An unprepared, unfocused Obama pays the price

obama-romney-debate-AP648260177986_620x350

Remember the classic nightmare in which you show up unprepared for a test in a class that you completely forgot you had?

That’s what Barack Obama looked like last night. From the opening question, he came off as unprepared, unsteady and almost uninterested in the task at hand. He found himself on defense throughout the debate, and when opportunities arose, he failed to recognize them.

As I noted last night during the live blog, Obama seemed overconfident coming in, as if he had underestimated both his opponent and the occasion. By the end of the evening, overconfidence should no longer have been a problem. As CNN noted, 67 percent of those polled who had watched the debate declared Mitt Romney the victor.

“No presidential candidate has topped 60 percent in that question since it was first asked in 1984,” CNN polling director Keating Holland pointed out.

And a good part of that was caused by Mitt Romney. He came in hungry, needing a win, and it showed in his focus and preparation. He got the better of almost every exchange, in part because at some point in his debate prep he decided to finally make the transition from “severely conservative” GOP primary candidate to general-election candidate.

The new Romney endorsed regulation of business. He dismissed tax cuts as an economic policy. He embraced his own Massachusetts health-care plan. He talked of compromise and working together. A surprised Obama wasn’t ready to handle this latest Romney incarnation and repeatedly failed to tie the moderate, genial GOP candidate on that stage in Denver to the GOP candidate on the campaign trail.

Will the outcome of this debate, the first of three between Obama and Romney, create a ripple in the polls? It almost certainly will. I doubt it will cost Obama his lead, but it should shrink it and introduce doubt in many minds that had not previously doubted. Romney had the night that he needed to keep his funders happy and his base engaged.

The next debate, covering foreign and domestic policy in a townhall forum, will be Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in New York. I suspect that they’ll be scrambling at the White House this morning to clear more time from the president’s calendar for prep work between now and then. He can’t afford a repeat of what happened last night in Denver.

– Jay Bookman

1,788 comments Add your comment

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:09 am

Obama was in a prevent trying to run out the clock.

I really was expecting to see Obama “take a kneel” at one point or for Romney to spike the ball to stop the clock.

indigo

October 4th, 2012
8:10 am

Mitt reminds me of the smart, energetic used car salesman who can put the best possible spin on a very problematic vehicle.

Thomas Heyward Jr

October 4th, 2012
8:10 am

Maybe at the next debate,,,,,,Obama could use his “Black talk”.
Hillery or AlGore could coach him.
.
Might work.

jconservative

October 4th, 2012
8:11 am

Romney in last night’s debate:

“My — my number-one principal is, there will be no tax cut that adds to the deficit. I want to underline that: no tax cut that adds to the deficit.”

That is from the transcript. Romney says no tax cuts or no tax cuts that are not paid for. This is a huge change from the last 31 years when Reagan, Bush and Obama all made major tax cuts with none paid for resulting in trillions in borrowing.

I imagine the Tea Party and the House Republicans are not going to be happy.

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:11 am

And the country was able to hear Obama get torn about his record without

Really? That was your takeaway? Mine was that Romney was agreeing to keep almost everything that Obama did or wanted to do in general, while tearing down the specifics without ever providing specifics of his own. That’s the guy you married.

Butch Cassidy (I)

October 4th, 2012
8:11 am

lynnie gal – “Find your mojo and come out swinging next time.”

I suspect he will in the next debate. Any good poker player can stand to lose a few hands while studying his opponents “tells”. Now that Obama has seen Romney in action, he can easily counter to match. Plus, the next debate will be a town hall format with questions from the audience. It’s much harder to prepare for those, so at this point, it’s still anyones game.

TaxPayer

October 4th, 2012
8:11 am

Is there a list out yet covering all the facts that Romney presented last night.

when the dust settles...

October 4th, 2012
8:11 am

“facts” will prevail!

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:11 am

He does. The next phase of the election is about turnout. If your base doesn’t turnout in large enough numbers, you lose.

No he doesn’t. Their hatred for Obama will turn them out. Their talk radio God’s will focus on the Obama hate rather than Romney turning “RINO” and they won’t know the difference. If talk radio or FOX don’t say it, they’ll never nknow it. So Talk Radio and FOX will dial up the hate and get them all lathered up to run out and vote against the damn muslim, kenyan, commie, pinko, baby murdering, homosexual sexual loving pervert.

