Obama vs. Romney, head to head in Denver
————————
9:03: And … they’re off, from the Magnus Arena in Denver. May the best candidate win.
9:15: Obama’s off-base on the claim that Romney proposes another $5 trillion in tax cuts. Romney’s right — with deductions reduced, the tax cut would not be anywhere near that large. Of course, Romney hasn’t explained WHICH deductions, and the deductions in play could not eliminate all or close to all of that $5 trillion …
9:22: Romney doing well, I think. Obama on the defensive.
9:31: Obama brings up Romney’s position in the primary that he would not accept $10 in budget cuts for $1 in revenue increases. A telling point.
9:34: Romney again rules out revenue increases absolutely. That makes progress against the deficit and the debt impossible. It makes the scale of cuts in Medicare and Medicaid and other programs, including defense, impossible to sustain. But Obama is not making that argument well.
9:48: Romney put more time into preparation, and it shows. Obama is missing opportunities.
9:51: Romney endorses the need for regulation. He is making the transition from primary to general election that he had not previously made.
9:57: Romney hints at the “death panel” argument, then lauds his own state version of ObamaCare.
10:04: Obama continues to leave opportunities on the table.
10:09: Romney beating on the “death panel” angle. All Obama needs to say is: “Governor, the plan that you implemented in Massachusetts has an identical panel that does the exact same thing.” But he does not.
10:18: Again, Romney better prepared and Obama is oddly passive, failing to strike at his opponent’s vulnerabilities. A strong night for the former governor of Massachusetts. A weak performance by the incumbent.
————————
With Barack Obama holding a sturdy if somewhat narrow lead of three to four points in the polls, and a broader lead in most electoral college projections, he and Republican challenger Mitt Romney meet tonight in Denver for the first of three presidential debates.
Typically, these events have the air of a Vegas prize fight. But having covered a few of those fights, I can tell you that there’s one big difference. In boxing, both camps boast endlessly beforehand about the whupping that their guy is going to put on the unlucky sap across the ring. Political handlers play just the opposite game, trying to underplay their man’s chances.
In recent days, it’s also been interesting to see Romney start to add some details to a previous vacuum of specifics, revealing that as president he would honor the two-year waiver granted to illegal immigrants brought here as children, and that he would limit more affluent taxpayers to $17,000 in deductions to at least partially offset his proposed 20 percent reduction in tax rates. I suspect that debate preparations convinced his camp that going into tonight without such details would have left him too exposed.
So stay tuned.
– Jay Bookman
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850 comments Add your comment
Common Sense isn't very Common
October 3rd, 2012
8:04 pm
Jay
You will tell who we think wins, won’t you
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
8:05 pm
Boom
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-02/romney-just-quietly-announced-a-good-tax-policy-idea.html
More to come
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:05 pm
President Obama will win.
King of Hearts
October 3rd, 2012
8:06 pm
People are still waiting for Mitt to do tonight what he couldn’t do since the primaries concluded. Hold your breath Cons. It’s coming!
moonbat betty
October 3rd, 2012
8:06 pm
It’s like the super bowl!
Obama 2008 and 2012:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5UgimK3vrI
Jay
October 3rd, 2012
8:07 pm
“You will tell who we think wins, won’t you”
I already know, but I don’t want to spoil the suspense.
Fred ™
October 3rd, 2012
8:07 pm
Josef
October 3rd, 2012
8:05 pm
Well, this is a helluva way to spend your 20th anniversary…
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have links where you can see romantic moments with Barry and Michele and send a donation.
NOTE: To all you asshats, I said ROMANTIC moments, not pornographics ones so get your minds out of the gutter.
Mick
October 3rd, 2012
8:08 pm
jm
Boom
How can we trust romney or the republican brand for that matter? It’s a problem…
Fred ™
October 3rd, 2012
8:10 pm
LOL moonbat betty. I love that song but I never realized Starship did it.
Anyway, here is MY favorite “Miracle” song. I think you’ll like it, it’s harder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jseTa7HUIDU
King of Hearts
October 3rd, 2012
8:10 pm
“Romney start to add some details to a previous vacuum of specifics”
So Libs will only have a few weeks to attack them.
bman
October 3rd, 2012
8:10 pm
can you work out a deal with Dominos to get us a $1 off?
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:11 pm
Running on helping the middle class is lie so his whole campaign is a lie.
A fairy tale, if you will.
The gop will not vote to help the middle class. Period.
barking frog
October 3rd, 2012
8:11 pm
Mano a Mano is more macho.
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
8:12 pm
” I suspect that debate preparations convinced his camp that going into tonight without such details would have left him too exposed.”
