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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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Gov Romney is a disrespectful piece of @!$%#. How dare he disrespect the office of the president in the manner he has done.
To be at this level of politics and behave the way he did on a national platform is very telling on how he would operate if ever elected. We would find ourselves in conflicts across the globe. Obama didnt win the debate alone. Gov Romney helped him by showing us who he really is.
Romney looks down at Obama the man and believes he is superior. He looked very foolish.
It's the military that keeps this country strong and Obama is bringing us down!
So you are one of those who want to start more wars to spend more of our money on no bid contracts to Mitt and his friend's companies to drain the treasury, increase our debt and murder our service men and women??? Now that we know where you stand, we know how much weight to give your comments.
"Looking around" means nothing, Mr. Romney. We all do that. Got any clues? Any solutions? This is not a hopeless pursuit. One has to be knowledgeable, then clear on purpose, then able to communicate. Frankly you are none of those. Your opponent is.
"Mitt the twit" in charge would leave the world and especially US worse off. Mitt isn't any better when it comes to the subject of the US economy. With all "Romneyshambles bogus claims never seems to come a price ie "beefing up the military" as if that would be done for free. The country doesn't need another "boss" What it needs is a decent leader and we have that already with President Obama. Obama-Biden 2012!
The entire Republican party should be held accountable for obstructing for the last four years . If they caan't be tried then , then vote them into unemployement . Vote Obama and straight Democratic for the working class to reclaim this country from corporate Republican money mongers . Most of us have worked for a company that was run by jerks who squeezed the little guy , and that's the kind of guy Romney is. Just now he wants to do it on a national level.
Economy, economy ... the way Medias describe the role of a president in a market economy (capitalism) seems to be misleading to me. Any president has little to do in a market economy. Government or public input is very limited (stimulus, spend in infrastructures, set policies ...). Romney hasn't say which policies are not working. The fiscal aspect of Government (Executive and legislative -republican are the majority in the house) intervention is quantifiable.
The economy is recovering. Better have a steady and strong recovery at the end of the process than something fast to crash again withing months.
So what it is Romney point?
The only thing Mitt is interested in is HIS economy. Hey! If he has to ship jobs to China to improve his bottom line, well, he's done it before. In fact, he's still doing it.
Romney's vision for America:
Damn, I wish I could vote your comment up again! How (unfortunately) true!
It doesn't get mentioned nearly enough....THIS IS THE GOP ECONOMY!!! Republicans in Congress blocked all of President Obama's job bills, including the huge road and transportation project. These would have added 2 million new jobs and reduced the unemployment rate; so it would be 6.8% if not for GOP obstruction. Horrible patriots! Remember, Mitch McConnel said "it's our number one job to make him a one term president". Even if it means SCREWING AMERICA - is the obvious implication. The GOP is despicable. And don't say "when the Dems held the house etc.". The Republicans filibustered their asses off, blocking all progress. IT'S THE GOP ECONOMY!!
obama is the one who said himself that if he did not get unemployment down and the deficet down, he would be a one term President. obama had full control of the house and senate the first 2 years. obama said about the shovel ready jobs, I guess they were not as ready as I thought. obama's plan is to destroy America. Romney's plan is to save America. Get your facts straight and a tissue.
I find it very difficult to believe so many Democratic people want all of us to PAY higher taxes, have a healthcare plan that is controlled by the government, PAY higher prices at the gas pumps, continue to keep hiring to low wage jobs, reject the Canada pipeline, eliminate off line drilling, prevent the people from having free scans and the list goes on. Wake up and vote Republican! I'm over 68 years and can't retire yet!
Free; President Obama HASN'T raised taxes, but he believes the SUPER RICH should play under the SAME RULES as everyone else. American health care is controlled by CORPORATIONS, not the Government. The POTUS has NO CONTOL over the price at the pump. If the Keystone pipeline didn't ENDANGER the aquifer, It would be approved, but the oil will be sold on the world market, probably to China, NOT American firms. There is more oil drilling now than under Geo. DUBYA Bush. WAKE UP, REPUBLICANS! You're being led astray!
free: health care plan controlled by the government? Are you writing this from Canada? Take a look at the facts of the ACA and then get back to us. Oh, and stop listening to fox, they are lying to you.
Dumbhey will NEVER be concerned about anybody BUT dumbney! He'd even throw whyan under the bus if it meant more for himself!
The DELUSIONAL TEApublicans are just ASTOUNDING! The LIES from Faux "News" are INCREDIBLE!
