont you do some good with all that money of yours and your daddy's and start a few businesses to employ some of us middle classers? Hey, Mitt, how can we be sure that you will not do to this country what you did with so many businesses during your days at Bain? Hey, Mitt, if you wont even let the debate moderator be heard, how are we supposed to believe that you wont shout over even moderate democrats (if you become president-lol) to work together to bring down the debt, lower unemployment rates, create jobs, get the country's business done? (insert even bigger laugh)

Oh, and i am NOT looking for the generalities like you pushed last nite! I want SOLID SUBSTANTIVE MEANINGFUL WORKABLE STRATEGIES!!!!!

Byron...

Two things....#1: Where do you store all that hot air. #2: I do not need your assistance in determining what I or any rational person saw at the debate last night.

And by the way...I have never written one time on this site that I believed Mitt Romney will win the election. With Mr. Obama having 96-97% of the black vote in his pocket, along with about three-quarters of the hispanic vote and childrens' vote, and a percentage close to that from among the nation's municipal, state, and federal government union workforce...I do not know if any Republican candidate ever born could overcome the built in lead Mr. Obama owns.

Oh...one more question: Did Mr. Obama have to bring his own lubricant to the debate last night ??? I haven't gotten a clear answer on that one yet !

Poor "american girl".

"Do know anything about anything Romney said last night, or is your whole thing about your obsession with President Obama"?

My "obsession" as you call it is not wanting this country go the way of Spain & Greece. Like I have told you once before...Your not much of an "american girl". To put your race card to rest BEFORE you play it...I voted for the ONLY black man in the race in '08. The ONLY one! Do you know who that was? He didnt make it out of the primaries. And yes I watched the whole thing. BOZO, like you and your liberal friends couldnt understand what Mitt was saying because it made sense.

You need a Fact Check, because it is true that Romney is proposing a $5 trillion dollar tax cut for millionaires.

Maybe Romney tried to say it wasn't "true" because the actual figure is $4.8 trillion dollars, is that it?

Not raising taxes is now a tax cut in the liberals mind! The Bush/Obama tax cuts! (Obama has extended the Bush tax cuts so he needs to take some repsonsiblity for the current tax rates) These tax rates have been the tax rates for years now and once again they are set to expire making tax rates go up. This is not called an increase in the liberal mind even though you will be paying more in taxes because the rate wasn't raised, the lower rate just expired.

What a phony word game you liberals try to play and fool the American people with. Fact is under Obama's next four years tax rates would be going up, under Romney tax rates will be staying the same as they have been under Obama's first four years! Having the same rates as Obama has for four years is not a tax cut!

The Libby's are out trying to do "damage control" for President Obama's poor performance last night. The B.S. the President has been spewing the past several months withers when put up against an actual opponent. Sure the media will spin and try to rebuild that support for Obama, but the Americans will see the truth in the end.

When the comments are started with Did you watch the baseball game... Oh and Obama made great points... well then

Obama 2012 Cradle to the Grave !!

Man, you libbies are STILL in denial. When the left leaning posters start off with "Well, I didn't watch the debate, but..." then the endless acusations of "Liar."

Even MSNBC concedes that Romney outperformed the president last night. The closing arguments said it best. Romney will try to work with those across the isle as he did in Massachusetts, Obama said baisically that he won't.

If the left posters think Obama did well in last night's debate, it's no wonder they think the recovery is satisfactory.

Brianb, you are cherry picking. I'm not sure what sources you are looking at for your fact checks, but you should try http://factcheck.org/2012/10/dubious-denver-debate-declarations/

Romney was less truthful than Obama. Plus, Romney misrepresented or flipped on his own previously stated positions.

Simply tallying a score might tell you who told the truth the most times or who lied the most times. It doesn't tell you the depth of the misinformation presented.

zer0bama was an EPIC FAIL last night, which was no surprise to the educated non welfare recipiants! All we heard for months from Fisty and her village idiots were "I can't wait for the debates. potus is gonna chew him up". Really? What happened? Now they're saying "Wait for the next debate, wait for 11-7-12". Wake up libtards and realize that you are under the influence of the nasty kewlaid. I love how the msnbc staff reacted after the debates, totally turned on their messiah. Except for sharpton, who doesn't even matter. Thank you Mitt for bringing your skills to the table to save America!!

