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
bman
October 3rd, 2012
9:04 pm
Is anyone able to see he video on the blog? Not working here
td
October 3rd, 2012
9:04 pm
Romney wore the red tie so he won round one.
Eleanor Eisenberg
October 3rd, 2012
9:05 pm
“I wish they’d let E. J. Dionne question Romney, and let George Will question Obama…with instant fact-checking on the spot.”
That would be a great debate format, especially the fact-checking part.
I bet that neither candidate would agree to a format like that, since they both spend an entire campaign trying to duck the questions that they know they would be asked.
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:05 pm
TBS, what’s good?
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:05 pm
One term proposition. Enough said
Granny Godzilla
October 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
Is it just granny and her iPad or are things with the live feed not going well?
Jay
October 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
Ohio is red and white if I recall correctly, td.
JamVet
October 3rd, 2012
9:08 pm
No vidideo…
Elmer Fudd's son
October 3rd, 2012
9:08 pm
Womney can help all of them!
JamVet
October 3rd, 2012
9:09 pm
Is Mitt gonna channel Tricky Dick and tell the nation that he is not a crook?
Elmer Fudd's son
October 3rd, 2012
9:09 pm
Layoff people and close businesses
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:09 pm
TBG
What’s shaking?
Bro and TBG: chk you email. I am game
Granny Godzilla
October 3rd, 2012
9:10 pm
The live event has ended
td
October 3rd, 2012
9:10 pm
Jay
October 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
Ohio is red and white if I recall correctly, td.
Romney’s is red with white and black strips OSU and UGA colors.
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:11 pm
Everytime Obama says “Uh”, take a drink.
Drunk in 10 minutes
Relax libs, it’s a joke (he does say “Uh” A LOT).
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:11 pm
TBG
He does
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
9:11 pm
8 trillion spending increase for mitt romney.
Billybob
October 3rd, 2012
9:11 pm
what obama says he wants to do for business is NOTHING of what he has done the last 4 years…..lie # 1
Elmer Fudd's son
October 3rd, 2012
9:12 pm
“High income people are doing fine”
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:13 pm
TBS, just checked and replied.
No Fred?
Common Sense isn't very Common
October 3rd, 2012
9:14 pm
Great, Romney is saying that workers need to pay for their own education?
That’s going to work so well when they either aren’t working and Pell Grants get cut?
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:14 pm
Mitt is kicking his teeth in right now
td
October 3rd, 2012
9:14 pm
Wow, Romney is actually laying out the poor Obama record at the same time giving details as to how he will improve the economy. Taking notes Jay?
Elmer Fudd's son
October 3rd, 2012
9:15 pm
Mitt likes coal, I wonder if he uses it?
Jay
October 3rd, 2012
9:15 pm
I think the video is working now… it’s actually ahead of the TV broadcast.
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
TBG
I forgot to follow up with Jay to see if he sent Fred my email address or if he did send it, did Fred receive it.
My bad on that one.
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
obama is in WAYYYYY over his head. Barack…this isn’t Mccain you are dealing with now.
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
Obama seems nervous
Common Sense isn't very Common
October 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
Mit’s getting into specifics of his NON tax cuts?
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
Obama is stumbling all over his own tongue.
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
2000 tax increase for the middle class if you vote for mitt.
Granny Godzilla
October 3rd, 2012
9:17 pm
Mitt is getting riled already
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
9:18 pm
Boom
Romney hammering away
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:18 pm
getalife….and what will the tax increase be for middle class under statusquo? crickets…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
9:18 pm
Romney, the miracle guy. My plans will do this, but i wont tell you how
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:18 pm
obama just cannot handle the facts.
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
9:19 pm
Tax cuts do not increases revenue mitt.
Nevermind mitt says.
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:19 pm
Jm
Yeah, he is nervous like last time
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:19 pm
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
TBG
I forgot to follow up with Jay to see if he sent Fred my email address or if he did send it, did Fred receive it.
______________________________________
Jay, you lazy lib living off the gub’met teat, did you send Fred the address?