Remember the story that came out about Mitt (dog-on-the-car-roof) Romney and his "posse" in High School holding down a fellow student and CUTTING his hair because it was UNIQUE? Sounds like acts of a BULLY to me.
At the second debate, he did the same BULLYING against the moderator, Candy Crowley, while she was TERRIFIC!
Also was a BULLY by being DISRESPECTFUL toward the POTUS by talking over him and also telling him "you'll get your chance." Being a BULLY is One Foolish Idea!
Now, since he stuck his FOOT in his MOUTH about Benghazi, Libya is DROPPED and the economy is REVIVED as an issue. It won't help because he's WRONG there as well. We CANNOT go back to what got us in this economic HOLE.
Are TEApublicans willing to elect a BULLY just because of their IRRATIONAL HATRED of the POTUS?
Vote OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 and ANY non GOP candidates down the ballot. The POTUS deserves a second term with a CHASTISED minority party that will work WITH him and FOR the American people and not AGAINST EVERYTHING.
Actually, we are going to elect a real "man" Mitt Romney. Someone that will sit the chair in the oval office and make decisions, not like obama who is mia most of the time. Romney will stand up for us and fight for us. Are you just upset because Romney is ahead in the polls, get used to it. Americans are not stupid, they know obama has no plans. Romney will save America. I do not hate obama, just whas he has done to the USA.
Mitt isn't sure what he said but he stands behind it whatever it is. Sounds like the beginnings of dementia
VLGil; TEApublicans have an OBVIOUS HATRED of the POTUS, don't try to deny it. Wether it's RACIAL or something else is for others to confirm. Not ALL TEApublicans a racist but IF there are RACISTS, they are in the GOP, NOT with the Democratic party. To LIE about the OBVIOUS is One Foolish Idea!
The POTUS has been working EVERYDAY for the American people, getting NO help from the OBSTRUCTIONIST GOP. He has NOT been MIA. GET REAL!!
Can't follow your Administration's timetable or contradictions from different sources following the death of your Ambassador and Staff in Benghazi.
From day one it was obvious it wasn't just a street protest but a sophisticated terrorist attack which brought about the attack and the ensuing deaths.
Why then were Carney and others still insisting it resulted from a video.?
If they were mistaken (for days) surely the Commander-in-Chief could have corrected them?
As for the Moderator, turned coach, she provided better assistance than the President's well worn autocue..
romney has no idea what he is talking about but he is going to talk about it!
Romney wants to forget all about his foot in mouth performance in that last debate. As he was walking off stage he was heard to say "Good thing I was wearing three depends tonight instead of my usual two!"
‘It's just the one that comes from Canada with the oil is the one that we want, you see?
Actually it's the one you and your corporate interests want.
Building that pipeline doesn't mean the price of gasoline will drop even one penny, because the United States is not a socialist country.
It's not like just because you produce more oil or have more pipeline we magically get to keep it. Being a businessman, Romney knows the oil ends up on the open market, so acting like this is a viable energy solution is misleading at best.
actually i read about a month ago that if they put in this pipeline that it would raise the price of gas in the midwest part of the country becase the way its all set up now.....i live in in Long Beach Ca. and you would think that this town is filled with refineries and the ships unload here that gas would be cheap but it just dont work out that way.....seems like it would cost more to ship it farther but somehow that dont happen......I was out today and it was 4.41 a gallon for unleaded.......on the news today they said it was because of a shutdown at one of the companies that had some sort of accident and they had to shut down the refinery......funny how when they have an accident that the states going to fine them for that the people have to pay for it with higher gas prices because production is slowed down...........hmmmmmm
If I had 200+ million $$, I wouldn't be out looking for a job. Especially that job. Something really wrong with people like that.
correct, i live in the L.A. area and work in a local convience store... I see working class people every day and the word from everyone around here is up beat....hell i know people that have been switching jobs for higher pay and bennies just because they could........i dont see any reason to change back to the same old crap that got us here in the first place......despite the gops efferts to screw this country to get back into control the people have over come there crap and business has taken its natural course.......even a little faster than i thought it would.....because the housing collapse around here was nasty.......housing was expensive and still is but in 2008 a lot of people suddenly lost 50 percent of the value of the homes they bought......now its back to where it growing higher again than what they paid for them...I learned a long time ago that if somethings not broke dont mess with it an so I will vote for Obama/Biden in 2012
Which one is the patriot. Multiple choice question:
a.) The guy who went from poverty to the Presidency and still isn't even a millionaire yet, who actually cares about working-class America. Loves America because it has helped him get where he is because he believes in it.
