The First Debate: Why I believe Romney played right into Obama's hands

[evanrick]

Whats stunning about Romney's debate performance is that while it seemed like a good sales pitch it wasn't nearly as popular as when John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate.

That in of itself speaks as to how disconnected Romney is from Americans actual struggles.

I saw Obama, as a lot of Americans saw him, as part of the real America that has been trying to do everything they can, to do the right thing like passing Obamacare.

If anyone remembers 2008, Palin was seen as a godsend to the McCain campaign. Shortly after naming her, McCain enjoyed an edge over Obama in the polls. But soon as Palin was exposed to the light of day, she became a huge liability.

The same thing will happen again to Romney as he has only repeated the same easy arguments any challenger can make. As John Kerry can attest, he couldn't even defeat the 'worst president in recent history' George Bush. Why? Because you cant simply be against someone, especially when your reasons are precarious and illusive at best and your base of attack is to create a environment where average Americas must suffer under republican obstruction while simultaneously claiming you are not part of the problem.

More or less, Obama put himself in that 47% last night and Romney played right into Obama's hands. I will say it, Romney victimized Obama, like his class of people have been victimizing working Americans for decades now.

Not sure if Obama intended this, but if he did, it was an astute almost shrewd maneuver.

Put it another way, Obama has so much faith built up among the American people it would be 'unholy' if we re-elected Bush but punished a good man like Obama for doing the right thing.

And if Obama doesn't get the desired effect...well.. democrats still got a secret weapon named Joe Biden and Joe Biden is still a big f'ing deal.

[rareboy]

But after all is said and done, Obama has to step up his game in the debates.

Not shooting down lies is a bad strategy. A lie repeated often enough without challenge becomes the truth.

[Benvolio]

You just don't get it. The Democrats like to think they are the party of the people. They are merely the party of the minority people versus the majority, with the majority always feeling that they are the victims. In 2010 Pat Randell said famously, "Blacks and Hispanics are the heart and soul of the Democrat base." The Republicans won 60% of the vote for a landslide. The Republicans are the party of the assimilated majority. With a Democrat President, preferring the minorities and goofing everything he touches, a Republican landslide is virtually inevitable. The gaffes and accusations, and policy debates will not effect it much. It is a lot like a football game. Each has a favorite team and we don't change loyalties just because our team fumbles the ball or has a bad season.

[chance1]

A true LOFL moment

Obama planned his ineptitude

And his Un-Presidentialness

Uh boy

[Jack Springer]

evanrick --- Bush is not running.

You believe that last night's debate loss was part of a plan by Obama? Very creative.

Biden is a dick ... people don't laugh with him, they laugh at him.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/bid...-debate,29785/

[Just_Believe18]

Nah, he just sucked in the debate last night and has to step it up from here on out.

[MisterMajestic]

Whether the Presidents lack-luster performance @ last nights debate was intentional or strategized 58-million people watched and the polls will probably show they LOVED Mitt's performance. Some will listen to what the Fact-checkers say but most will not care....

John McCain said it best this morning "Do not underestimate Barry"....

The Romney campaign can finally celebrate a 1-night Victory after running a terrible campaign...I caution them...Obama has gone after The Clintons, The Mccains and the Republicans in Congress and they didnt see him coming.......

He's a very, very clever Politician.....And right now I think President Obama is VERY, very upset at himself...LOL...Going forward he's going to Strangle the Romney Campaign like NEVER before....Just watch...

[Jack Springer]

^^

Very true. Obama has a record of being ruthless with opponents. Just ask his former opponents in Illinois.

Look for some dirty tricks coming soon from his camp.

[Spiff]

Mitt didn't win the debate as much as BO lost it. Ultimately BO is responsible for his performance last night. He probably got some bad advice on his strategy, but he went with it. With only a month left and with Mitt's numbers taking a nosedive leading to the debate, that was not the time to act passive and just let Mitt lie his ass off.

Today BO got fired up. This is more baffling. Instead of using that energy to preach to a much smaller choir at a stump speech today, he should have used it last night in front of the record millions of viewers watching.

So yes I am concerned. This may have been enough to make a few crucial swing states swing back the other way. Still no way in hell I am swayed to vote for Mitt. The things most important in my life and my values are still favored by BO sticking around another 4 years.

[GiancarloC]

You just don't get it. The Democrats like to think they are the party of the people. They are merely the party of the minority people versus the majority, with the majority always feeling that they are the victims. In 2010 Pat Randell said famously, "Blacks and Hispanics are the heart and soul of the Democrat base." The Republicans won 60% of the vote for a landslide. The Republicans are the party of the assimilated majority. With a Democrat President, preferring the minorities and goofing everything he touches, a Republican landslide is virtually inevitable. The gaffes and accusations, and policy debates will not effect it much. It is a lot like a football game. Each has a favorite team and we don't change loyalties just because our team fumbles the ball or has a bad season.

The 2010 midterm elections have a lower turn-out then general elections. Republicans are all about gaffes this time. Just ask Romney... and the sugar coated lies in the debate will backfire. The Romney campaign has had a screwed up fumbled campaign... asides from his powdery performance in the 1st debate. You forget there are several other more important debates.