And they will.

killerj

October 4th, 2012
8:12 am

Jay………….Obuma,s whole term has been like this not to mention the mass layoffs coming to the airplane industry ,what,s next made in china?

Old Boy

October 4th, 2012
8:12 am

Jay, I was interested to see if you were going to try to find a way to spin this so that it seemed favorable to the President. I respect the fact that you called it like it was.

TaxPayer

October 4th, 2012
8:13 am

Tax cuts have to be paid for!

Tmo

October 4th, 2012
8:13 am

How would Mitt’s cap on tax deductions affect Mitt’s charitable contributions?

Jay,,,just another bad examaple of the liberal mindset. Does anyone think that people only give to charity for a tax break? Oh yeah Libs do.

It is insane to think that people give to charity for the tax break. Thats like saying a good investment strategy is to give away $100.00 to get back $10.00.

People give to charities to help and to give back to communities they live in and causes they believe in. But the liberal mind cannot comprehend that evil rich people want to give back and help, They think that only the Government can help people by using tax payers money taken by force and intimidation.

AUfan

October 4th, 2012
8:14 am

It was pretty funny that Romney bragged that he passed legislation with a Democratic legislature, Obama should have pointed out: ‘Of course you passed it, you were working with Democrats whose objective is the public good. I was working with Republicans whose stated objective from day one was to obstruct any progress, even legislation they had proposed’.

godless heathen

October 4th, 2012
8:14 am

(As opposed to the weighty demands of a guy who has been a full-time campaigner for the past 5-plus years.)

C’mon, stands, give the guy a break. The President has taken some time off from campaigning to play golf and be on the View.

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

October 4th, 2012
8:14 am

Good news for libs this AM. In about 30 years, when everyone 55 and over is dead, The I phone and MTV generations can pass all the sex,drugs and rock n roll laws you want. THE American generation of Values will be gone. Gay marriage, drive in Abortion clinic’s will all be on demand……Just hang on. Your time is coming.

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:14 am

Romney’s math does suck, by the way.

Here’s the problem with Romney’s math: it’s based on economic growth being so HUGE for a sustained period (in fact bigger and longer than it’s ever done in the history of civilization) that it will compensate for his deficit spending and taxing policies. Math will intrude. That’s what even Romney’s “studies” are showing about his plan.

MiltonMan

October 4th, 2012
8:15 am

Off topic: What in the hell is a “Mitt” anyway? I mean it’s better than Willard, but come on. What were his parents thinking? I hope he just one time went up to his dad and kicked him square in the ass and said, ‘Thanks for the money, but this is for the stupid moniker you gave me.”

We all cannot have such wonderful names like Barack Hussein Obama II

Paul

October 4th, 2012
8:15 am

Marty Huggins’

“Your analogy would only hold true if the Pope had indeed been a southern baptist at some point.

Again each and every politician stretches the truth of reality to their base.

Always a better idea to judge politicians off of their record and no their words.

Who Romney was during the debate last night is exactly who he was when he was Govenor.”

Then that’s who Team Obama needs to prep against.

But Pres Obama can score points by saying “look, six months ago this was your position. Six weeks ago it was this. Six days ago it was something else. Tonight we’re treated to a brand new version. People are voting for a candidate with a core set of convictions. They aren’t voting for a chameleon.”

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:16 am

Their hatred for Obama will turn them out.

Nope. If you watch the way people have been identifying themselves as R or D, the R’s are losing ground over the past year (something like 4 percentage points). The D’s and I’s are slightly gaining ground (1 to 2 points). That doesn’t help you turn out your base when your base is shrinking away from you.

Butch Cassidy (I)

October 4th, 2012
8:16 am

I did like Romneys Comment regarding Medicare. ” Those of you who are 65 and over, you’re fine, you can turn off the tv now.” Unfortunately, folks like me who are under 65, still need to find out what’s in store for us.

MiltonMan

October 4th, 2012
8:17 am

Romney’s math does suck, by the way.

Here’s the problem with Romney’s math: it’s based on economic growth being so HUGE for a sustained period (in fact bigger and longer than it’s ever done in the history of civilization) that it will compensate for his deficit spending and taxing policies. Math will intrude. That’s what even Romney’s “studies” are showing about his plan.