Romney/Ryan2012 to steer America in the right direction

I can't believe I wasted time watching that crap last night when I could have been wasting time drinking beer and watching zombies devour the living. Lehrer - what an ineffectual moderator - maybe his formadehyde levels were too low? President Obama - Not even watching Romney as he shuffled around papers and doodled? Signed bills into law? Worked on some complex mathematical equation? Bored, are we? Romney - fired up, but reiterating the same old poop, while gazing at Obama with the ill-concealed contempt of a bitchy sorority sister who wants to beat a pledge for her shoes.

The one thing I did take away from that debacle is this - Romney's 5 part assessment on whether or not a program can go on the chopping block. If I'm not mistaken, he stated that he is essentially giving himself carte blanche to do away with anything he wants by equating said program with Chinese ownership of the program due to our debt to China? Is that how it will work? Feels like that kind of leaves the door waaaay open.

@ sarah. Are you studying to be a comodian (yes I know how I spelled it) You flush me with laughter! Your little dictator has force fed the American public so much B.S. its unbelievable and you democRATS keep your mouths open for more. UNBELIEVABLE!!

I'm not sure if Romney won, so much as Obama lost. I just feel that, for four years, Obama has been trying to compromise and be diplomatic with the other side, and it just isn't working.

All I can say to FR, Chris Dorr, Beverly in Chicago, and the rest of you MSNBC goons...Must suck to be a liberal today, eh?! LOL

BTW, more bad news on the jobs sector...what is this 44 straight weeks? That must be what this 44 stuff is...44 weeks of continuous job losses! Proud day, eh, liberals?

Romney Ryan 2012! Vote against Obama like your life depends on it!

I just feel that, for four years, Obama has been trying to compromise and be diplomatic with the other side, and it just isn't working.

LOL! You mean compromise like when he shoved healthcare down everyone's throat with not one single Republican vote and only got all Democrats by using special "cornhusker kickback" deals?

Maybe you are talking about when he said Republicans can come along but they need to sit in the back?

Too Funny!

Get over, move on, Obama lost the debate. Everything else is just excuses. Romney lie, Romney this, Romney that....grow up your candidate lost period. Wait for the next debate it will be even worst for Obama.

Two acronyms come to mind when I think about Obama’s crumbling campaign last night.

DOA and MIA

Feisty: Willard wants to make Big Bird homeless

Are you kiddding me?? Is this what you got out of the debate?? You keep proving yourself oblivious time after time with each of your posts. Romney was the only one on that stage that knew what he was talking about. Obama was just plain out of his element. He does not have a handle on economic facts like Romney does.

Tweekyknitter: Romney showed his true colors last night--BULLY WHO WONT SHUT HIS MOUTH CUZ HE DOESNT WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH! Just what we need in the oval office again; another loud mouthed bully who thinks the US can just ride into anything/any place it wants and take over.

Wow is this what YOU got out of the debate?? Romney was rude? The country is going over a fiscal cliff and you are worried about Romneys manners.. You are a dope just like the rest of you Obama zombies on this site. Romney is a thorougbred and Obama is a mongrel who doesn't have a clue about economics like Romney does. Obama was a dear in the headlights last night. Romney is presidential and Obama needs to go back to Chicago and pick up where he left off on his community organizing and dividing the country. It seems that is the only thing he does well.

Romney/Ryan 2012

This analysis lost all credibility with that one statement:

If Romney was energetic and concise, then Obama was listless and rambling.

Obama appeared relaxed, not listless. Romney, to me, came off less as being energetic and concise and more as being pushy. He insisted on having the last word in every encounter starting from the beginning with his complaint that "He started. He got to talk first so I get to speak last." And he continued, throughout the debate, to insist on having the last word on every segment of the debate, even if it meant consistently running over his 2 minute allotted time - which he did in EVERY segment of the debate - right down to the closing. Lehrer asked Romney if he had a question for Obama in response to the president's statements and Romney spent four and a half minutes in rebuttal without ever positing a question. Whenever the president made a statement, even in response to Gov. Romney's comments, Romney felt compelled to push ahead with a retort even as Lehrer tried to silence him.

I will say I was amused when, after Lehrer noted that Obama's time was up at one point, Obama countered with, "No. I still had 5 seconds when you interrupted me." Funny, because Lehrer had been unable to stop Romney's 'speechifying' as he repeatedly ran on for more than twice the time allotted for his comments but, quite serious on another level, as it indicated the president was, in fact aware of the time clock displayed on what appeared to be a 56" flat screen at the back of the auditorium ticking away the seconds, while Romney appeared oblivious to it.

Furthermore, Romney three times, at least, as others have already pointed out, contradicted himself.