b.) The guy who is as street-wise as a monk, puts all his money into foreign bank accounts, sends jobs to China, swoops down on failing businesses like a vulture and makes money off their demise and fires workers, and doesn't care about anyone in America except the 1%.
hmmmm thats a hard one...............i think i wont go with the mormon eliteist...
parry: either you are stupid or stupid. i think stupid. did you hear romney ask obama about his pension. obama has offshore holdings and overseas investments. did you hear that obama has a 35m home in Hi? of course he is a millionaire you stupid. guess what stupid. obama belonmgs to that 1%. god what a stupid. now go and ger smart.
don't know if you libs can read nor think. obama has invested 100,000 in stock with the company in Il. but hey, obama wouldn't do that, and tell you stupid libs. why, that would make him a true capitalist. and since he is a major investor, he knows about the chicoms. and what did he mean, "I know most of US are in need." at the debate. Obama is a multi millionaire. he doesn't need. You need. do you think he actually cares about you. hell, he thinks that you are a nuance, as like ants at a picnic.
just an after thought, obama continues to say, about paying more in taxes. he doesn't pay any more than romney. you libs are so stupid, that you probably can't find your keys to unlock the front door.
he thinks that you are a nuance, as like ants at a picnic.
Oh I thought you were talking about Romney.
oh, you think that romney is the only member of the 1% well, sit down, so you don't fall down. so is obama. like I said ants at a picnik.. oh, btw, obama doesn't like people. it is a facade with him,. the guy is a fake, fraud and phony. that is youir obama.
so is obama.
And so was FDR.
I'm tired of Obama portraying any criticism of his screw up on Benghazi as political. The American's died because Obama made the POLITICAL decision that no security for our countrymen played into his political myth that Al Qaeda was on the run.
Americans aren't as stupid as Obama needs them to be in order for him to get re-elected.
He's toast.
actually theres two familys of the people killed in libya that want Mitt to stop making it political....i would hope that mitt would respect this.............
Two families who support Obama want to ignore the fact that their family members died as a result of Obama's political decision.
I'm sure they want a full explanation to come out... After the election. Just when Hillary's bogus commission is supposed to release its findings.
And Dianne Feinstein has just come out and criticized the lax security there. Is that political, too?
Don't worry guys... Obama has known all along how to save the economy... it just took 4 year of suffering from the american people before he wanted to start...
We hear all this crap about liberals blaming Bush for this mess, which he does share blame, but Obama has continued most if not all of the same breaks and plans that Bush had set fourth.
But don't worry... Obama knows what he's doing... i think... does he? 4 years of what? No job growth, no economic growth, and a RECORD deficit.
We should be focusing on THE RECORD DEFICIT. Why do liberals not realize that we ALL pay back the deficit? The reason spending is so bad is because the money we're borrowing is from China. And if we owe China money they start getting away with alot of stuff. The stuff that they've been getting away with now for the past 12 years...
Nobama... don't have to vote Romney but don't make us suffer because you're to ignorant to admit a mistake in Obama.
Romney talking to folks in Virginia is sort of like Prince Harry going to a Cajun barn dance. Even the Mormons in Florida don't like him. Recon 43% of Americans prefer him. 47% are pissed off at him. 10% would rather watch baseball for excitement and don't care. He's already trailing significantly in probable electorial votes. Give it up, Romney !
get over it, Romney is the next president
Actually, Mitt Romney is nothing more than a talking head for Grover Norquist and Karl Rove. As Norquist so eloquently states, "All we need is a monkey who can sign his name to legislation and we will control America". Grover Norquist, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld are saying "Get our monkey elected and we are back".
perry: as charlie marcarthy said to w.c. fields, "boy, can that guy lie." marcarthy replaced fields with you. .
Get over it, R$mney has NO detailed economic plan, and OBama will be re-elected
The poor, sad, deluded righties are desperate to paint Mittens in a good light. Mittens however, has painted himself like a CLOWN! He has NOTHING to give Americans, except more of BUSH/CHENEY. NO WAY! Americans are too smart for that. We saw where that put us, and we will not go back!
O & JOE THE ONLY WAY TO GO!!!!
google "obama down low club"
obama is washed up.... the liberal media can't save him...and it is getting out what he really is.
No... Obama has what it takes it turn this country on the correct path. What is really getting out is how much of a flip flopper Romney is.