Yet Obozo thinks that there are 57 states???? Does not say much about Obozo’s math skills either.

Keep Up the Good Fight! (and only seeing conned poutrage)

October 4th, 2012
8:17 am

I’d have to agree that Obama did not score well. I don’t think he’ll make that mistake again and he’ll be ready to deal with Mitt and his lies. Over the next few days, I imagine we’ll see Mitt work to keep the conned happy.

Tom Middleton

October 4th, 2012
8:17 am

And the irony, Jay, is that the general-election Mitt couldn’t have run as the primary Mitt and gotten the nomination.

But he has nothing to lose now with his etch-a-sketch transformation; and it’s like Grover Norquist said: All the Republicans need in the White House is someone “with enough working digits to hold a pen.”

In other words, once Mitt is elected, we know who he’ll belong to, and it won’t be the American people as a whole, no matter what he promises the rest of the campaign.

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:18 am

Yet Obozo thinks that there are 57 states???? Does not say much about Obozo’s math skills either

that’s the best you got, MiltonMan? Your middle school called. They want to know why you’re not there yet.

stands for decibels

October 4th, 2012
8:18 am

Going on The View, Letterman…..yep. Real busy.

[...]

The President has taken some time off from campaigning to play golf and be on the View.

for you memory-challenged folks…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFEhmF-cSi8

A TAT

October 4th, 2012
8:18 am

I suspect that they’ll be scrambling at the White House this morning to clear more time from the president’s calendar for prep work between now and then.

As if that’ll make a difference.

Obama’s never struck me as a receptive student. The cool guy on campus rarely, if ever, is…doesn’t need to be. His groupies fill his needs.

jconservative

October 4th, 2012
8:18 am

More from the transcripts of last night’s debate.

Who said this:

“My view is that we ought to provide tax relief to people in the middle class. But I’m not going to reduce the share of taxes paid by high-income people. High-income people are doing just fine in this economy.”

“But I do want to reduce the burden being paid by middle-income Americans. And I — and to do that, that also means I cannot reduce the burden paid by high-income Americans.”

Apparently the Bush Tax Cuts are history except on those making a middle class income – Obama says that is $250,000 and Romney says $1,000,000.

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:20 am

MiltonMan

October 4th, 2012
8:15 am

Off topic: What in the hell is a “Mitt” anyway? I mean it’s better than Willard, but come on. What were his parents thinking? I hope he just one time went up to his dad and kicked him square in the ass and said, ‘Thanks for the money, but this is for the stupid moniker you gave me.”

We all cannot have such wonderful names like Barack Hussein Obama II
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This is the Republican hate radio mindset. Milton man doesn’t know so he insults. Since HE never asks a question seeking knowledge he assumes everyone else is an asshat too.

Thanks for the non answer Miltonman, it’s typical for you.

But alas I found out. Mitt was named after the nickname of one of his relatives who was named, coincidentally Miltonman, Milton. So mitt is their shortened version of Milton.

Does that mean we should start calling YOu MittMan lol?

http://www.babynames.com/name/Mitt

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:20 am

Obama’s never struck me as a receptive student.

Nope. He’s a professor who likes to stand there and lecture off the top of his head. That doesn’t work well when you have 2 minutes to answer a question or respond to a comment. I think the Town Hall format is better suited to him, because it’ll give him a chance to play to the crowd.

BuckeyeInGa

October 4th, 2012
8:20 am

@Adam 8:03 What makes me sick is that Romney basically just lied to everyone and went back on any plan he was able to determine was unpopular, while calling OBAMA a liar for accurately pointing out Romney’s plans

There are still two debates plus a month of ads. I suspect the ads will target things Romney stated that the President didn’t follow up on.

Paul

October 4th, 2012
8:20 am

jconservative

““My — my number-one principal is, there will be no tax cut that adds to the deficit. I want to underline that: no tax cut that adds to the deficit.”

That is from the transcript. Romney says no tax cuts or no tax cuts that are not paid for.”