Billybob
October 3rd, 2012
9:19 pm
obama lowered tax rates…..uh, obamacare….lie
G Mare
October 3rd, 2012
9:20 pm
I apologize. I rarely call out a blogger re grammatical errors, but td @ 9:01: “have already wrote”? From this, I surmise you are not a supporter of our very well educated president. Yes, I could go on, but will refrain, realizing that not all of us have had the benefit of a good education. SIGH.
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:20 pm
His tax plan has NOT lowered tac rate for 98%. He extended the bush tax cuts and then gave us a tax holiday that is just bankrupting social security….something we will pay for later on. Holy crap.
oldguy
October 3rd, 2012
9:20 pm
Well, i see the cheering section is all ready with the rah-rah go O. Keep that coolaide handy. Jay has already said it all for the Choir “Obama wins”. so save yourself some effort and watch a movie.
I, for one, am watching something that has substance “SpongeBob”.. Although Barnacle Boy does remind me of a current sitting president.
Why watch that old boring debate I already got my free healthcare, foodstamps and “Bamaphone”, What else is there?
Common Sense isn't very Common
October 3rd, 2012
9:20 pm
Obama just challenged Romney’s MATH skills LOL.
Cons don’t do MATH
Jm
October 3rd, 2012
9:21 pm
Obama a mess
Bad joke
lynnie gal
October 3rd, 2012
9:21 pm
Romney’s eyebrows are dyed too dark.
Billybob
October 3rd, 2012
9:21 pm
blowing up our deficit….like i obama have done for 4 years
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
9:21 pm
scott,
Listen to our President.
He tried another tax cut for the middle class but the gop voted no and blocked it. Fact.
Granny Godzilla
October 3rd, 2012
9:21 pm
He’s agitated.
He does not like being challenged.
.
.
.
Romneys plan is nevermind
Trump…small business
barking frog
October 3rd, 2012
9:22 pm
G Mare
kin u reed an unnerstan
dis ?
Granny Godzilla
October 3rd, 2012
9:22 pm
Romney can’t stand still
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:22 pm
TBS, look at the comments already.
Do you see any objectivity so far?
All I see is “My guy is killing your guy “.
tireofit
October 3rd, 2012
9:22 pm
Willard has a bigger flag on his jacket, he must be a true American.
tireofit
October 3rd, 2012
9:23 pm
Willard looks like he is 7 feet tall in that shot from the right.
Granny Godzilla
October 3rd, 2012
9:23 pm
What’s the spot on romneys flag?
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:24 pm
Hey G Mare. Hope the tests went well.
Common Sense isn't very Common
October 3rd, 2012
9:24 pm
Obama just did a call out for COMMON SENSE, Thanks Mr. President LOL
cons don’t do COMMON SENSE
td
October 3rd, 2012
9:24 pm
Obama is attempting to tie himself to Clinton.
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:24 pm
“You might want to move onto another topic” Translation. I just go smoked in this part. Please move onto something i was more successful with…Jobs.. Oh nope… How about economic growth? Oh nope. I can talk about travel, campaigning, and hanging out with celebrities. Maybe I can talk about how bad I am at golf.
Tealiban Party
October 3rd, 2012
9:25 pm
Funny how Mitt says what his plan isn’t. What in the heck is it? What reductions? What exemptions do you chop?
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:25 pm
TBG
And you expected any different?
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:26 pm
Bill Clinton….Bill clinton. If I mention his name enough, maybe all the stupid libs will think he is running again..
lynnie gal
October 3rd, 2012
9:26 pm
Obama’s not letting up on the math quiz–how do you lower taxes, spend more on military and cut the deficit? Romney’s answer–let me repeat. My tax cut won’t add to the deficit. Really?
bman
October 3rd, 2012
9:26 pm
Mister Bookman .. .. How do you grade the candidates so far?
Orange12
October 3rd, 2012
9:26 pm
Roud 1 – Romney
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:27 pm
this moderator is terrible. Start drilling down on both of them. all these guys do is speak in generalities
Jay
October 3rd, 2012
9:27 pm
b-man, updating above on the blog entry.
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:27 pm
Romney clearly won that round.