Or he’s releasing specifics deliberately at the time when voters finally start to tune in.
Any Obama specifics other than “forward”? Not really
Fred ™
October 3rd, 2012
8:12 pm
bman: Just stiff the delivery driver a buck on the tip. I mean you ARE a Romney supporter aren’t you?
Oh wait, that would mean you don’t tip the driver in the first place…….
Mick
October 3rd, 2012
8:12 pm
Bam….which candidate is most likely to plunge us into another senseless war? Who do you trust on that score?
Elmer Fudd's son
October 3rd, 2012
8:13 pm
Get the zingers ready Womney.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:13 pm
he would limit more affluent taxpayers to $17,000 in deductions to at least partially offset his proposed 20 percent reduction in tax rates
Interesting…. can we apply that to corporations (people, ya know) too?
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
8:14 pm
Romney has plenty of specifics.
If you watch something other than MSNBC and read something other than bookman, you too can learn about them.
Brosephus™
October 3rd, 2012
8:15 pm
“Romney start to add some details to a previous vacuum of specifics”
So Libs will only have a few weeks to attack them.
If his plans are sound and viable, why would he worry about somebody attacking them? Facts are facts, just as opinions are opinions. He should have been laying details like his name was Johnny Appleseed.
barking frog
October 3rd, 2012
8:15 pm
Will either candidate talk
about the war we are
sliding into in North Africa?
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:15 pm
Fred,
After he finishes mitt, the Lincoln bedroom will be rockin so don’t bother knockin
He will have a bigger smile than usual tomorrow.
F. Sinkwich
October 3rd, 2012
8:15 pm
“Any Obama specifics other than “forward”? Not really”
None required. He is hope and change…er, at least hope, sorta…
Elmer Fudd's son
October 3rd, 2012
8:16 pm
Get to it already! I figure it’ll be over in a few minutes…maybe Barry “ropes a dope”. I forgot that making money part…sorry.
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
8:16 pm
Keep, Romney fully plans to reform and overhaul the corporate tax code including a massive elimination of tax breaks
bman
October 3rd, 2012
8:17 pm
Fred lolol
Well, I don’t financially support the Romney ticket, but i wish he could pull it off. Of course, it’s low on my wish-list. Besides, I have to tip the delivery drivers because they know where I work : )
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 3rd, 2012
8:17 pm
he would limit more affluent taxpayers to $17,000 in deductions to at least partially offset his proposed 20 percent reduction in tax rates
Well, seems to me that might could still be a Tax Increase and that goes against what the Big Guy wants.
Grover, where are you?
Mick
October 3rd, 2012
8:17 pm
jm
Great job cheerleading but….romney’s plan doesn’t really add up and I have a feeling you know it too; your on the anyone but obama team…
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
8:18 pm
Bro 8:15
He already has. Tune in
Fred ™
October 3rd, 2012
8:19 pm
bman: Domino’s doesn’t deliver to my neighborhood………..
F. Sinkwich
October 3rd, 2012
8:20 pm
Lib ilks want to see the Mittster’s plans down to the 7th decimal point yet they pass a $2.8 trillion Obamacare bill just so we can find out what’s in it afterwards.
Go figure.
Fred ™
October 3rd, 2012
8:20 pm
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
8:18 pm
Bro 8:15
He already has. Tune in
++++++++++++++++++++
Wow. Another Jm lie. They just all blend together after a while until all one reads is blah blah blah………
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:20 pm
Yes, Jm, so I have heard….but not how he plans to do all of that and make the numbers work by not adding to the deficit.
I also heard he plans to cure cancer, walk on water and create jobs for every American, each paying $1 million. You got those details too or just swallowing the hook?
Brosephus™
October 3rd, 2012
8:20 pm
Romney has plenty of specifics.
Obviously not enough for Bloomberg. From your own posted linkee…
How generous this makes Romney’s proposal depends crucially on how he treats health benefits…
…
This is something the Romney campaign should flesh out. Romney also did not address whether the $17,000 cap is adjusted for filing status. If married couples get a substantially higher allotment than singles, that could adjust for the health care issue.
5. There are some details that should be fleshed out. Particularly, many tax preferences do not take the form of deductions, but of credits or exclusions….
In order to determine how much money this plan would raise, we need to know whether a wide variety of tax preferences would be impacted, or only below-the-line deductions. I hope Romney will indicate that his plan also hits tax exclusions, as that would raise a lot more revenue and do more to eliminate distortions in the tax code….
Seems like the person writing that article is looking for specifics that Romney still has not detailed. He did state, however, that Romney gave enough specifics to actually be scored this time. I guess he gets an A for effort in that aspect.