Anybody can correct me if I’m wrong (and I’m sure they will) but my remembrance from last night is Candidate Romney was not talking about any tax cuts that would lower the amount people pay, period. Only way around it is to say ‘we’ll cut the marginal rates, close deductions, that’ll help bring more people into jobs and they’ll pay taxes so the revenue will increase.”

But the whole shipload of rhetoric about giving relief to the Job Creators just got sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

In other words, Romney just thumbed his nose at the Tea Party/Republican establishment line. And they seem happy about it.

Woodstock Mike

October 4th, 2012
8:20 am

So there are Democrats that actually thought Obama won the debate? Can you say “delusional”!!!

Great job Mitt!!

MiltonMan

October 4th, 2012
8:21 am

“In other words, once Mitt is elected, we know who he’ll belong to, and it won’t be the American people as a whole, no matter what he promises the rest of the campaign.”

And Obama is??? Obama is nothing more than a minion of the unions.

GT

October 4th, 2012
8:21 am

This is a timing thing. If you use all your cards on this one, Romney wears it out and the topic becomes his choosing in later debates. We will hear about the 47% at the end of the three debates to remind us all what we are up against. Right now we are doing it for O by asking why it was not brought up.

Jim Leher might as well not been on stage. His questions were ignored he couldn’t control the candidates. What has happen to the press? They mail it in; John King was just as helpless with Newt in the South Carolina debates. I am sure Newt coached Romney somewhere in this to ignore the question hit your talking point, lie like hell because no one will challenge you, flip flop because you base is falling asleep with all these numbers and get the headlines the next day. Here again you knew it was coming but coming out the early winner in these things does not win elections, ask Newt. O left a lot of bullets in his gun.

tman

October 4th, 2012
8:21 am

Cobbmom @ 7:41 “Mitt Romney definitely won it, but most of his prize winning statements were lies according to politifact.”
Actually, as of this morning Politifact listed NONE of Romney’s statements as lies.

howard cosell

October 4th, 2012
8:21 am

“Down goes Frasier, down goes Frasier”. KO Romney

Citizen of the World

October 4th, 2012
8:21 am

It seemed to me, also, that Romney ran roughshod over Jim Lehrer and got more air time than Obama. He wanted to have the last word when Obama got the first word, and he also wanted to have the last word when he got the first word. Has anyone timed it to see who had the floor the most?

Mitt Romney's Hostile Takeover of the Debate

October 4th, 2012
8:22 am

On Wednesday night, Mitt Romney attempted a hostile takeover of the presidential campaign, manhandling the debate moderator, Jim Lehrer, and dominating President Obama. I wasn’t in the debate hall, so my impressions came from watching on television, as they did for most voters. Romney struck me as briskly efficient, affable, and (shock!) convincingly bipartisan in how he presented himself. Obama, at least until the final 30 minutes, was discursive, meandering, and seemed poorly prepared. It’s true that Romney didn’t offer the details that pundits are clamoring for.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-03/mitt-romneys-hostile-takeover-of-the-debate

Woodstock Mike

October 4th, 2012
8:22 am

When Chris Matthews says Obama is in real trouble that tells the whole story about last night!

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

October 4th, 2012
8:22 am

We are told by the left to just wait and watch the President on the foreign affairs debate……..Yea, can’t wait…..No material there for Romney…LOL…… That will be worse for the President……. Maybe Romney will let him put some Greek Columns on the stage next time to comfort the president….

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:22 am

Has anyone timed it to see who had the floor the most?

CNN did. Obama led by 3 minutes at the end.

MiltonMan

October 4th, 2012
8:22 am

“So there are Democrats that actually thought Obama won the debate? Can you say “delusional”!!!”

They are too busy right now picking up their free welfare check, free phone, free mortgage payment, etc., etc. They will be online soon enough once they make their free internet connection from the library.

btull27

October 4th, 2012
8:23 am

One page of comments is enough for me. You people should all be institutionalized. Obama was taken to the woodshed and you lash out at Mitt like that somehow makes the results any different. Accept the night for what it was. Obama, surprise, was not prepared. 4 years ago he didn’t have a record and could stand before the country and voice about Hope and Change. 4 years later when promises are piled in the corner like dirty laundry, it’s hard to stand there with a fresh set of clothes. Accept it and move on with some dignity.

