7:38 Central Time: For some reason, I feel as though I'm not going to have anything to say. But I'm going to try to watch like a normal person, let it flow over me as if I didn't need to write about everything, and I'll see what happens. Please converse in the comments. And I'll do updates here if the spirit moves me.
7:43: Now, my son John is a fabulous live-blogger, and he's set up to go.
7:50: In the practice debates, Obama had John Kerry pretending to be Mitt Romney, and Romney had Rob Portman pretending to be Barack Obama. I've got to think Romney had the better practice partner. Why would Kerry be any good at that?
8:05: The candidates come out and shake hands. Meade: "Romney's taller." Me: "Romney has a bigger head."
8:06: Obama appropriately makes a statement about his wife. It's their 20th anniversary.
8:08: Romney says: "I'm sure this is the most romantic place you can imagine: here with me."
8:10: In the opening speeches, Romney had a great line about Obama thinking "trickle-down government" would work. "I'll restore the vitality that gets America working again." Meade says Romney won the opening statements: "Obama talked about himself and his job. Romney talked about us and our jobs."
8:13: Obama is talking up tax cuts for the rich!
8:23: "Donald Trump doesn't like to think of himself as small anything," says Obama.
8:26: Romney's going on about lowering taxes, and Obama looks irritated.
8:29: Jim Lehrer is getting the vapors. He seems very old, weak, and small. Romney seems to have a plan to dominate him.
8:41: Obama has a plan to flash his winning smile, but he just flashed it when Romney brought up Solyndra and said "You pick the losers."
8:43: Lehrer only interrupts Romney (it seems to me). "Let's go," he mutters gruffly.
8:53: How long is this debate? Is this 2 hours? Is anyone still watching?
8:55: Lehrer interrupts Obama. He's struggling to get some control. He seems desperate.
9:16: They're not really attacking each other. Just rolling out policies, pretty wonkily, and distinguishing theirs from the other guy's.
9:17: Do they differ on "how they view the role of the federal government?" Lehrer asks with dismaying generality.
9:19: Obama invokes Lincoln. Lincoln thought the government should do some things, and Obama tries to be like Lincoln.
9:20: Romney loves great schools and great teachers. But the question is what's the role of the federal government. "We're all children of the same God." We have the "right to pursue our own dreams" as "free people."
9:36: Obama's closing statement sounds like platitudes. I'm surprised he has nothing vivid to say. Romney goes second.
9:39: Lots of hanging out on stage... together. Could it be that they like each other?
10:29: Everyone seems to be saying that Obama lost by a lot. I blame John Kerry. I'll bet he was a terrible practice partner.
October 3, 2012
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1 – 200 of 780 Newer› Newest»Yes, let's (call the whole thing off, #cymbals!).
Cheers,
Victoria
Have a little faith, Ann. You can watch it and look for your unexpected (!) "How Romney lost me" moment.
Posting that will be sure to generate a lot of traffic. :)
For some reason, I feel as though I'm not going to have anything to say
You could always call someone ugly if they say anything untoward about Barack Obama.
"Have a little faith, Ann. You can watch it and look for your unexpected (!) "How Romney lost me" moment."
What makes you think it won't be "How Obama Lost Me"?
I am genuinely undecided, and I'm going to watch the debate like a real person, not like a blogger looking for things to put up.
I'm listening to French Suites, the whole debate being unbearable in advance, thanks to the idiot moderator and Obama, and Romney trying not offend women.
"You could always call someone ugly if they say anything untoward about Barack Obama."
Stop pressuring me. It doesn't work.
sort funny sorta sad.
Stop pressuring me. It doesn't work.
I'm not pressuring you. I'm poking fun at you.
I doubt they'll talk about about that video showing Obama being a dick again.
Go Mittens!
Two very different visions of America is pointless in advance if one can't work.
But how do you feel about it.
Please don't let a separate post dissuade you from whining about how Althouse might leave you for someone else. It's really quite attractive.
And, just for the record, I'm not being mean-spirited.
I wonder if this will come up in the debate:
“Eric Bolling revealed research on “The Five” that ten days before giving his race-baiting “those white people running the federal government hate all you poor/black people” speech, the US Senate had voted to waive the Stafford Act for significant funds for Katrina relief for New Orleans and – wait for it – then Sen. Obama voted AGAINST.”
********
“H.R.2206
Latest Title: U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 ”
***
“(Sec. 4501) Sets the federal share of assistance provided for Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and Texas in connection with Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Dennis, and Rita under the Stafford Act at 100% of eligible costs. Provides that such federal share shall apply to disaster assistance applied for before this Act’s enactment..”