Lehrer had no control over the situation and, I believe, the president was perhaps aggravated by that, though Romney, a wealthy, silver-spoon, businessman and not a politician, accustomed to having his way one way or another, took full advantage of Lehrer's lack of forcefulness. A gross lack of respect on his part.

Overall, I was disappointed with debate - from the opening introductions to the closing statements it looked more like a SNL spoof of a debate than the real deal.

And, trutexan @ #1.196: Calling people names, especially people you don't really know, and using immature, childish taunts is hardly the mature way to engender an honest give and take of ideas. Such behavior is better left on the playground.

It just keeps getting better. Liberals make up a bunch of stuff Romney stands for that are lies, Romney then corrects them and tells the American people that he doesn't stand for those made up things at all, so the liberal then call him a liar and flip flopper for not agreeing to the stuff they made up.

Classic! You can't get better comedy then this!

What about the Presidents green energy policy? 90 Billion dollars spend and how many companies have gone belly up? Obama didn't even try to defend his own policy.

For those who only hear about these failing companies one by one, the following is a list of all the clean energy companies supported by President Obama’s stimulus that are now failing or have filed for bankruptcy. The liberal media hopes you’ve forgotten about all of them except Solyndra, but we haven’t.

Evergreen Solar
SpectraWatt
Solyndra (received $535 million)
Beacon Power (received $43 million)
AES’ subsidiary Eastern Energy
Nevada Geothermal (received $98.5 million)
SunPower (received $1.5 billion)
First Solar (received $1.46 billion)
Babcock & Brown (an Australian company which received $178 million)
Ener1 (subsidiary EnerDel received $118.5 million)
Amonix (received 5.9 million)
The National Renewable Energy Lab
Fisker Automotive
Abound Solar (received $400 million)
Chevy Volt (taxpayers basically own GM)
Solar Trust of America
A123 Systems (received $279 million)
Willard & Kelsey Solar Group (received $6 million)
Johnson Controls (received $299 million)
Schneider Electric (received $86 million)

That’s 19 (that we know of so far). We also know that loans went to foreign clean energy companies (Fisker sent money to their overseas plant to develop an electric car), and that 80% of these loans went to President Obama’s campaign donors.

thegatewaypundent

It's clear Beverly and Feisty two big Chicago Machine lefties couldn't see the light of day if they were a mile from the sun. How miserable your lives must be to be so jaded with your viewpoints and so brainwashed that you can only come on here every day sitting at home on your welfare checks and write left wing blather. Bottom line is your man is sacked, he hasn't done a thing in four years worth crowing about and he isn't going to get a second chance. Get ready to be more miserable than you already are for another decade or so. Your boy blew the left wing socialist agenda's plan. Time for America to be taken back by Americans! Anybody but Obama in 12!

Chris from Dorr MI based his opinion on something he did not see - typical liberal! I taped the debate to watch later with a family member so, yes, I did not see it yet as well and yes, I have read all the articles regarding the debate, but am I surmising an opinion yet? NOPE - how can I come up with an opinion on something I haven't seen? That would just go to show that no matter what, I'm a (insert name here) supporter and blind.....

Logic,

You do realize that ACA was a conservative idea, originally thought up at the Conservative Heritage Foundation, and is a free market solution to single payer, right?

True,

Oh, so Obama waved his special "Socialist Wand" to get passed, the things he has? Or did they pass through congress? With republicans in it?

You do realize, that the Executive Branch of our government is technically, the weakest, right?

For all you people out there saying Mitt is a world class liar...so is Obama and every last politition on the face of the planet. Its there job to lie to the sheep to get them to follow blindly with adorration such as what the current President so amply loves!!!!!!

Oh...my mistake

44 straight months with job losses is more like it!

Obama proved last night he is no leader...only a divider. Time for him to go!

You do realize, that the Executive Branch of our government is technically, the weakest, right?

Not when the "executive" believes He can subvert the rule of law, issue executive orders (proclamations) and everything else in His power to have it His way...some transparency!

Whether Romney lied or not, it doesn't matter to me. The Republican Party has done exactly what they have set out to do and that was to keep the President and the American people from prospering! For that I do not intend to reward them by electing one of their own. Those of you that have been sleeping for the last 2 years should be ashamed of your selves. You are SHEEP!

I got to report 5 people for advertising for Obama,

And 5 people for advertising for Romney.

Let me not forget the one inflammatory report.

THIS IS THE BEST NON-DISCUSSION GROUP I HAVE EVER MET! Congradulations, pink faced rage face extremists! For doing a lot of yelling and zero convincing.