Brosephus™
October 3rd, 2012
8:21 pm
jm
Even your Bloomberg writer thinks Johnny Appleseed is still shooting blanks….
Mick
October 3rd, 2012
8:21 pm
sink
You forgot redistribution, golf, telemprompter , 57, and american apologizer..there feel better?
F. Sinkwich
October 3rd, 2012
8:23 pm
“bman: Domino’s doesn’t deliver to my neighborhood………..”
If I had a pizza place I wouldn’t deliver to Section 8 either, Fred.
Brandt Hardin
October 3rd, 2012
8:24 pm
Obama is simply going to wipe the floor with him. Romney is a rich pariah who simply can’t identify with ANY average American through his fog of lies and network of havened money. He’ll only continue to get booed out of the room by every group of minority and middle class voters he comes across. His religion and wealth is highly elitist and everyone in this country has had it with his kind. We’re telling Mitt he can’t buy this election! Read about the role of his money and his Magic Mormon Underwear are playing in the polls at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/05/mitt-romneys-magic-mormon-underwear.html
moonbat betty
October 3rd, 2012
8:25 pm
Obama has to be nervous as $hit.
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:25 pm
“Romney fully plans to reform and overhaul the corporate tax code including a massive elimination of tax breaks”
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/799378/original.jpg
Mick
October 3rd, 2012
8:25 pm
sink
You actually raise a good point, shouldn’t it really be called pelosicare? I mean the congress makes the laws, correct?
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
8:25 pm
Bro
The phrase “more to come” must be over your head.
And even so, the guy’s not going to write a full all encompassing tax bill before he’s prez doofus
Fred ™
October 3rd, 2012
8:26 pm
F. Sinkwich
October 3rd, 2012
8:23 pm
“bman: Domino’s doesn’t deliver to my neighborhood………..”
If I had a pizza place I wouldn’t deliver to Section 8 either, Fred.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And with THAT, I’m out. Later folks. Enjoy the debate. Wish I could blog with you but she who must be obeyed wants me to watch it with her.
F. Sinkwich
October 3rd, 2012
8:26 pm
“You forgot redistribution, golf, telemprompter , 57, and american apologizer..there feel better?”
Nope.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:28 pm
If I had a pizza place I wouldn’t deliver to Section 8 either, Fred
Because of course, the color of their money is different or spends differently? Is this the type of brainless “zingers” to expect from Romney tonight to satisfy the conned?
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:28 pm
filky.
You are likable like mitt.
Josef
October 3rd, 2012
8:28 pm
Fred…
They didn’t send us nuthin for our anniversary, why should we send them anything?
Fred ™
October 3rd, 2012
8:28 pm
Ok. As I was leaving I just got an email from Barry. I have to admit that the cynical side of me finds this amusing.
In just a little while, I’ll go on stage to meet Mitt Romney in the first presidential debate here in Denver.
I couldn’t be prouder to represent you out there.
Fred, it’s because of you that affordable health care is within reach for millions more Americans. It’s because of you that we’ve seen 30 straight months of job growth and middle-class families have seen their taxes cut.
Together, we’ve done a lot — but there is so much more to do to keep this country moving forward. That only happens if we win this election.
Before tonight’s debate, will you chip in $5 or more to help finish this campaign strong?
https://donate.barackobama.com/Stand-With-Me
Can’t wait to see what you do tonight.
Barack
Why do I think he didn’t really send that himself to ME lol? And why do I think I’ll get another email begging for cash AFTER the debate?
Later
bman
October 3rd, 2012
8:29 pm
“If I had a pizza place I wouldn’t deliver to Section 8 either, Fred.”
There are 2 people you shouldn’t poke at … Fred and Jamvet
They make people look stupid. Steer clear of those 2
moonbat betty
October 3rd, 2012
8:30 pm
Good stuff, Fredro.
JamVet
October 3rd, 2012
8:31 pm
How pathetic is this candidate?
Even the cons can’t stand Mitt.
Two straight primaries of six or more laughable lunatic fringers and both times the droolers can’t get any of them past the sixth inning, so the RINO gets nominated.
What a clusterflub of a political party…
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:31 pm
Economists liked our President’s plan better than mitt’s by a large margin. Fact.
Fred ™
October 3rd, 2012
8:31 pm
Josef
October 3rd, 2012
8:28 pm
Fred…
They didn’t send us nuthin for our anniversary, why should we send them anything?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
But yours wasn’t legal lol. You are just “shacked up.”