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:23 am

Byteme: I didn’t say his base wasn’t shrinking. Shrinking, shrunk or almost gone, whatever is left of them WILL turn out because of their hate of Obama. Look at the fanatics here who post. Have any of them given any indication that they won’t turn out now?

Nope.

Butch Cassidy (I)

October 4th, 2012
8:23 am

Citizen – ” Has anyone timed it to see who had the floor the most?”

CNN did last night, and Obama had 4 more minutes of talking time.

Steve-USA "None of the Above"

October 4th, 2012
8:23 am

I will repeat what I said last night. Romney has 20 some debates recently to sharpen his debating skills, POTUS hasn’t debated in 4 years. In the absence of debating Obama should have held a few press conferences with real journalists to take some tough questions and think on his feet. The cocoon that Axelrod has put up around Obama is what lead to his defeat last night.

I don’t think Obama was unprepared as much as unpracticed. I expect him to improve exponentially in his next two debates.

JMHO

TaxPayer

October 4th, 2012
8:24 am

Will Mitt compromise with the Congressional Republicans on his desire to pay for tax cuts. That could be a sticking point. Then again, they could just all agree to let those 47% pay for all tax cuts.

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

October 4th, 2012
8:24 am

Citizen….nice try……Fact check this morning tells us that the President got 5 more minutes……..Too many of his grandmother stories I guess.

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:24 am

Shrinking, shrunk or almost gone, whatever is left of them WILL turn out because of their hate of Obama.

But the LARGER base for Obama will also turn out. That’s where the numbers show you that a shrinking Republican base is not the powerhouse behind a winning strategy. That’s why Romney lied his way into the center last night.

BuckeyeInGa

October 4th, 2012
8:25 am

Obama’s never struck me as a receptive student.

The President graduated from Harvard law school. You’re going overboard.

and the winnah is......

October 4th, 2012
8:25 am

The Muslim (according to madonna) versus the Mormon, debate 1.

The Mormon in a cakewalk.

Woodstock Mike

October 4th, 2012
8:25 am

With the Middle East falling apart, Iran developing nuclear weapons, Europe in shambles, and American diplomats getting murdered, foreign affairs isn’t something Obama wants to debate about…

MiltonMan

October 4th, 2012
8:25 am

Here again you knew it was coming but coming out the early winner in these things does not win elections, ask Newt. O left a lot of bullets in his gun.

Obozo had a gun but sent it to Mexico via Fast & Furious.

JKL2

October 4th, 2012
8:25 am

Adam- It’s a schoolyard bully tactic.

At least your correct in saying school was in session last night. obama was sitting at the little kids table in the corner as usual.

I’ve heard their going to put in a mercy rule for obama at the next debate.

Steve-USA "None of the Above"

October 4th, 2012
8:25 am

“When Chris Matthews says Obama is in real trouble that tells the whole story about last night!”

I forget who said it but the joke of the night was “I don’t want to know what is running down Chris Matthew’s leg tonight”. :)

straitroad

October 4th, 2012
8:25 am

I was actually surprised at how unprepared obama was. It was good to see the two candidates standing side by side instead of hearing campaign talking points in front of agreeable audiences. There’s no substitute for live practice and obama has spent too much time ducking real questions and criticism. I suspect he will be prepared at the next debate. Of course, so will Romney.

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:25 am

Citizen of the World

October 4th, 2012
8:21 am

It seemed to me, also, that Romney ran roughshod over Jim Lehrer and got more air time than Obama. He wanted to have the last word when Obama got the first word, and he also wanted to have the last word when he got the first word. Has anyone timed it to see who had the floor the most?
+++++++++++++++++++++++

I found it to be the opposite. Also if someone DID time it, I think they would report that the President got more time.

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

October 4th, 2012
8:26 am

Steve….Obama was not unprepared….It’s just hard to tell the cop why you ran the light and caused the wreck……And it’s really not your fault.

Adam

October 4th, 2012
8:27 am

Brosephus: So, should we expect to see one of those sugary bounces that melts away when the rays of truth begin to shine light upon them?

No, because truth doesn’t sell. And what doesn’t sell doesn’t get reported. Instead it’ll be about how awesome Romney was and how moderate he is.

