To me, Obama seemed tired and distracted and Mitt seemed energized. (Of course, not knowing what the "job" entails and how hard change comes could account for some of that.) My husband, who is a Republican, is convinced that Obama planned the whole thing (for some yet unknown reason). Although he will vote against him, he realizes how intelligent Obama is and says he would never let himself get caught offguard. I'm interested in what others think.
I think Obama went in with just a bit too much confidence and he really didn't seize the opportunities that came up to pounce on Romney... 2 more debates scheduled before the election so we will probably see a big change in the next one... I think the biggest mistake he made last night was in saying that he and Romney mostly agreed on Social Security when that just is not the case considering Romney's 47% comments.
Thanks for your comments. And thanks for being objective and CIVIL! Don't see a lot of that these days in discussions about politics. I also think the next debate will be different. My Republican husband's thinking is that Obama didn't want to be seen as "pouncing." Who knows? Thanks again for the comment and your civilized manner!
marsei
This is a copy and paste of my assessment from another thread:
"On demeanor and performance, Romney was vastly better. Obama was off his game. On substance, I call it a draw. Romney lied confidently; Obama's claims were muddled.
Methinks one candidate spent more hours prepping than the other, which makes sense because one is "unemployed" (his words) and the other is POTUS. lol"
Let me expand on that. When I say "Romney lied confidently" I'm referring to the ease with which he suddenly claimed a moderate stance on Social Security, Medicare, taxation, and health care after campaigning with extreme positions on all of them for the past 18 months. I think it is possible that Obama was caught off guard that Romney could so drastically change what he has been saying even as lately as a week ago and do it with such gusto and finesse.
When I say "Obama's claims were muddled" I mean he didn't do a very good job of staying on point while simultaneously addressing Romney's latest sketch in his etch-a-sketch campaign.
When I pointed out that one is POTUS and the other is self-described as "unemployed," it was a shorthand way of saying that who knows what Obama dealt with leading up to the debates that could have distracted from either preparation or performance. Mittens, as an unemployed campaigner, has the luxury of time that Obama does not.
No, I don't think Obama planned to underperform, although I do think he is always careful not to appear too aggressive or arrogant as there is a certain segment of the population who is always looking for him to be one or both. I also think he is methodical and intelligent, and you will see a different strategy in the next debate. He will be prepared when Mitt reinvents himself yet again to appear more moderate and pivots to claim a stance that is opposite to one he has articulated in the past.
Great assessment. I have also begun to think something is up that Obama is having to deal with, although we'll never know what or maybe just the daily dealing the POTUS has to do. It's sad that it's good for one candidate to be aggressive and arrogant and not another, but that's just the way it is and I agree that he's careful not to be.
Thanks for your insightful comments.
marsei
It was not planned!
Obama was not "off his game"!
What you witnessed was an inexperienced incumbent with no actual success. yes he passed healthcare, he also ignored the economy in doing so, and most Americans do not want it! He got schooled, plain and simple!
But. feel free to justify his incompetence if it makes you feel better.
Well, actually, if you read my post, it was my husband who was "justifying" if anyone, and he will vote Republican as always.
Oh yeah, he was just "tired and distracted".
Well, he has more experience in being president than Romney has
As I predicted yesterday, people will see what they want to see in debates.
Yep, you're right on all counts. Thanks for commenting.
marsei
True, although Romney has more life experience.
Al Gore just used the excuse that the altitude was the cause.
Too funny.
It depends what you consider "life". For many people that would include being in a single parent household, going into debt and so forth to be life experiences.
OK, Romney has been in more positions that his views have been challenged. Obama has been pretty much coddled during his adult life, he is more used to the lecture scene than the debate.
I don't think you could describe his first term of office as being at all like that.
He does not even do press conferences, how many times has Obama been actually drilled with questions? He has not been challenged since John Mccain was run over.
When Barack is on the attack, he is flawless, make him defend his actions, he falls flat.
Going into debt with a small business has been a large part of mine. I can't imagine life without it and will be paying for it for years. Thanks for this slice of reality.
marsei
I am no Mitt fan but I believe Romney made great progress in pointing out the fact that if in 2009 the economy was so important and it was, why was it that Obama had not concentrated all his efforts in making that turn around. Instead a long drawn out debate and battle was waged to make the heathcare bill pass all the while the economy remained stagnate. That was Romneys big talking point that Obama totally let slide by like a missed missle while it was the most poignant thing Romaney said all night.
I have no doubt Obama underestimated Romneys stiff robotic demeanor as something he could charm his way though but Romney whether factual or fractual was up for the challenge while Obama was left snoozing.
Lets see round two!
i noticed in the taxcut discussion. While renewing the Bush taxcuts, Obama said that raising taxes during a recession was foolish. Yet Obama cannot seem to acknowledge a reality without higher taxes on someone. Romney stated that lowering unemployment, broadening the tax base, would raise revenue. It seemed that Obama could not fathom the concept, it was in his body language.
Besides losing the war on words, Obama looked anything but presidential last night, he appeared to be suffering a scolding and meekly accepting it!
Overall, I thought it was a good debate and felt that Romney was more confident and better prepared with specific hits. His weakness to me was his repeated suggestion that states take on more fiscal responsibility/decision making when most are already struggling w/ serious economic and fiscal problems. This seemed idealistic and impractical. Obama's most confident area was healthcare. I think the next debate will show changes in both as their "handlers" tweak their strengths and weakneses. A little more eye contact toward his opponent would have served Obama better than his head-hanging/note-taking stance.