The debates were fine. The only people taking a number two in their diapers today are people who wouldn't change their minds anyway. For people who use more than one brain cell, both Obama and Romney provided useful information for who to vote for and both did fine delivering that inforation. You should be able to vote based on decisions stemming from the content of the debate. And if someone is standing on the wrong side of your issues, you should now know and not vote for that person.

So suck it, radicals. Suck it because radicals won't decide this election, even if they think they do in their own (lack of ) minds.

I have written, long before now, that Presidential debates (sic) of today generally serve no useful purpose, and, in fact, generally bring more confusion than enlightenment to audiences. When one looks at those real debates of 1960 between Richard Nixon and JFK, then contrasts these more recent shams, I contend, my reasoning is quite obvious. The 1960 debates were rigidly held to a known and set format with Moderators "Howard K. Smith"1st, through "Quincy Howe" 4th, firmly in, and, maintaining control of adherence to the rules of the format. Since that time, these so called "debates" have devolved into what was presented last night. That is, little more than 2 competing owner/operator madams, engaged in a price war, expounding the relative pleasures offered by each fleet of prostitutes, with one pushing volume, and missionary position, as opposed to the other who has specialized more in pleasure quality and position variation. Both, if they so choose, with mouths in full field step. Almost any Moderator, during such, would come to favor one over the other, or simply become so confused and embarrassed He/She would likely sh^t, or become dumbfoundedly blind. I really doubt last nights performance will change the minds of many voters, at least of any significance.

• election 2012
• Lockheed Martin
• Budget & government
• Politics & Business
• Politics

By law, a company must send out layoff notices 60 days prior to a plant closing or a mass layoff. This was put into place as a result of the WARN Act, or Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, enacted in 1988. In light of the impending across-the-board budget cuts that are coming January 1, 2013 due to the failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, more commonly known as the Super-Committee, to find a way to cut $1.5 trillion from the federal deficit over the next decade, major cuts to defense are imminent. These cuts to defense will affect major defense contractor, Lockheed Martin. Looking ahead to the inevitability of these events, Lockheed Martin warned that it will be sending out layoff notices, which are required by law, in early November, just days before the presidential election.

Now Lockheed Martin says that they will not issue the layoff notices, at the request of the White House. Last Friday, U.S. Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Kelly Ayotte released a statement on the Obama Administration’s guidance to Lockheed Martin to ignore the WARN Act, calling the current administration out on this thinly veiled political move. In the memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget issued last Friday, the administration concluded that notices would not be necessary in this situation because it would cause “waste and disruption,” but if any potential future litigation would be faced, the government would allow certain compensation, litigation, and attorney fees to be covered by the government contract.

Obviously, if Lockheed Martin sends out layoff notices a few days before the election, this could have a negative impact on the President’s re-election. But should politics really matter when it comes to following the law? Asking this company to not follow the WARN Act, is setting the company up for potential massive lawsuits, for which the government is volunteering to pay. What will the government use to pay for these lawsuit expenses? Taxpayer dollars, of course. With the government hitting a new high for the national debt at $15 trillion, is it really a safe bet for Lockheed Martin to trust that Congress will go along with this plan and vote to fund this, should these events happen? Lockheed Martin could always hope that whichever man is elected next year will realize that cutting defense puts our country at risk and will work with Congress to opt for budget cuts elsewhere.

@mj #1.71 Absolutely astounding. That people will feel sorry and vote for Obama because he looked like a stooge? What brilliant insight from you and masterful craftsmanship of Obama by using reverse psychology on the masses.

Your assessment doesn't really surprise me. He's been telling you one thing and expecting you to believe the opposite for some time now! Face it, Obama looked bad because he has nothing to stand on. He has no understanding of an economy and regardless of who you choose to continue to blame, the fact remains that Obama has been ineffectual at doing what it takes to get the job done.

Tell me, at what point does any President have to take ownership of his tenure - at the end of his first term? second? ever?

Posted by Logic Required:

Not raising taxes is now a tax cut in the liberals mind!

What do you conservatives mean? The GW tax cuts have always been a tax cut. The only reason that the President agreed to extend the tax cut beyond what its original framers decreed was so that our long-term unemployed could get an extension of unemployment benefits mid-winter! Since when is ending the GW tax cuts as has been planned all along since the Republicans passed them now considered an increase in taxes?

According to what GW and the Republicans wanted when they passed these tax cuts, our top tax rate is 38%, except for the duration of the tax cut. How about instead we go back to the first Reagan tax cut rate, which was 50%, down from the 70% top tax rate that existed from 1961-1980, which was down from the 90% top tax rate in-effect when Ike was President?