FACT CHECK: Presidential debate missteps

October 4th, 2012
8:27 am

Tom Middleton

October 4th, 2012
8:27 am

Jay

Here’s Republican David Gergen’s take on what happened to President Obama last night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcwgDULlQB0

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:27 am

But the LARGER base for Obama will also turn out. That’s where the numbers show you that a shrinking Republican base is not the powerhouse behind a winning strategy. That’s why Romney lied his way into the center last night.

ARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT’S WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING AND WHAT YOU KEEP ARGUING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bloomberg Troll

October 4th, 2012
8:29 am

Fred 7:12

“I liked the way they joked around and were polite to each other though.”

I agree. However, it was mostly staged. Apparently Obama hates Romney, so it was all show. I don’t know how Romney feels about Obama, but last night was a good policy debate, mixed with stage performance.

GT

October 4th, 2012
8:29 am

MiltonMan may be showing the cockiness that the left is hoping for. Maybe the 47% comment will the verified over and over again now that Romney has found a voice. There is a reason people don’t like Romney and it wasn’t forgotten last night, nothing he did or said made people think he wasn’t MitonMan underneath.

Truth-O-Meter

October 4th, 2012
8:29 am

At 8:59 PM/Oct. 3 I planned to vote for Obama. At 10:31 PM/Oct. 3, I still will vote for Obama. I already knew what a master of distortions Romney is. It was easy to tell that he truly believes every side of the issue he has taken. What disappointments me is that the president let him get away with the distortions. I didn’t watch the full debate but even I saw openings that a Mack truck could have driven through.

Gov. Romney will probably get a big bump in the polls after last night’s performance. It won’t matter; however, because they just spent the last week telling us that these polls are rigged and can’t be trusted!!! Tee Hee Hee!

thebob.bob

October 4th, 2012
8:29 am

Romney acted like a pushy door-door Mormon Missionary. He wouldn’t stop talking, even when it was clear that his ‘time’ was up. He was selling his beliefs, promising Heaven for you and your family if only you would just believe! Never mind that he’s selling a fantasy. He can’t tell you how, the facts don’t support him but he sounds energized, an eager beaver boy scout. He’s convinced that that the current world turmoil will certainly change if you just believe.

Sorry Mittens. Go bother the next-door neighbor. I ain’t buying it.

DannyX

October 4th, 2012
8:29 am

BREAKING…

Unskewed polls taken after debate show Obama was clear winner, 72% thought Obama won vs 12% Romney.

BREAKING…

TaxPayer

October 4th, 2012
8:29 am

Mitt definitely knows the difference between a large public audience of potential voters and a private gathering of his wealthiest backers. If only video recorders were as smart.

gm

October 4th, 2012
8:30 am

Obama did the same thing in 08 debate against Clinton and Edwards, but came back strong the next time.
How could any one black or white under 65 support this guy medicare plan? let me get this straight, I will receive a vocher under Mitt after I have paid in to the plan for 30 years, talking about voting against your own interest.

I hope the Seniors who are rep vote for Obama and save the idiots under 65 rep, who will destroy there own interest.

Donovan

October 4th, 2012
8:30 am

That 7:11 post by Donovan was not me. The real Donovan is now posting.

With that said…Fred, how does it feel to wake up this morning with a hangover? Kind of like that same feeling that all you liberals had when you found out that GW won his second straight election.

It’s only going to get worse. Next up…foreign policy. With blood on your hands for the assassination of those hung out to dry in Benghazi, it’s your worse nightmare. What goes around, comes around.

Stew Day

October 4th, 2012
8:30 am

The fact is, the facts never lie–the policies of this president has casued soaring unemployment, 47 million plus people on some sort of government subsidy, 46 plus months of 8% or higher unemployment, wasted government money on windmills and solar companies which have failed. a middle east which is crumbling due to inconsistent, and weak world leadership. The list goes on and on. Finally we have a clear leader who won that debate and it wasn’t Obama.

Butch Cassidy (I)

October 4th, 2012
8:31 am

Woodstock and Miltonman, most of us on here have conceded that Romney performed well last night (including our host). In addition, most of us are analyzing both candidates and pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. Your guy won, congrats. What’s with all the smarmy comments?

cc

October 4th, 2012
8:31 am

“He can’t afford a repeat of what happened last night in Denver.”