You know what? That is obviously a joke, but it just doesn’t look right. Why do you think? Maybe because while it’s true it ISN’T “right?”
And now I HAVE to go. Give unmentionable a hug.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:32 pm
the guy’s not going to write a full all encompassing tax bill before he’s prez doofus
To simplify… “You must elect me first to know what I will do”… This is acceptable to the same people who mock Pelosi with a lie.
F. Sinkwich
October 3rd, 2012
8:33 pm
“Because of course, the color of their money is different or spends differently?”
No, just allergic to lead.
Donovan
October 3rd, 2012
8:34 pm
Can we dispense with the chest beating, libs? Let’s see how your community organizer weasels out of explaining his miserable track record.
You guys remind me of the nerd who comes to the dance with a skank and tries to convince everyone that she is the home coming queen. Please, enough!
moonbat betty
October 3rd, 2012
8:34 pm
Yeah, it is sad JV,
Obama can’t bury the worst challenger EVER?
I don’t know, John Kerry was pretty bad!!
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
8:35 pm
Brandt Hardin
October 3rd, 2012
8:24 pm
Read about the role of his money and his Magic Mormon Underwear are playing in the polls
__________________________________________________________________________
OH GOODY!
Can we now make jokes about;
Harry Reids “magic drawers”
Leibermans mystic beanie and candleholder
Edleson’s(?) enchanted flying carpet prayer rug
You DO plan to be religious BIGOT about them all, right?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:36 pm
No, just allergic to lead.
Because all people receiving Section 8 assistance are criminals, violent or live in bad neighborhoods?
Mick
October 3rd, 2012
8:37 pm
**Good stuff, Fredro.**
Now thats friggin funny
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
8:38 pm
moonbat betty
October 3rd, 2012
8:25 pm
Obama has to be nervous as $hit.
____________________________
Why?
Obama has an EC lead and he is debating Romney.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:39 pm
You guys remind me of the nerd who comes to the dance with a skank and tries to convince everyone that she is the home coming queen. Please, enough!
Someone has apparently never seen revenge of the nerds…
Mick
October 3rd, 2012
8:39 pm
moonbat
Sorry but I think kerry smoked ole georgie three times and we never really got a clear explanation of that mysterious hump in the prez back…..guess he was just a handicap hunchback, who knew?
tireofit
October 3rd, 2012
8:40 pm
To the GOP; middle class is second class.
Brosephus™
October 3rd, 2012
8:40 pm
The phrase “more to come” must be over your head.
And how long have we been waiting for “more to come”???
And even so, the guy’s not going to write a full all encompassing tax bill before he’s prez doofus
Well, even if he becomes Prez Doofus, he’s not going to write full, all encompassing tax legislation then, and only a brainless bloombot would assume that I even expect him to do so now.
When you “announce” a plan, you usually actually have a fairly detailed plan already established and can generally brief people on the important points without leaving them with so many questions to ask. You would think that a “captain of industry” such as Romney would be quite aware of such a thing. If someone who was a store manager in retail knows that (me), don’t you think a CEO of a Global Financial Firm would know as much, if not more?
David Granger
October 3rd, 2012
8:40 pm
I just hope Jim Lehrer will treat both candidates equally. If he asks President Obama about his college transcripts, then he should ask Mitt Romney about his tax returns…and vice-versa. Don’t press one candidate for a BS spin-type answer, while letting the other one get away with it.
Frankly, I wish they’d let E. J. Dionne question Romney, and let George Will question Obama…with instant fact-checking on the spot. That way we’d have a REAL debate, not this charade that we usually wind up with.
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:41 pm
don and filky hate everybody except the wealthy just like mitt.
Common Sense isn't very Common
October 3rd, 2012
8:41 pm
Wow
Mitt knows how to write a tax plan, but hires the best high priced accountants to do his?
I wonder who REALLY wrote what he is calling his tax plan, may be like the Romney Budget plan written by Ryan LOL
JamVet
October 3rd, 2012
8:42 pm
betty, this race is not close. Sure conservative outlets like CNN are saying “polls are narrowing!” but the last thing that they need is a cakewalk. So what do you expect them to write?
So, the deranged neocons pretend it is close, but where it counts, Flip is gonna get splattered.
I’m having a hard time believing that Flip gets even 220 EC votes…
bman
October 3rd, 2012
8:42 pm
Keep up …
“Boulevard is notable for being a center of high crime and drug activity in Atlanta, as well as the location of the highest concentration of Section 8 housing in the Southeastern United States.”
It’s a nice evening for a stroll.
F. Sinkwich
October 3rd, 2012
8:42 pm
“Because all people receiving Section 8 assistance are criminals, violent or live in bad neighborhoods?”