Since it has been proven beyond any doubt that tax cuts do not create jobs, why give tax cuts that have been absolutely ruinous to our ability to maintain our infrastructure and grow our economy? Don't high top tax rates encourage productive investment and charity spending at home trying to mitigate those high tax rates?

The only job growth that our world has seen lately is in Asia. Job growth would have been substantial anywhere that 10 million jobs were moved. Do you tax cut types know that the average wage in eastern coastal urban China is up by 400% just since 2001? Just think, if that kind of rate increase were to continue for another 10 years, very few US companies would be able to afford to manufacture products there for US consumption too!

Personally, as someone who is middle class, I would be quite happy paying a couple of percent more in taxes if I know that our rich people are contributing their fair share too! Certainly when Romney only pays 13% on an 8-figure income, he is not paying his fair share, so in my opinion, capital gains tax rates are preposterously low and need to be returned to their former levels too, just so that people like Romney are forced to pay their fare share too!

Since when is the end of a temporary tax cut considered a tax increase?

my2cents...

you should know the answer...it's GW's fault...STILL!

The fact that even die hards like Bill M. and Rachel M. obviously saw the concise winner and you people (like Feisty and Bev) still stick to your imaginary Obama won this Romney lied, that is just so undignified it is really telling about who you really are and where you are at in your minds. So sad that you are that far gone, there should be a knowledge test to pass in order to vote, you clearly wouldn't get your ticket punched.

You can stick a fork in Obama, he's done! There is a new sense of renewed hope for America!

Romney/Ryan 2012

Gosh, doesn't it feel great to be a Romney suppoter today:) If nothing else, You libturds ought to of figured out, Obama can't speak a intelligent sentence without rehearsal and a telepromter ! Obama is toast. Waves to Fiesty!

Waa Waa everything is Waa Waa!

Waa Waa all I get is Waa Waa!

Like several have said Obama has been so protected over the last three years by his handlers that he got blindsided by someone who was on his game. The dude looked like a division one college team who was getting their butt kicked by a div. 1AA school in their home opener. He never knew what hit him. He was clearly unprepared and looked as weak as I've ever seen a sitting President. He got a dose of his own medicine. He walked all over McCain back in the day and used McCains record against him. Romney did the same thing to him. See being the new guy does have it's advantages when the Pres. has really screwed things up for 3 years. The telling tale is the reaction of the normally friendly Obama media. They were all over Obama which is truely shocking. They will get their Obama groove back don't you worry and will catch their breath and resume toeing the Dem. line within a couple days.

Overall a very strong round one for Romney! I can't wait to see who Obama blames this on. Who's it gonna be? Maybe it's Bush's fault?

If Romney "won" it's because Americans want to be lied to.

HEY! Did you guys see that debate thing last night?

I don't know much about politics but that guy they kept calling president did really bad.

The other guy they called governor did really good.

The president guy sounded really unsure of himself and kinda dumb. He looked really lost.

I don't know about you guys but I'm voting for the governor guy.

ROMNEY/RYAN 2012 FOR REAL AMERICANS©

Did anyone else notice that Obama's solution to EVERY topic he was challenged on is MORE GOV'T. OOH - good idea, that's worked so well in the past!

Sarah, re- # 1.209, Did you watch the debate? Romney called out Obama on his lack of bipartisinship when the President asked,"just how are you going to get your plans through Congress"? Romney said," are you kidding me? When I took office in Mass. it was 84% liberal Democrat"! I have a record of being able to reach across the aisle! Sarah, this is where the Presidents slip is showing. Obama had no real record of of voting on anything in Il as a Senator. He's more a great speaker than a politician. And how Obama f^^ked up was not fixing the unemployment numbers in his 1st 2 yrs when the Democrats controlled Congress,had he they would have never lost control. Then the President could have ushered in his Healthcare Bill with support from both sides of the aisle. As far as the inflatable Sumo suits,I think you just robbed SNL of a skit,LOL! No,Romney and Obama are in good shape, I say boxing trunks and speed bag gloves to the death! Kodo's to Cabrera,too, I'm a White Sox fan, he's amazing to watch. Speaking of that, Cleveland? WTF happened?

I've got 2 million shovel ready jobs in the middle of the ocean and if I dont turn this horrible economy around in my first term I wont run for reelction....bahhhhhh haaaaa talk about lies. ITS NOT MY FAULT ITS BUSH, HE CAUSED ALL THIS NOT ME!!

Mitt didn't come across as confident or presidential at all. He shifted back and forth, left to right, almost like a bobble-head as he scribbled notes so he could simply repeat himself when his turn came again. Mitt was shifty on his feet, shifty on his economic voodoo proposals, and slimy to boot.

