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Subscribe to RSSAfter Tuesday's fiery presidential debate, the heated arguments between GOP candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama showed no signs of cooling on the stump as they tried to cast each other as economic threats to voters in Ohio, Iowa and Virginia. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
LEESBURG, Va. – In two appearances Wednesday in the critical battleground state of Virginia, Mitt Romney focused on what he called the president's lack of a second term agenda, while avoiding Libya, a major flashpoint from Tuesday night's debate.
"I think it’s interesting that the president still doesn’t have an agenda for a second term. Don’t you think that it’s time for him to finally put together a vision of what he’d do in the next four years if he were elected?" Romney said in Chesapeake, Va. on Wednesday afternoon.
At an evening event in Northern Virginia, Romney continued to work that theme, occasionally revisiting moments from the debate – as President Barack Obama did on the stump after the first debate – with snappier retorts.
"I just have to mention, I remember last night the president also saying about energy," Romney recalled before some 8,000 supporters Wednesday night. "He said, you know, we built pipelines that would go around the earth, and I thought, ‘It's just the one that comes from Canada with the oil is the one that we want, you see?’ And that's the one I'm going to get."
Libya went unmentioned in either appearance on Wednesday.
Alex Brandon / AP
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks during a campaign event in front of a barn at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Va. on Wednesday.
The timeline of the attacks and the Obama administration’s response seemed to trip Romney during the debate.
Conservatives had previously said the attacks show the White House’s weakness in terms of foreign policy, and both campaigns spent much of Tuesday night's spin room session with reporters re-litigating the finer points of the administration's declaration of the attack as an act of terror.
"With 20 days left, today was a good day to hammer home the contrast between a candidate who has a plan to fix the economy in Governor Romney and a candidate who doesn't have a record to run on or a plan for the future, that being President Obama," Romney senior adviser Kevin Madden said when asked why Romney didn't talk about Libya Wednesday. "Libya is still an issue with many voters, particularly given the conflicting statements from the president and his administration about the nature of the attack. The American people still have unanswered questions."
Obama campaign spokesperson Jen Psaki offered a different view while discussing the debate with reporters aboard Air Force One today, suggesting that Obama's command of the Libya questions in Tuesday's debate might have shut down conversation on the issue -- for now.
"Our view is that the president – the back-and-forth on Libya last night was one of the best moments for the president, one of the best moments in recent debate history," Psaki said. "And that's because the president made clear that being commander-in-chief is about being a leader. It’s not about political gamesmanship."
Reuters, Getty Images
In the final push in the 2012 presidential election, candidates Mitt Romney and Barack Obama make their last appeals to voters.
With a foreign policy debate coming Monday, Romney did make a point of mentioning other global issues at his second stop Wednesday, highlighting the importance of keeping America's military strong and ticking off a handful of world trouble spots he rarely mentions in a typical stump speech.
"I look around the world at North Korea, with its nuclear capability and a very strange dictator. I look at what’s happening throughout the Middle East and Pakistan," Romney said. "I look around North Africa now, with north Mali having been taken by an al-Qaida affiliate, and I recognize the world continues to be dangerous, and the decisions we make now about our military will determine our ability to defend ourselves in the future."
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Or we could talk about romney's dodging the equal pay for women question in the debate. Can anyone say "Binders of Women" (translation: Mormon Joy Book) Ha ha Ha Ha Ha ha ha !!!!!!!!!!!!!Obama/ Smokin Joe Biden Vulture/Crying 1040's??????????????????????
What the Left really needs to work on is, getting Romney to release at least 12 years of tax returns, because I get a feeling that he's guilty of either tax evasion or voter fraud!
Corporations are people to my friend! Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Obama/ Smokin Joe Biden2012 Vulture/ Crying 1040's?????????????????????????????
Or we could talk foreign policy. Russia is our number 1 global enemy! No! I meant to say Iran! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Obama/ Smokin Joe Biden2012 Vulture/Crying 1040's?????????????????????
Or we could talk about tax fairness for the middle class! Except Mitt will not show us his taxes! Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Obama/ Smokin Joe Biden 2012 VULTURE/CRYING 1040's????????????????
Or we could talk about........... awwww forget it! My Daddy told me never to kick a man or a wounded animal when they are the ground in their death throes. Obama/ Smokin Joe Biden 2012 VULTURE/CRYING 1040's??????????????????????????
How are you different from President Bush, Mr. Romney? All points Rom presented were exactly wrong, in fact Romney being the same as Bush, in fact he is apparently a clone of Bush. And of the points Obama followed with on social policy Rom is worse, even worse than Obama said, Obama getting one point wrong. So the economy is due for another Bush-tastic fail if Romney makes it. I'll be laughing all the way to the ballot box since I'm voting for Obama and I know people won't vote Bush, not one in the hand (Romney) or two in the Bush (Romney & Ryan)!