[chance1]

Mitt didn't win the debate as much as BO lost it. Ultimately BO is responsible for his performance last night. He probably got some bad advice on his strategy, but he went with it. With only a month left and with Mitt's numbers taking a nosedive leading to the debate, that was not the time to act passive and just let Mitt lie his ass off.

Today BO got fired up. This is more baffling. Instead of using that energy to preach to a much smaller choir at a stump speech today, he should have used it last night in front of the record millions of viewers watching.

So yes I am concerned. This may have been enough to make a few crucial swing states swing back the other way. Still no way in hell I am swayed to vote for Mitt. The things most important in my life and my values are still favored by BO sticking around another 4 years.

Barack Obama's efforts are wasted today

he needed to be "ready" last night

sore loser city

[Benvolio]

Biden-Ryan is going to be a riot. Biden yesterday admitted that "we" want to raise taxes a TRILLION DOLLARS. Obama must lay awake nights wondering what idiocy Biden will say next.

[GiancarloC]

Biden's comments were taken out of context. I'm sure underestimating Biden will be to his advantage.

[FuryOfFirestorm]

Honestly, if I had to spend my 20th wedding anniversary having to listen to Mitt spew lie after lie, I'd be pretty much out of it too.

[MisterMajestic]

FuryofFirestorm...I hear'ya but we can't make excuses for The President...We hurt ourselves when we do that and its just not worth it.....What he did was either planned or he bombed..It's one or the other...One thing I will say is the Left & Right Cable News Media has spent the last 2 1/2 days in Debate over-kill....It's not the end of the world because President Obama didnt show up to aggressively engage Mitt...The Obama Administration did owe their supporters an explanation and they gave one.

And did you see the huge Fireworks display Mitt put on to celebrate @ his Rally on Thursday....LOL...Once again over-kill over 1 Debate...

And you are looking HOT in that new Avatar pic. I wish I could grow a full beard like that...My facial hair only grows in patches so I can't go there...

[Jack Springer]

Honestly, if I had to spend my 20th wedding anniversary having to listen to Mitt spew lie after lie, I'd be pretty much out of it too.

I keep reading about all these lies that Romney told and yet no one has made a list.

I wonder why?

[GiancarloC]

I keep reading about all these lies that Romney told and yet no one has made a list.

I wonder why?

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-me...ential-debate/

Ho hum.

I've posted it like six times in the debate thread. Obama had a better tendency of telling the truth, while many of the things Romney said were either "mostly false" or "completely false".

[evanrick]

Well when Obama is re-elected and I am proven right again will people still be standing behind their flawed logic? Even now Republicans are living in their own warped world and playing birther on the jobless reports. Get real folks.

Everything that I have said before is just as true now as it was true then, you attack Obama and you make yourself look bad.

Every time the Republicans talk about the economy, it just makes the real America and Obama stronger.

[Kulindahr]

Romney may have played into Obama's hands, but I don't think it was intentional. Obama should be capitalizing on it by reading from the fact checker columns at the start of his speeches.

[FuryOfFirestorm]

FuryofFirestorm...I hear'ya but we can't make excuses for The President...We hurt ourselves when we do that and its just not worth it.....What he did was either planned or he bombed..It's one or the other...One thing I will say is the Left & Right Cable News Media has spent the last 2 1/2 days in Debate over-kill....It's not the end of the world because President Obama didnt show up to aggressively engage Mitt...The Obama Administration did owe their supporters an explanation and they gave one.

And did you see the huge Fireworks display Mitt put on to celebrate @ his Rally on Thursday....LOL...Once again over-kill over 1 Debate...

And you are looking HOT in that new Avatar pic. I wish I could grow a full beard like that...My facial hair only grows in patches so I can't go there...

1. I'm not excusing Obama's poor performance, just theorizing what's behind his lackluster performance. Anniversary or not, Barack should have had his knives out. Hopefully, he won't make that mistake in Round 2

2. Thanks for the compliment, Majestic. TBH, I could barely grow a mustache in my teens and had a hard time cultivating anything past a goatee in my 20s. Once I hit my 30's, I was able to grow a full beard practically overnight. I stopped shaving since it was a pain in the ass to do it twice a day. Now I just trim and shampoo it once a week to keep it clean and neat looking.

[bw92116]

PDF version

[Jack Springer]

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-me...ential-debate/

Ho hum.

I've posted it like six times in the debate thread. Obama had a better tendency of telling the truth, while many of the things Romney said were either "mostly false" or "completely false".

Ho hum.

Looks like they were about equal in their inaccuracies.

[spooger]

Romney may have played into Obama's hands, but I don't think it was intentional. Obama should be capitalizing on it by reading from the fact checker columns at the start of his speeches.

and until obama can read from a teleprompter at the debate, his performance will be the same ...

he is NOT the great communicator people assume him to be ... he's a good READER ... when he goes extemporaneous, he is a FAIL

i can't wait to see the vp debate ... i expect biden to have a howard dean moment ... he will melt down like he always does and make a bigger fool of himself ... and the dem campaign will be re-spinning everything he says for a week ... LOL

[GiancarloC]

Ho hum.

