President Obama and Mitt Romney have their first Presidential debate tonight. Mitt Romney is reportedly prepared to answer questions about his 47 percent comments. Richard Wolffe and Alex Wagner join Ed to discuss it.
I forgot to add, that the overall performance of the President was not good. I don't know why he kept looking down. I think he haden't anticipated Romney, coming in there and dissing the moderator, and kicking the guy in the shins to the sidelines, and dissing him, and taking over the whole thing. Jim Leher should have stood up to it, and should have not let it happen. When I said that the President, held his own, I meant he did in so far as explaining some of his policies. But I don't know why he didn't go after Romney, and his lies. Especially the one about the $716 million dollars taken from Medicare, and the Romney lies about Social Security. I couldn't stand most of the questions, why did they leave so much out, like womens issues, and alot more. Why did they leave these things out? The President has to make some real adjustments for the next one that is for sure.
Puyallup Girl-Denver Fan
10/3/2012 10:15:35 PM
I don't give a craps ass, who won the debate, like people on facebook, are saying that Romney won it. all I know is, what is in the heart of the two men who stood up there. I care about what this President has done, and he has done alot. Romney let us see what was in his heart, for over a year now, and all of the videos and the foam coming out of his mouth, where he dissed half of the country, reapeatedly, time, after, time, nausiates me to no end. Since I have allready voted, I was just interested in seeing Romney up there. I guess he memorized all those zingers, pretty darn well, especially the ones touting the false facts on his record as Governor!
Puyallup Girl-Denver Fan
10/3/2012 10:00:53 PM
well! The winner of the debate certainly wasn't Jim Lehrer, the poor guy kind of lost control of everything, because Romney, wouldn't let the poor guy get a word in. He kept interrupting everyone, including the President and putting it mildly, to lie, and promote the me society he so desperately wants. The President held his own, under the pressure of Romney, and his interrupting and his lies, about what the President has done, and the lies about what he did as Governor. Massachussetts was not number one in jobs, and education as Romney tried to frame it. Or, this question, why have you been running away from all of your record, during the Republican debates, and beyond, and all through the campaign, just to rub the backsides of the extreme right. Now suddenly, 30 days before most people go out to vote, you are so interested and excited about what you did as Governor, and so interested in that half of the country that you dissed in that video, when you thought no-one was watching! I think the current Governor, Deval Patrick, has some other ideas, and some facts concerning what you really did as Governor, and what a mess you left that
state in. In fact, it has been taking him and others 8 years to fix the big fat mess, you left there. and to end, this, I would like to aske Romney, this question. If you were so great, why didn't you run for a second term, and run on your fabulous record, that you are touting here tonight??? Huh? Huh? Huh? All Romney did tonight was interrupt Jim Leher, and tout the GOP, ideas of breaking down all government, and thus turning everything into a me-society! It was pretty evident, what he was trying to do!!! When it was all said and done, Romney still didn't give any detailed information. Granted it is difficult, to do, when you have to answer two minute questions. He shoud have had plenty of time, though,because Leher didn't talk hardly at all!
blueb
10/3/2012 10:00:25 PM
Well Romney won that one imo....but think how far he had to go to not loose. entering he was a big joke...all he had to do was not get laughed at to win.
Linda S Houston
10/3/2012 7:55:12 PM
As Yogi Berra used to say, "It's deja vu all over again."
Just as it was 4 years ago, this election is about leadership plain and simple. Who has not only shown leadership the last 4 years but who has again run a campaign and a convention that was energized and united?? Hint---their symbol is NOT an elephant.
With the GOP you've even got the P and VP nominees not getting along behind the scenes and the VP calling the P nominee a very unseemly name. Even McCain and Palin managed to fake their way through and didn't show the cracks until later. You've even got GOP fundraisers jumping ship, you've got the P nominee's wife sniping and snarking at reporters. It's just not a pretty scene for American politics.
The American people at this critical point in our history desperately need cool headed non ego driven leadership. And compassion, compassion for the millions who have suffered miserable during the last 4 plus years, most notably children because one in 5 in this country lives in poverty.
I wish someone would ask Romney this evening if we are such a great nation and have all this wealth how is it that 1 in 5 of our children live in poverty??? Is he going to answer that they won't take responsibility for themselves? That they want handouts??
There was an online poll today about how many people had already made up their minds who they were going to vote for and that the debates will not change that much in their minds.
This is where the difference lies. You've got Christie declaring a game changer after an hour and a half of a debate. That is the kind of thing that scares me. This is all they've got? So drama and Romney coming out with fangs and brass knuckes is all of a sudden going to make everyone want to vote for him? After what he said about nearly half the American people??? After over a year of refusing to answer any specific questions about what his economic or healthcare plan is for the country? Dumbed down doesn't even begin to describe this bunch. And they are counting on nearly half of America to be just as dumb.
Newsflash GOP, more than half of America is way smarter than you and they are on to your game. It's an empty shell of a campaign that reveals itself daily.
Best of luck tonight Mr. President and Happy 20th Anniversary to you and the First Lady!
Bob Bobonde, Minto ND.
10/3/2012 7:19:23 PM
Obama should say: "which one of you shall I respond to?"
Puyallup Girl-Denver Fan
10/3/2012 6:29:28 PM
Its like Romney has stated many times before. He thinks that we are jealous of, the wealthy, and all that they stand for. If we would just let them control everything, we could have what they have too! Not!
I hate to break it to Romney, but, one liners just won't cut it with most people, in a debate, or anywhere else. You have to have a sincere heart, and that is where the president has him beat. It goes back to wht you were a long time ago. But like I have stated before, The Kennedy's with all their money never had the problems, relating to people, like Romney, and others have had. The Kennedy's grew up helping others. They had a person in their own family who was special needs, and that helped them set priorities from the get go. You either have it or you don't. You just simply cannot manufacture, empathy, and caring, and heart!!!!!!!
miblue
10/3/2012 5:10:17 PM
I think Mitt should wear sunglasses to hide his sneeky eyes. Combined with his phony laugh and fake smile he is starting 3 poll points in the hole for just showing up. He will need a gigantic policy boost to overcome the creepy feeling he exudes. If he wasn't so rich and will be fine win or loose, I'd feel sorry for the poor guy.
Lee, Albuquerque
10/3/2012 3:56:44 PM
I can't take credit for this but it's too good not to pass on: The Democrats hired Clint Eastwood to help the President prepare for the debate. Apparently old Clint is an expert at talking to an empty suit.
ron mariposa
10/3/2012 3:11:47 PM
I wonder if a true and truthful quetionaire was given to people on what happened to the investments during the melt down and if they are going to retire or be able to retire as they wanted. I know that when all that good deregulation happened and the melt down happened I lost about 1/3 or more because of it. I wasnt relying on this for retirement, but when you had some modest plans for travel and things you wanted to do go by the wayside is hard to take when you did what was right and then some jerks screw things up and walks away with millions and then cries about the economy . The people who are wealthy who made moneny have no idea of what they did to many people who now are unable to retire or have to sit at home and become vegies and die so the rich can get richer. I am not sitting around and am retired, but several projects wont happen and I to make money I go on fires for the county. This allows us some extra and I always wonder what people do who cant do things to make a little money for special things. I think the wealthy had their way they would have death panels to do away with obsolet workers so they dont worry about people hanging around on retirement.