A question should be asked to President Obama? Why did you do nothing the first year of your Presidency to fix this supposed tax for the rich ponsy scheme he is trying to promote by playing Robin Hood? He had all the power.
What is his plan to reduce the deficit and improve the economy by creating job? Seriously, I have not heard his plan yet and like Romney said today, we are still waiting for this great plan. We already know his current plan did not work.
He had all the power
That statement is completely false
A relentless man of the mind like Hank Rearden or yourself might try reading if hearing didn't produce results
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget
There are lots of issues, but in the end, the President had 4 years to fix th eeconomy and he failed miserably. He has no plan to fix his own mess. The American people are smarter than allowing a man with no business background a second shot at fixing the economy. As far as Lybia, the President contradicted himself last night after the debate. First he wants to say his "act of terror statement" meant he was saying it was act of terrorist the day after. Then, he goes to the person who asks the question and explains he wanted to do an investigation and find out if it was terrorists.
Seriously, he just trapped himself into a confrimed lie. People will figure that out because based on his own statements, you can't have it both ways.
Men of the mind such as yourself need neither transcipts or quotes.
No...terrorists come in all sizes, shapes, and motivations. Which terrorists? Were they part of an Al Qaeda-Libyan cell? Were they from outside Libya? Were they a local group? Did they lure the Ambassador into a trap? Who was involved? Was the attack premeditated by months? By days? By hours? Did the video tape play a role in their motivation? Did the predator killing of an Al Qaeda member in Pakistan, who was from Libya, play a role? Why was security so light? Did the Ambassador request more security and get denied?
Four Americans and numerous Libyan security people were killed by several hundred well-armed men, in civilian clothes...that is a definition of terrorism, but it leaves many unanswered questions.
The vast majority of U.S. Presidents have been either lawyers or military men. Very few have had extensive business experience...the three since the beginning of the 20th century were: Warren Harding (publishing), who headed up probably the most corrupt administration in our country's history and is rumoured to have died in bed with his mistress, in a San Francisco hotel, on his return from an official visit in Alaska; Herbert Hoover (mining), who was in office at the start of the Great Depression; and George W. Bush (baseball) in office at the time of two recessions and the worst attack on American continental soil since the war of 1812.
"Busniess people" caused the recession...bankers and politicians who believed "free markets self-regulate" and who took tax payer money to recover from their mistakes and maintain their bonuses. That doesn't mean "all business people are crooks or incompetent," but neither is it a great recommendation or assurance that "a business person" has the answers to our present economic problems.
*Breaking News*
This just in.
Gov. Romney through undisclosed sources has revealed his one point plan on how to save our economy!
He had not planned to announce it until after he had become President, but to his dismay it was leaked through an undisclosed source.
His plan is to instruct the Immigration Dept. That starting March 01, 2013 they were to start deporting senior citizens, instead of illegal’s.
He figures that by eliminating social security, and medicare costs and that will save our economy.
He thinks seniors will be much easier to roundup and deport, and considering they are old and senile that they’ll never figure out or remember how to get back home!
And, it would be keeping in the tradition of Bain Capital, but only deporting old people instead of jobs!
Now, that’s definitely a Plan!
Pull out your 2008 taxes and investments. If your 2012 statements are better, then Obama is who you should vote for. Its that simple. If you can't vote your own interest, you are a fool.
I'm not in the $250,000 per year club. There is NO WAY this NASCAR fan would EVER vote for Romney, or anyone like him.
Kolob
Romney got his butt kicked, and made himself look like a fool on Libya and the "Binders" of Women!
I don't believe anything that comes out of Romney's arrogant mouth!
But Democrat's it will be a close race, so get out talk to people. I'm volunteering again to canvass, and make phone calls for President Obama and all Democrats!
O&JOE
Obama was seen as "winning" the debate, probably due to attacking Romney & sandbagging before the debate, but he lost on key issues. Issues are what matters, that's how Romney has taken the lead in this race.
Here are the results of who won the debate, according to a scientific poll run by CNN immediately after the debate. (Registered voters)
Romney looks good:
Who would better handle economy: Romney 58%, Obama 40%
Who would better handle the deficit: Romney 59%, Obama 36%
Did Obama offer clear plan: Yes 38%, No 61%
Other questions.
Who won the debate? Obama 46%, Romney 39%
Obama versus expected: Better 73%
Romney versus expected: Better 37%, Worse 28%
More likely to vote for: Obama 25%, Romney 25%, Neither: 48%
Stronger leader: Romney 49%, Obama 46%
More likeable: Obama 47%, Romney 41%
More time attacking: Obama 49%, Romney 35%
More caring: Obama 44%, Romney 40%
Answered questions: Romney 45%, Obama 43%
Who would better handle health care: Romney 49%, Obama 46%
So you believe Romney will reduce all of our taxes, balance our budget, reduce our national debt, increase military spending, replace Social Security as we know it and for the better, reduce health care costs while guaranteeing everyone can acquire excellent/better coverage than they now have, reduce government involvement in our banking and commerce while ensuring us they will not loot our national economy again, all while whistling Dixie - is that what you believe? Best of luck genius.
ss: oh! ohhh! this is all the libs need to know. nuf said!