Obama can’t stop it. His record speaks for itself, and if it doesn’t speak loud enough Romney will shout the repetition. At long last, our long national nightmare is nearly over.

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:31 am

Unskewed polls taken after debate show Obama was clear winner, 72% thought Obama won vs 12% Romney.

LOL Who did they poll? Obama’s best friends and family members?

RB from Gwinnett

October 4th, 2012
8:32 am

Since Obama can’t answer the question, perhaps one of his sheep here can tell us what tax incentive business gets for shipping jobs overseas. And then tell us why he hasn’t done anything about it for 4 years.

This was not a case of Obama being unprepared, he was merely exposed for exactly what he is. An empty suit propped up by a TelePrompTer and a media that has refused to make him answer the same questions he had no answers for last night.

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:32 am

the facts never lie–the policies of this president has casued soaring unemployment

Yes, the facts never lie, you just lie. The policies of this president have taken us from losing 800,000 jobs a month to gaining over 5 million new private jobs over the past 30+ months.

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:33 am

Donovan

October 4th, 2012
8:30 am

That 7:11 post by Donovan was not me. The real Donovan is now posting.

With that said…Fred, how does it feel to wake up this morning with a hangover? Kind of like that same feeling that all you liberals had when you found out that GW won his second straight election.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Well he lied exactly like you so it was hard to tell the difference.

Oh and Donovan? Again, I’m not a democrat or a liberal and I VOTED for Bush on that second election.

TaxPayer

October 4th, 2012
8:33 am

Mitt needs an apology tour if he hopes to gain some mass appeal. Something like, “I’m sorry for getting caught on hidden video. I will not let that happen again.” That should win over the undecided. :lol:

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

October 4th, 2012
8:34 am

Tax payer……and Obama didn’t have to talk black last night either….just say’n….. And why would he….That group is well taken care of by his party.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

October 4th, 2012
8:34 am

They both showed their true colors:

Romney: PRESIDENTIAL

Obama: DICTATORIAL

Jay said yesterday, “May the best man win”.

I say, “May the best man for the country win”.

…………… and that’s clearly Romney.

Bloomberg Troll

October 4th, 2012
8:34 am

Margaret Carlson: “Obama’s laid-back approach to the night was most evident during the Medicare segment. He took the hit on taking $716 billion out of Medicare without explaining that it took no money from seniors but from overpayments to providers. Obama was so lame that it was up to Jim Lehrer to conclude at the end of the exchange that the two differed on the subject. If Obama can’t kill on Medicare, he should outsource his campaign to Bill Clinton. If only Clinton had been in on Obama’s debate prep.”

:)

St Simons

October 4th, 2012
8:34 am

“Remember the classic nightmare in which you show up unprepared for
a test in a class that you completely forgot you had?”

thanks for that horrible memory, dude.
yep. never forgot it, even now as an old dude.
and look where i am now.
it motivated me. let’s hope it does the same for cap’n hopey.

Kramer

October 4th, 2012
8:35 am

You know Obama did bad when even Book Man says so. You have to be a liar, a moron, or an idealogue to think that Obama did not lose last night. Roney showed he is way more Presidential and a leader. Obama showed he can not even verbally support his own policies much less explain them. Poor Barry.

stands for decibels

October 4th, 2012
8:35 am

How could any one black or white under 65 support this guy medicare plan? let me get this straight, I will receive a vo[u]cher under Mitt after I have paid in to the plan for 30 years, talking about voting against your own interest.

To say nothing of the generational warfare this sets up for the future, where one tier is clearly screwed and the other continues to draw what will be seen as “Cadillac benefits.”

Anyone who thinks this scenario wouldn’t lead to cuts, or at the very least some incredibly harsh rhetoric, aimed at the “moochers,” is simply delusional.

Steve-USA "None of the Above"

October 4th, 2012
8:35 am

I want to applaud Mr. Bookman. His honesty in his analysis last night and this morning is appreciated.

A tip of the hat to you Jay.

Adam

October 4th, 2012
8:36 am

Question for Romney supporters: Will you now accept the polls or will you say they are still skewed?

If the answer is “Depends on who is ahead” I give you points for honesty.

ByteMe - Thugs vs. Ilk... in 3D!