Obama has a calm, strong, presidential presence. He stood steady, talked directly to the American people, and was obviously amused at Romney's repeated lies and unsubstantiated propositions.

Yes, I think Obama needs to be more aggressive in his next debate and call Romney out on his flaws (including the 47% comment). And the moderator must be better prepared as well.

Doesn't really matter to half of Americans who are already strongly in Obama's camp. We can't stand Mitt or his slimy running mate. Foreign leaders hate Romney too and would much rather deal with Obama.

Oh, so Obama waved his special "Socialist Wand" to get passed, the things he has? Or did they pass through congress? With republicans in it?

how many republican votes again? Not with his socialist wand, just his socialist back door dealing. You know the transparency he bragged he would bring. You know the cleaning up in Washington.

Technically the executive branch is the weakest but technically.

brianb --

1) Obama: Over the last two years health care premiums have gone up, it's true... but they have gone up slower than anytime in the past 50 years.

FACT: Not so concerning premiums. Premiums have risen $2,400 since 2009 according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. In 2011 premiums rose 9%. That is faster than economic growth and wages combined. Was it a lie? Sure it was... for the smartest man in the room to say that premiums have gone up slower... he should know better

Seriously.

Read read this through again, carefully this time. The "fact check" doesn't even square with the facts asserted by President Obama, let alone prove them wrong. He didn't say that premiums have gone up slower than economic growth -- he said they have gone up slower than previous years. Everyone knows that health care costs have been rising on average faster than general economic growth. That's why we're even having this conversation. I'd have to see some comparison numbers for other years before I could accept your statement as "fact."

By the way, 2009 was before Obamacare even kicked in. It wasn't signed until March, 2010, I believe. It is completely dishonest to count increases that occurred in the year and a half before the law went into effect, which didn't happen, even for the earliest provisions, until June, 2010, and not until January, 2011, for the most important substantive provisions.

If THIS is all you have, you need a new fact checker.

Seriously.

My thoughts:

I thought Romney played the primary role of attack dog, which he needed to do and I thought Obama for some strange reason was playing prevent defense. I don’t know if Obama’s strategy was bad advice from his campaign or if he just underestimated Mitt Romney. Either way he missed some opportunities to go on offense, not all opportunities but some, Bain, 47%, etc. He could have whacked him more than he did.

The one striking thing that even surprised me was that Obama couldn’t hide his contempt for Romney. The President seems to be a pretty smart guy I don’t understand why he showed his emotions like that. Romney clearly irritates him more than I thought and he genuinely doesn’t like the guy. It reminded me of the way Bush treated Kerry in their first debate. This debate played out much like that one did when Kerry was attacking Bush and Bush seemed like he didn’t want to be in the same room with that jerk.

Who won the debate is in the eye of the beholder. I thought a lot of Romney’s attacks played well re-energizing his base but I thought Obama did a good job of talking about substance. Obama tried talking to the audience where Mitt was focused on attacking Obama. I thought Obama talked more about the future where Mitt talked about the President’s record. I think Obama’s strategy would have better served him in the last debate when Romney would have desperate if Obama won the first two. He should have stood toe-to-toe and talked about Romney’s record each time Romney brought up his.

But I woke up this morning and I thought I wasn’t watching the same debate listening to the media pile on Obama. I walked away with the impression that Romney won but not by a lot. Maybe it’s my democrat blinders but I don’t think Mitt should have admitted he wanted to privatize Medicare. I don’t think he should have lied about his tax policy. He also tripped up badly when offered to elaborate on his healthcare plan. Mitt’s problem has been he’s light on details, i.e. regulation, economic and healthcare policy. While he did a good job attacking the President with statistics and a few zingers he did nothing to address the underlying problem that he’s short on details. Obama pointed this out multiple times during the debate. Mitt seemed more at ease and better prepared while the President seemed cold and remote at times but underneath it all I can’t help but think the voters looking for substance noticed what Mitt didn’t say.

Can we get a filter for the comments that automatically assigns a No Value tag to any comment that purposefully alters either candidates name? I generally skip any comment I see with Robmehood, Hussein, Barry, or Willard. Yes, I know Willard is his real name, but, much like using Hussein, it's used in a derogatory way EVERY TIME.