Nope.
Just don’t like the odds.
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:43 pm
David,
He will be fair and doubt he will ask mitt about his crazy “terrorist sympathizer” attack.
moonbat betty
October 3rd, 2012
8:45 pm
JV, This race will be very close.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
October 3rd, 2012
8:45 pm
BIG govt vs SMALL govt, take your choice? You decide?
Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (aka "Knuckle-Dragger")
October 3rd, 2012
8:45 pm
Its funny, but my polls still have Romney up 10 points or so. Wonder who is correct?
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:45 pm
filky is scared.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:46 pm
bman, sorry pal, you are moving the goalposts.. prove that ALL people receiving Section 8 assistance are criminals, violent or live in bad neighborhoods.
PS– you are also saying apparently that people who are not receiving Section 8 assistance also are criminals, violent or live in bad neighborhoods.
Enjoy your walk… remember the eyeholes go in front.
moonbat betty
October 3rd, 2012
8:47 pm
And once it’s close, you and your ilk will call for re-count, after re-count, after re-count….
Until you win.
Count on it folks, entitilement city.
Brosephus™
October 3rd, 2012
8:47 pm
Y’all have fun with this… Gotta call it an early night tonight.
Catch y’all later
JamVet
October 3rd, 2012
8:48 pm
Cano gets another long dong.
17th postseason in 18 years for NYY.
Sorry Jay, but Boston fans gotta feel like Romney fans tonight…
bman
October 3rd, 2012
8:51 pm
Keep up .. .. I didn’t say any of that. You did. I simply posted a link. That’s all.
Pour yourself another drink, old timer.
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:51 pm
Jim said be quiet or I will humiliate you in front of the world.
bman
October 3rd, 2012
8:52 pm
Moonbat .. .. If Romney doesn’t do well tonight, do you believe it will still be close ?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:53 pm
bman, yep you did. We learned today all about the power of “my interpretation of your words” from your conned friends.
Watch your eyeholes.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
8:55 pm
JamVet – For your reading pleasure
Elmer Fudd's son
October 3rd, 2012
8:55 pm
“You guys remind me of the nerd who comes to the dance with a skank and tries to convince everyone that she is the home coming queen. Please, enough!”
Pleasant or unpleasant meomories Donovan?
JamVet
October 3rd, 2012
8:55 pm
It’s not close.
Romney’s lost Florida, Ohio and probably Virginia.
He’s deader than Ronald Reagan…
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:56 pm
moonbat,
Why do you worry so much about programs Americans paid for?
You cons should be focused on jobs not that crap.
Granny Godzilla
October 3rd, 2012
8:56 pm
Tom
Wrong debate
Stupid government (bush policies on steroids per Romney campaign)
Or better government
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
8:57 pm
C-Span is much better than hearing that corporate media bs.
Jim is telling jokes.
JamVet
October 3rd, 2012
8:58 pm
Keep, I’ve seen it before.
My response never changes.
When I have on my NYY hat and BoSox fans yell “Yankees suck!!”, I just smile and say, “No, you just wish they did.”
That pretty much ends the discussion..
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
8:59 pm
Lets all hope Romney doesn’t have a shirt on with such a bad crease that is so prominent that it also causes a visible crease in the jacket
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:01 pm
“And once it’s close, you and your ilk will call for re-count, after re-count, after re-count….”
And if Romney does lose, regardless of the count, you will have excuse after excuse after excuse
“Count on it, folks”
td
October 3rd, 2012
9:01 pm
Jay
October 3rd, 2012
8:07 pm
“You will tell who we think wins, won’t you”
I already know, but I don’t want to spoil the suspense.
I am sure you have already wrote the Obama wins debate column. Just have to fill in a few blanks and hit the submit key.
bman
October 3rd, 2012
9:01 pm
Keep up .. .. Who are my “conned friends”?
Admitting that Obama is a failure doesn’t neccisarily make me a republican. Don’t blame me, my choice was Hillary.
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:02 pm
Oh lawd……….
he didn’t say Ronald Reagan……….. Oh lawd
Where are you Thulsa?
It is times for the Reagan diatribe………
Oh lawd
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:03 pm
Decisions decisions…
Debate
Eagles vs Giants replay (Eagles win)
South Park.
Eagles and South Park looking GOOD!
Time for another drink.
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:03 pm
td
Romney could say nothing and you would say he won the debate
What is your point?
moonbat betty
October 3rd, 2012
9:03 pm
Everyone pull out their game cards.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
9:04 pm
JamVet….. oh yeah…. bite me.