Obama is left with making Big Bird jokes. Kind of like taking a morning after pill after you get you know what.
Next Ryan will make Biden look like Cookie Monster without a cookie.
Wake up! These two CEO's are nothing more than political hacks who work for (ALEC) corporations and banks. We, as a people need to realize that the US Gov is a corporation (1871 Act) and they do not work for us... We are sovereign citizens of our respective state, not Washington, D.C. and unless we consent to their power - they have NONE!
Future with either one of these front-men: More wars - Bigger Military - More Taxes - More Rules & Regulations - Police State Surveillance .... and more.
Welcome to HP, you have brought up more than can be handled by the HP forums.
So you suggest what to remove power? Not voting or voting for a third party?
Thanks, Cat. Very good points. I noticed the lack of eye contact and head hanging also. I hope that changes next time.
Also agree about the states taking on more fiscal responsibility. Louisiana is struggling along
with many other states.
Rhamson,
Thanks for your comments. I noticed the exact thing you did and still don't know why Obama let it slide. I, too, am waiting for round 2.
Obama did seem off and was far from his usual self. Maybe there is a problem we don't know about. I know I wouldn't want his job.
Either of these two:
-Felt distracted, for whatever reason.
-Agreed with Mitt, but didn't want to admit it.
I have seen Obama with much more energy, and fight. This was surprising. Something is up, but by no means did it appear "planned" to me.
It's starting to look like it was a strategy. The media has found lots of "inaccuracies" in what Romney said in more than 50% of his statements and for the first time he rambled on about what he would do as president, like taxing everything while cutting taxes for the rich.
I just told my husband someone else sees it his way. He's delighted. That's what he's been saying, that Obama just let Romney rip and waited for the media to point out the inaccuracies. He even says he saw a little smile on Obama's face each time it happened, but I think that's a stretch!
Thanks for your comment.
marsei
Obama is much smarter than he may appear at times. I'm surprised the media pounced on him so quickly. He will come on much strategically stronger in the days ahead. Most of us knew that it was going to be a good night for the opponent. He really had no choice, but like Obama says on this video, the Mitt that showed up wasn't the real Mitt Romney. lol
http://www.upworthy.com/was-that-debate … eed?c=ufb1
As I said in another thread, Obama let Romney prattle on, just a little too long for Romney's own good.
Oh, my, Joe will love hearing someone else agrees with him, Hollie!
Thanks for commenting.
Great post debate topic, Marsei and follow up discussion here. I watched the debate; I was disappointed with Obama's lack of energy and I just rationalize it as a man who wanted to be home with his wife to celebrate their anniversary, (of course, I'm not serious!)
I agree with Rcrumple: people will see what they want into the debate. The debates will prove who's a slick speaker, however, in the end...I believe most people have already made their choice and are just counting down the days...
Thanks, Denise, it's been a fun discussion. You're right; we all see what we want. And likely we'll never know why Obama's energy and usual confidence were off last night. Joe and I stopped canceling out each other's votes years ago and just stay home. We just don't let the other out of sight on election day! We voted together once when David Duke was running against Edwin Edwards for governor or Louisiana, the year bumper stickers said: "Vote for the Thief; it's important."
Will likely never happen again that we'll vote for the same candidate!
Thanks for commenting.
marsei
"Wake up! These two CEO's are nothing more than political hacks who work for (ALEC) corporations and banks. We, as a people need to realize that the US Gov is a corporation (1871 Act) and they do not work for us... We are sovereign citizens of our respective state, not Washington, D.C. and unless we consent to their power - they have NONE!
Future with either one of these front-men: More wars - Bigger Military - More Taxes - More Rules & Regulations - Police State Surveillance .... and more."
Shagwalla,
While being concerned about the power and political influence of banks and corporations, don't be snowed by the behemouth unions that are sneaking in the rear while all eyes are on Occupy Wall St.
I'm not fully understanding the OWS movement and tend to believe that it is some sort of premeditated distraction, rather than organic. I'm just not sure. By no means to I excuse or take my eye off the union component. Corruption from the bankers, corporations and most unions are equal in many ways. They are obviously vying for control and influence to line their own interests and pockets, so to speak. I feel we should always question all things and at the end of the day; Cui Bono? Who benefits?
by Eric L. Andrews 11 years ago
Who won the presidential debate last night, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?
by Susan Reid 11 years ago
This is from FORBES. I am posting the whole article for your consideration:In tonight’s debate we saw a transformed Barack Obama, and it made a very big difference. In the first debate Governor Mitt Romney was relaxed and confident and in command; Obama was practically absent. Tonight, Obama was on...
by JaxsonRaine 11 years ago
Lots of people gave me flack for saying the debate was very poorly moderated. I say Candy was very biased, but let's just focus on one example. I want someone who loves Obama to explain why this wasn't an example of bias.You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ujxXuNgGsAn audience...
by Holle Abee 11 years ago
To Obama, I'd say to be more engaged and show a little more passion. Act like you WANT to be POTUS for 4 more years.To Romney, I'd say, "Calm down!" I thought he did a good job in the last debate, but at times, he seemed almost manic. I'd also tell both to be completely truthful, but that...
by Scott Belford 7 years ago
There were two distinct debating styles on display last night on Sept 26, 2016.How do you describe what in on?
by Holle Abee 11 years ago
They're giving all three states to Romney and will not conduct any more polls there.ARE THEY CRAZY??I could maybe see NC, but even there, I wouldn't put money on Romney's winning. Are they basing their decision on a single debate?? Has anyone told them that there are two more Romney-Obama debates...
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