Wait, who am I kidding?? Reading this trash is hilarious! Enjoy arguing about a debate that is based on rhetoric and not actual solutions, just like every previous, public, political debate ever. Romney had the better rhetoric and he definitely won in the polls because of it. The left is mad because Obama did not do this and he should have because that's how you win. These debates are treated like a football game, where people cheer more at the snide remarks than anything else, it's embarrassing and shameful to the idea of an election. It's like your candidate represents you and they need to win at any cost. This removes any litening and critical thinking out of the equation entirely.

Fender,

What Mitt was able to get through his state's senate is an illogical comparison, considering those who filled his state senate, aren't the same people who fill congress today.

We have no idea what Obama could have gotten through Mitt's MA senate, nor do we know what Mitt could get through Obama's national congress.

It doesn't really tell us anything.

So, how would you have liked Obama to create jobs? The only way, the president or congress can directly create jobs, is through spending, yet you all complain about the stimulis.

Then you all say, that he could lower taxes and deregulate, but the same tax levels that have been in place for 10 years, are still in place, so are you suggesting he lower them more? Then what about the deficit that GOP people think is so important? Cut discretionary spending? But that's the only way Obama can then create jobs, and we'll lose public sector ones? The economy would shrink, because...

You say you want private sector jobs, but corporations have recorded record profits, under the last 30 years of trickle down, but job growth has trended down. Blame it on ACA? But, this has been a 30 year trend, and ACA hasn't even been fully implemented?

Wow--I was looking for Feisty and of course she's here trying with all her might to blame it all on the mediator and, while you're at it, blame it on the altitude or blame it on Bush. Sarah--you sound more humble today than I've ever seen you. Usually you're calling people names and badmouthing the opposition with your lib minions.
If all you libs got out of this was Big Bird (whose cute little toys are made in China anyway) might lose some money--you're worse off than I thought.
It was a resounding win for Romney and Obama could barely complete a sentence without putting uhuhuhuhuhuhuh in it.
Romney/Ryan 2012
Eat it libs

Yep -- Mitt did better than usual last night. But after 3 months of one strike-out after another, he was bound to eventually get something right. Remember --- every so often even the pitcher gets a hit. That's doesn't mean he's wins the batting title.

Beverly in Chicago

Brianb1956

LIES!!! ALL ROMNEY DID WAS LIE!!

What about this liberals? Romney 67 - Obama 25... polls have it like this across the board. Sounds like a landslide victory to me.

Those rabid, racist are the ones who gave credence to those mythical poll numbers that that lyin POS, Romney won.

Beverly.....take your meds.....oh that's right, Obozocare doesn't cover them. The Government said you don't need them. Too bad.

Romney lie? I think not. If he did, Obama would have called out the lie immediately and try to expose Romney.

Instead, it was Obama who was exposed for the lying and incompetent leader he has been for 4 years!

America doesn't want to hear any more 'hope', 'change' BS.....and instead of 'forward', their slogan should be "backwards" because that's the direction this country is headed. DEBT, UNEMPLOYMENT, ECONOMY, JOB CREATION all in the TANK!

Beverly, I think it's time you take your ball and go home.

It's time for an experienced leader......not an experienced community organizer!

Hey Biden.....you're next chump!

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

BARRACK HUSSEIN GOT AN A$$ WHOOPIN!!!!

Way to go Mitt! No mercy attack.

Barrack Hussein had no idea, as usual, what was going on without his teleprompter. Stuttering, stammering, bumbling are hallmarks of this empty suit president.

It was refreshing to see Mitt finally show what it takes to be a president. He was stoic, honest and presidential

Of course the lamestream media is spinning this in all 4 directions groping for some silver lining to prop up their boy toy Barrack Hussein. Forget it, he got his hat handed to him last night.

Of course today in Colorado Barrack Hussein is try to cover his pathetic performance.

TOO LATE BARRACK!

You were exposed last night, before 60 million hard working Americans, for what you are. A community organizer, no more.

It’s time to send Barrack back to Chicago, maybe he can organize a few picnics for the teachers union that just ripped the taxpayers off again.

ROMNEY/RYAN 2012 FOR REAL AMERICANS©

I have read so many comments pertaining to Romney's evasive answers to questions that really cant be answered without a lie.

I appreciate the fact the man wont stand there and paint a pretty picture for us.

President Obama did this in the 2008 debates, only to fail to deliver the promises made. President Obama should be stepping down based on statements made in 2008.

That said, Most people want to be saddled with a bunch of empty promises.

I have yet to decide, although I am leaning towards Romney only to give someone else a chance to straighten things out here in the US.

Fiesty Redhead... do you ever read or think about the stuff that comes out of your mouth? Really, you're not doing the democrats, nor liberals any favors by talking.