Romney has one other plan, and that is to continue the trickle down acid rain that makes the economy grow!
It is really this simple - Romney sucks as a candidate and Obama is going on to a second term as POTUS.
Kolob
Romney is still dazed and confused from the debate last night. He is not used to having his pampered entitled rear handed to him!
For god's sake, now the fool wants to go to war with Mali. You want to know the President's agenda for his second term? That's easy. Keep all the laws in place that the GOP wants to repeal: ACA, Dodd-Frank, etc. Give the CFPB some real teeth. Get judges confirmed to fill all the vacancies on the federal bench. Pass meaningful spending and deficit reduction combined with reasonable tax policy. Keeping our military strong without bloating it to the point that it starves other social needs. What First Read should have done was to do a write up of Obama's Iowa speech today - now there was a speech with specifics and no mention of Mali.
Romney ran businesses for nearly 25 years. And suddenly he had to get a binder to find qualified women?
Women. He is full of -s h i t-.
Pay attention to what he does, not what he says.
Turns out it wasn't his binder - it was given to him. And like so many "takers" in the elite one percent - he takes credit for the work.
arry.guess you never filled out a resume, or book report for school. what the f--k did you use to hold the pages together? staple your work to a paper bag?
LOL Now that is the epitome of desperate Doc. LMAO
Mittens is certainly no Commander-In-Chief...and his side kick is even worse. He really has no idea about foreign policy.
I have never been more pleased with my decision to have quit the Republican Party than I have in watching the lies and propaganda promoted by that party and its candidates this election. In can see where the uneducated get sucked into it but for those others, I can't see how they ignore the damage this lack of integrity is causing our country. FOX News is no news organization. It is a propaganda wing of the ultra right. I always considered myself a conservative. More so than most. In that, I refuse to be party to the destruction of truth and integrity the Republican leaders are using in their attempt to win at any cost. Lies, manipulation, cheat, propaganda, more lies, and more and more. How sad, how corrupt!
The Romney/Ryan ticket, if it won, would have the least amount of foreign policy experience of any President/Vice President team since prior to the Second World War. So far, he's botched his European trip and his premature intervention in a tactical situation in Libya.
Hmmm...I was a PAC contributing Republican between McGovern and Bush Junior...voted for his father twice.
Actually all of their FP would come from Bush II Neo-Cons. This is even worse in a way because we all know how Bush II completely sucked at Foreign Policy.
Agreed.
stone: let me just say with obama and foreign policy as senator...he was chairman on the committee of europen foriegn affairs, not once did the great obama hold a meeting, in fact, he was pre comaigning. he was called the do nothing senator.
Release your tax returns liar.
Of course not, he has to try and find a way to figure out how to attack the President on it without conveying the stupid conspiracy theory angle from the Right right now. He comes out looking like a Conspirist and he might as well nail himself to a cross because Independents and non-Committeds do not care about such conspiracy theories.
Mr romney accuses the president of not having an economic plan. I must have missed Mr romney's great economic plan. Does anyone know???
His is a 5-point generalized plan with no specifics just: "I cannot tell you because I do not know what Congress will do".
Romney does not know what Congress will do?
Since he has been running for office in all of the last 6 years, was he so busy with economic crisis to be notice, or working as a much valued contributor to the health care legislation, or did he provide any business assistance to reform faulty finance laws, or was he working to finance energy investment?
If not then how was it that he missed the congressional session for that past 3 1/2 years?
News: The Republicans have already voted to block economic recovery, for the past 3 1/2 years?
jean: oh forgot. like lawyers knowing about medicine, so too community organizers know about economics.
Romney doesn't have to say another word about Libya until Monday. Obama has already been nailed to the cross for lying to America and the World again. Let him hang himself until Monday when Romney finishes him off.
Where do the lies stop Obama..
I think it was Romney who got put in his place! He sat there like a child getting a scolding and rightfully so!
This will get the Turds in a licking frenzy:
The CNN numbers break down as follows:
Asked who won on the economy, it was Romney: 58-40%
Who won on Taxes? Romney: 51-44%
Who is a stronger leader? Romney: 49-46%
Who won on Health Care? Romney: 49-46%
Who’ll fix the deficit? Romney, by an impressive 49-36%
lucky: Fascinating figures. I wonder what debate they were watching.
think that ABC almost came out with the same numbers. obama is like a stake that has been on the grill for too long, it is well done.