Looks like they were about equal in their inaccuracies.

NOPE. Read the source again. If you can. Obama said more truthful things, and Romney was outright lying most of the time.

- - - Updated - - -

he is NOT the great communicator people assume him to be ... he's a good READER ... when he goes extemporaneous, he is a FAIL

Really? Do you remember the debates in 2008?

i can't wait to see the vp debate ... i expect biden to have a howard dean moment ... he will melt down like he always does and make a bigger fool of himself ... and the dem campaign will be re-spinning everything he says for a week ... LOL

I doubt it. Biden will do just fine against that idiot Ryan... who can't talk without saying a lie.

[spooger]

*clip*
Really? Do you remember the debates in 2008?



I doubt it. Biden will do just fine against that idiot Ryan... who can't talk without saying a lie.

i sure do remember ... and i stand by my statement

biden is a dope ... he's going to crash and burn

sorry if you're a fan

[GiancarloC]

Why does one cut out parts of posts? Is it because they don't want to respond?

No, Ryan is going to crash and burn. He's such a horrible liar even Fox News called him out lol. Biden... go ahead and underestimate him.

[Spiff]

Ryan is going to crash and burn.

Can't say I predict the same. Ryan is actually a better liar than Romney, and look how well it turned out for Romney this week. Ryan is said to be even better in this type of setting than Romney is, presentation-wise. I think the VP debate is going to start much the same as this week's presidential debate did, with viewers quickly being taken in by how much they underestimated Ryan. How Biden reacts is going to be key. Big pressure on Joe this week; I'm seriously hoping he is up for the task. He has some cleaning up to do after BO.

Uttered on Bill Maher last night "Television is 85% visual (how you look), 10% how you sound (your tone), and only 5% of what you actually say". In the case of debates, this is likely sad but true. Fortunately, we know Biden typically has stronger body language than BO does, and often speaks with more passion.

[spooger]

Why does one cut out parts of posts? Is it because they don't want to respond?

*clip*.

no ... it is to indicate the PART of a previous post to which one is responding, especially when a post is long or addresses multiple ideas

cummon ... you know THAAAAT right?

[Jack Springer]

Too funny not to post a couple of times. . . .

[Telstra]

But after all is said and done, Obama has to step up his game in the debates.

Not shooting down lies is a bad strategy. A lie repeated often enough without challenge becomes the truth.

I also believe that in many small businesses.

Example:
My brother inlaw working as a kitchen hand/cook.
He lied to himself as a chef (no qualification) and open a take away shop.

[Telstra]

Too funny not to post a couple of times. . . .

Something very different in our political brains.
I find it ZERO funny. Not even a smile from me.

[Spiff]

Ok, I did laugh. It was a funny joke by Maher. Although not enough to post it in multiple threads. You do not get extra points for redundancy. Actually you get less. . .

[spooger]

I also believe that in many small businesses.

Example:
My brother inlaw working as a kitchen hand/cook.
He lied to himself as a chef (no qualification) and open a take away shop.

in your area, Telstra, must one BE a chef to open a take away shop?

ray crock started mcdonalds and built it into a huge multinational, multibillion $$$ business, and he wasn't a chef

other than adhering to health and sanitation codes, don't the PEOPLE decide whose product to buy or avoid?

on the other hand, does he falsely advertise that he has a certification he does not hold?

[Telstra]

in your area, Telstra, must one BE a chef to open a take away shop?

ray crock started mcdonalds and built it into a huge multinational, multibillion $$$ business, and he wasn't a chef

other than adhering to health and sanitation codes, don't the PEOPLE decide whose product to buy or avoid?

on the other hand, does he falsely advertise that he has a certification he does not hold?

Nope.
I believe many trades people don't have qualifications.
Example: painter, plumber, gardener, chef, hair dresser ... etc, the list goes on and on who knows.

[GiancarloC]

no ... it is to indicate the PART of a previous post to which one is responding, especially when a post is long or addresses multiple ideas

cummon ... you know THAAAAT right?

The refusal to answer the issues I brought up. That's what I'm getting from this post. You just "clipped" a part of my post that wasn't long at all. Lets be real.

[rareboy]

PDF version

Too funny not to post a couple of times.

[Kulindahr]

and until obama can read from a teleprompter at the debate, his performance will be the same ...

he is NOT the great communicator people assume him to be ... he's a good READER ... when he goes extemporaneous, he is a FAIL

i can't wait to see the vp debate ... i expect biden to have a howard dean moment ... he will melt down like he always does and make a bigger fool of himself ... and the dem campaign will be re-spinning everything he says for a week ... LOL

That's why at the next debate he should ignore the rules and go on attack immediately. It would probably take the whole time just to go over Romney's lies and present the actual facts.

[Kulindahr]

Why does one cut out parts of posts? Is it because they don't want to respond?

No, Ryan is going to crash and burn. He's such a horrible liar even Fox News called him out lol. Biden... go ahead and underestimate him.

All Biden has to do is interrupt Ryan every time the man lies, and recite a memorized item of truth to correct him. Using the parliamentary rules of order phrase "Point of information!" to begin each interruption would be effective.