October 4th, 2012
8:36 am

Since Obama can’t answer the question, perhaps one of his sheep here can tell us what tax incentive business gets for shipping jobs overseas.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/sep/07/service-employees-international-union-committee-po/republicans-closing-corporate-tax-loopholes/

And it’s congress that passes tax law, so ask them why the loopholes are still there.

Sundance Kid

October 4th, 2012
8:36 am

I’m still waiting on the spin from the left. It will soon be 12 hours since the debate. Oh, I know, they got bin laden.

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

October 4th, 2012
8:37 am

Y’all think that Cutter gal is out of bed this morning??/ Can’t wait to here “Baghdad Bob Debbie Wusserman” this morning……..” It was a great win for the President last night and the American people” WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

JohnnyReb

October 4th, 2012
8:38 am

“he (Romney) decided to finally make the transition from “severely conservative” GOP primary candidate to general-election candidate.”

Jay, you still don’t and probably never will understand Conservatives. Romney sang the Conservative song, there was no change. The only reason you think there was a change is, you have believed the BS fed you by the Liberals higher on the ladder. Romney put it best when telling Obama more than once that he did not know the facts.

A TAT

October 4th, 2012
8:38 am

Byte:

Nope. He’s a professor who likes to stand there and lecture off the top of his head.

In case you haven’t figured it out, most of the American people are TIRED of being lectured to by a bunch of dysfunctional politicians who hold our future in their hands.

Dem voters may be different. They may depend on it.

I think the Town Hall format is better suited to him, because it’ll give him a chance to play to the crowd.

Most of us don’t wanna be played.

I’m outta here.

OBIWAN

October 4th, 2012
8:38 am

“An unprepared, unfocused Obama pays the price”
Gee this is just now obvious, how come a lot of us saw this 4 years ago? I love it that Mitt called him on the repeating of a lie does not make it true. GHAHAHAHAHA

DannyX

October 4th, 2012
8:38 am

Last nights debate was a replay of the first Bush v Kerry debate.

Presidents become isolated, they sit on their throne for 4 years in their own little world surrounded by people that kiss their butts all day. When confronted in a debate they get flustered because they are not used to people talking to them in that tone. Their ego’s get crushed.

Bush and Obama had terrible first debates. Bush recovered and more than held his own after the first debate and went on to win. I expect Obama will do the same. We’ll see.

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:38 am

Sundance Kid

October 4th, 2012
8:36 am

I’m still waiting on the spin from the left. It will soon be 12 hours since the debate. Oh, I know, they got bin laden.
++++++++++++++++++++

According to Boortz the “excuse” is to blame it on Lehrer: Others are blaming it on poor old Jim Lehrer. The Soros-funded MediaMatters, for instance, is running a story this morning titled “How Jim Lehrer Lost The Debate.” This theme is being repeated by others and you’ll certainly hear more of it today. When Bill Maher tweets that “Maybe Obama DOES need a teleprompter” you know something has gone horribly wrong.

Adam

October 4th, 2012
8:39 am

Kramer: Obama showed he can not even verbally support his own policies much less explain them

Romney can’t support his own plans either. That’s why he said his plans were really the same as Obama’s on education and regulation and pretended his tax plan doesn’t cost $5 trillion.

casual observer

October 4th, 2012
8:39 am

Did you see obama crossing his legs behind the podium? Did he have to pee or something.

gm

October 4th, 2012
8:39 am

Yes Obama was not prepared for the many changing sides of Mitt, had he embraced these polcies during the primary he would not have been elected, this guy has moved to the middle he almost sounded like a lib.

I love it when the right counts Obama out, this is when the man is at his best, Ohio, Mich and Florida voters what count, Georgia is not even in the mix, closed minded people will always keep this state at the lowest””””

RB from Gwinnett

October 4th, 2012
8:39 am

Hey libs here defending Obama. You ARE the 47% Romney was talking about and your blind devotion to him is proving the point he made. You aren’t paying any taxes and nothing is going to sway you from voting for Obama. Sorry if Romney pointing that out hurts your feelings, sheep, but every time you post these whines you prove his point.

Fred ™

October 4th, 2012
8:40 am

Hey butch, looks like you have a secret admirer. Look Sundance has “shown up.”