What is it with these Sorkin series? First, Martin Sheen thought he actually was the President, now Harry Dunne thinks he's Walter Cronkite.
I've thought he was very good in previous debates. He lost a bit of control, but I think he wanted more back and forth. Perhaps he wanted the chaos.
I thought he tried to tee up some softballs for Obama early. When Obama didn't tee off on those, he just gave up.
I think it was intentional; trying to get some of the undecideds who voted for Senator Obama in 2008.
I hate to quote DailyKOS, but he got it right. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/...residential-debate-President-Obama-vs-Mr-47-6 6:44 PM PT: Romney almost makes a collosal mistake, initially saying he and Obama have the same plan on Medicare for people in the next decade. But he quickly realizes that would be a denial of his bogus $716 billion attack. So in the course of about 75 seconds he goes from saying he and Obama agree on Medicare ... to Obama is the worst person in the world on Medicare. Got whiplash? I do. 6:46 PM PT: This split-screen really is not kind to Mitt Romney. And while I think he's generally been fairly composed during his speaking moments, he really hasn't laid down the seeds of any argument that will undermine or weaken Obama. And I really think he made a mistake with his Medicare answer, initially forgetting that he's supposed to say Obama is evil.
Bingo. The challenger almost always has the advantage. President Obama will be much more agressive and much better prepared in the second debate. It's also a town hall format, which should be to the president's advantage.
The comment to President Obama where he said, "So, you're for a balanced approach" instead of saying "So, you're for increasing taxes along with reducing revenues" was cringeworthy.
How is that going to be an advantage for Obama? Unemployment is up under Obama, and the only positive in the presidency in terms of the economy is that the stock market is still paying off for those who can afford to play that game. I know your m.o. here in terms of playing it even, but I put $200 where my mouth is, because I see Obama just falling apart in October once Romney finally shows that Barry isn't running against Bush. It was PATHETIC watching Obama bring up Clinton tonight, by the way. Nobody cares anymore, Barack.
It's cute seeing you try so hard to prop up an incompetent President. Nobody cares about defunding PBS.
I was intrigued that the President brought up pay-for-performance in terms of doctors and health care, but teachers' unions (as shown in Chicago and the Washington State races I'm peripherally following) being adamantly opposed to it. I know he said something about it in 2009, but if there has been more traction on it since then I haven't seen it. As I'm lazy, can someone tell me if PPACA has any merit-pay incentives or rules?
Or, the open-ended "what is your approach" is better than the yes/no softball. Lehrer was a joke, but Obama whiffed on softballs.
It is my hope that Gov. Romney will win, and I think he's the superior candidate. However, my concern is about people who don't pay attention (low information voters) and believe everything they hear and those who like "free" shit from the government.
First, I said that Romeny was winning the debate. First post in this whole damn thread. Second, I've been posting humorous things I saw on twitter from both sides. You don't know a damn thing about my politics or beliefs so please don't try and label me. And lastly, I rather enjoy PBS, I have contributed to it and would miss it if it were gone.
What impressed me most about Gov. Romney was his command of the salient facts. He prepared--I imagine--the same way he would prepare for a pitch to buy a company. Turn it inside-out, figure out the issues and be ready for any defense that may come up from management.