Old Timer --

What do you conservatives mean? The GW tax cuts have always been a tax cut. The only reason that the President agreed to extend the tax cut beyond what its original framers decreed was so that our long-term unemployed could get an extension of unemployment benefits mid-winter! Since when is ending the GW tax cuts as has been planned all along since the Republicans passed them now considered an increase in taxes?

Great post, but you might as well go have lunch, as I'm about to do. If people can't even understand this much, we're doomed.

And after reading all the unfounded nonsense posted on the board this morning, even by people I used to respect, it becomes horribly clear that they can't.

As a 53 year old, I could be one of the 1st in line for a medicare voucher. NO THANK YOU!

When a corporate CEO, Romney destroyed businesses and put workers out of jobs. Now he says, if elected POTUS, he will provide incentives and means to create businesses and jobs. The Republicans burned down the economy between 2001 and 2007. Now Romney attacks Obama for only putting out the fire and stabilizing the economy. The attack is, after the Repubs destroyed the city, the Dems have not yet rebuilt it.

It's easy to appear the dominant and decisive one when you are spewing attacks and offering platitudes. It may appear weak to attempt intelligent and calm replies to misinformation and obscure and vapid proclamations.

Not a problem. Willard will say ANYTHING to get what he wants, and what he wants is the opportunity to advance the feudal agenda of the entitled investor class and the corporate aristocracy. I doubt seriously that many will suddenly forget that Romney's personal history is about destroying the working and middle class.

Anybody know how many times Romney and Obama actually agreed with each other? It seemed like a lot to me. Not very much to get too excited about if you ask me. Two sides of the same coin, neither with a real plan to fix the economy.

JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"

OBAMA said, “ Ask not what you can do for your country – ask what your country can do for you”

The contrast is clear. In fact, it is BLACK and WHITE!

AHHHHHH it's so refreshing watching the lamestream media trying to protect their empty suit Barrack Hussein.

Andrea Mitchell just got schooled by John Sununu on PMSNBC about the debate.

The Libbies are struggling to cover for the pathetic performance of Barrack Hussein and they are failing miserably.

Of course the big new talking point is Big Bird. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This is the best you can do?

Go away Libbies, Barrack was schooled and beaten with superior statesmanship. Mitt has been around a lot longer, dealt with a antagonistic legislature in Massachusetts and knows business.

It's time for a real change!

ROMNEY/RYAN 2012 FOR REAL AMERICANS©

And after reading all the unfounded nonsense posted on the board this morning,

Sure AM because youre so objective and open minded. Yeah AM you've had your doozeys. You cant even give credit where it is due, and that is what will always keep you as a partisan. So why you think all this has been unfounded nonsense, it's amazing that you find Obama cheering to be so enlightening and insightful

For Obama's sake I hope Ass-Kicking is covered by Obamacare............

probusiness - I have to admit, that is a pretty good line.

I wish it did not fit so well.

To all my Liberal friends,

Guys, Romney won last night. End of story. Don't worry about it. I saw the President at his first post-debate rally in Colorado this morning (on TV) and he was fired up. He was taking Romney to task for all of his flip-flops and lies last night and he was soaring like a hawk.

We all know the Romney who showed up last night was not the Romney who has been running for the Presidency for the last year. He reversed himself on several key issues and out and out disowned some previously held positions.

It was classic Romney. He will say or do anything to get elected. I agree with Sarah that the Romney victory last night was really more of an Obama loss. Like Romney, the Obama who showed up to the debate last night was not the Obama we are used to seeing. The Obama we all know and love was at the rally this morning.

So have faith kids. The President lost last night's debate. But I suspect it will be a very different story for the next two.

There is great wisdom in General Giap's axiom, "By losing, we win." I don't expect most of you to understand what Giap was saying, but I will just point out, he did win the war.

Obama/Biden 2012

Clear,

In the immortal words of Bensten, "You are no Jack Kennedy". Now, for the love of Jebus, take it off bold.

ClearVoice2 --

JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"

OBAMA said, “ Ask not what you can do for your country – ask what your country can do for you”

And Romney says, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what is the least that you can do for your country."

Mitt Romney is no Jack Kennedy.

The contrast is clear. In fact, it is BLACK and WHITE!

Well, at least you got that right.

Sarah, I felt the same way. Obama lost it. Romney did better than expected, but nothing was stellar. He left himself open several times and I would think the Presidents got him. Only to be stunned with a very weak rebuttal if any at all. Hopefully this does not carry in to the second round. However, besides the perceptionof Romney winning the first debate, I am not sure how this makes someone want to vote for him.