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:27 pm
oldguy
are you swimming in such a deep pool of Romney koolaide that you are wearing floaties and have a mask and snorkel on?
tireofit
October 3rd, 2012
9:27 pm
Mitt’s is starting to melt down he is becoming condensing with Jim if he doesn’t get his way.
td
October 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
Is the program worth borrowing money from China?
Jay
October 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
I’d agree with Orange, Round 1 to Romney.
lynnie gal
October 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
Romney just promised to cut Big Bird even though he likes him.
Tealiban Party
October 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
What spending cuts?
PBS, ACA, what other specific cuts Romney…..
td
October 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
Downsize government.
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
wow. Jay actually gives props to Romney. holy crap
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
He agrees with our President a lot cons.
I thought our President was a failure cons.
What’s up with that?
USMC
October 3rd, 2012
9:28 pm
Obama looks extremely RATTLED and CONFUSED without his teleprompter!
OBAMA is trying to grab onto Bill Clinton’s Coat tails out of pure desperation.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 3rd, 2012
9:29 pm
Oy vey, a Romney lie… as much deficit as all other Presidents combined.
bman
October 3rd, 2012
9:29 pm
Thanks Mister B …didn’t see that up there
lynnie gal
October 3rd, 2012
9:29 pm
Round One to Romney? I don’t think so…
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:29 pm
You did NOT go after medicare fraud. That is a complete LIE
USMC
October 3rd, 2012
9:30 pm
Obama sounds no more intelligent or articulate than the average Leftwing Bookman Blogger.
)
(no offense, Jay.
Thulsa Doom
October 3rd, 2012
9:30 pm
Mitt is savaging Obama. He is kicking his ass all over the stage. Obama looks helpless without his teleprompter. All he can do is blame W and try to tie Romney to W. Sad that that is all he has.
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:30 pm
bowles simpson commission that you completely ignored
That Black Guy
October 3rd, 2012
9:31 pm
They BOTH suck
October 3rd, 2012
9:25 pm
TBG
And you expected any different?
___________________________
Yeah
After all the drinking games proposed, I expected a lot more…
iugtuyiohpy0iyohik pssssssssst!
Hunnie do do
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:31 pm
uh uh um um Bill clinton bill clinton bushes fault. um uh
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:32 pm
killing obama. Just mention the “1-term proposition”
bman
October 3rd, 2012
9:32 pm
Scott .. .. Mister Bookman is honest. If Romney performs better, he will say so. It’s Romney’s policies he disagrees with..
Tealiban Party
October 3rd, 2012
9:32 pm
Thulsa Doom
October 3rd, 2012
9:30 pm
Mitt is savaging Obama. He is kicking his ass all over the stage. Obama looks helpless without his teleprompter. All he can do is blame W and try to tie Romney to W. Sad that that is all he has.
We’ll just ignore the fact all of Romney’s economic and foreign policy advisors are from the Bush administration.
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
9:32 pm
The fact checkers will be busy with romey’s lies.
Not sure how you give him round 1 for that.
Thulsa Doom
October 3rd, 2012
9:33 pm
Oh Lord. Obama is really reaching now. He is using that emotionalism crap that Romney wants to cut medicaid for crippled kids. Oh and the Obama putdown of Trump earlier was just plain weak- not to mention it lowered the dignity of the office. Mitt is killing him!
oldguy
October 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
My god Jay (sorry for the religious reference) Have you gone bonkers?
You gave something to Romney. Have another glass of the coolaide and get a hold. If you keep this up I will begin to believe you might be going “fair and whatever!” .
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
Melt down on taxes.
scott
October 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
getalife….the fact checkers have been asleep for the last 4 years. Nobody gives crap about them.
USMC
October 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
“Not sure how you give him round 1 for that.”–Getalife
That’s okay, everyone else understands.
td
October 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
I will be damned. Romney may actual be a conservative.
lynnie gal
October 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
Romney–During a recession, gov’t shouldn’t raise taxes. Every economist: During a recession gov’t shouldn’t cut spending.
tireofit
October 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
Are we all watching the same debate?
getalife
October 3rd, 2012
9:35 pm
Cut corporate welfare.
mitt says no.