The Senate vote:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00181
Obama voted No
Obama brought up Stafford Act in the video released last night by Tucker Carlson and here he is voting no, no to waiving it for New Orleans, and then he had the gall to lie about it in the Hampton speech in the video. So much of this guy is fake and lies.
"Let's watch the debate!"
Pass.
I'm here.
I predict an over prepared Romney mixes up his attacks and loses the debate. I hope otherwise, but Obama is just better at this I think.
Actually, Ann, most of your commenters really like you.
I cannot believe that I'm going to watch this, and watch it sober.
So much rides on this that I feel nauseated. And I'm just watching.
Just enough time to read this before the show starts:
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/10/03/Top-Ten-reasons-2007-Obama-vid-is-news
Should there be laws in America, or should the President continue to wing it.
The President gets to wing it until impeached or there's an election.
The latter is where we are.
Actually, Ann, most of your commenters really like you.
Yes, they do. Even the ones who are scarcer these days, than a job.
She is hard not to like. Just like my liberal aunt in Minneapolis.
Lyle, sociopathic Charlatans usually are..
"And, just for the record, I'm not being mean-spirited."
Is that poking fun at me, the sensitive woman, battered about by emotions?
I'm about to sit down and expose my emotions to Barry and Mitt. We'll see who makes my heart go pitter-pat.
I wonder which man will look more handsome?
Sarcasm is lazy. Figure out what's wrong, don't pass it off on the other guy to do.
"I'm not pressuring you. I'm poking fun at you."
Mocking Obama: ugly.
Exposing Obama: ugly.
Poking fun at Obama voter offended by release of video exposing Obama: ugly.
"Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon
Going to the candidates debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Ev'ry way you look at it, you lose"
'cept, it seems only Romney can lose.
No matter what low blows (otherwise known as lies) Obama delivers it is incumbent on Romney that he observe Marguess of Queensberrry rules at all times, that's what's expected of an honorable white man.
I think I'll just retire to my sleeping chambers with Volume Three of Gibbon. I mean, civilizations have died before, and it's no big deal really. Perhaps, in another couple thousand years, we'll have another crack at it.
Meanwhile, the barbarians can have their godamm "Obamaphones" for all I care.
Go Mitt! We are behind you..
I'm interested to see if the Grand Old Party of Stupid has gotten any smarter on these debate rules, moderator perogatives, and "audience" questions.
"Good evening to you too, Gwen. Gee, I hear the book of yours is really swell, and I bet sales will just take off like a rocket if Obama wins in November. You must be very excited." (Didn't hear that 4 years ago.)
Is that poking fun at me, the sensitive woman, battered about by emotions?
When did you stop beating your blogger?
Obama of course.
I can't stand watching these things but I'm going to anyway. Althouse needs my incisive wit and scintillating perspicacity to guide her back to the true path. All that is required is that no one in Denver, or in the television audience wherever in the world he may be, can notice that Obama subscribes to the African-American persuasion, because that would be racist.
Can't wait for the first ZINGER.
On O'Reilly, the unanimous opinion (except for O'Reilly) was Althouse's opinion.
Don't be hard on the poor black guy, Obama, or you'll hurt our feelings.
Only O'Reilly thought that Romney should go for the throat.
This is so bloody exciting.
I don't understand your snippiness, Althouse. You admitted that you make decisions based on emotion.
Then you accused everyone of doing the same thing.
I suspect we all know our own minds better than we know other's minds; so I believe your admission, and I deny your accusation.
Lehrer reminds me of a Lutheran minister.
Wouldn't it be AWESOME if Obama busts out with a negrodocious black accent?
Everybody, please refrain from being mean to Obama!
Althouse will denounce you as racist!
I think Jim Lerher should see go Bill Clinton's face guy.
Damnit....talkin' white.
Obama had John Kerry pretending to be Mitt Romney, and Romney had Rob Portman pretending to be Barack Obama. I've got to think Romney had the better practice partner. Why would Kerry be any good at that?
Because rich white guys are all the same?
Obama is lying.
Kerry and Mitt do have one thing in common. They both use about eight times more words than necessary to answer a question. Then you have to parse their word barrages for the meaning or intent of what they were trying to say. So in that sense, Kerry fits the bill.
Oso - Teabagger start.
That's odd, I read that there would be no opening statements.
"Only O'Reilly thought that Romney should go for the throat."
Well, I do too.
I think he should pummel the shit out of our failed, affirmative action president.
Obama is noted for being thin skinned.
No doubt no one has ever gotten in his face.
Make him defend his failures.
Make him defend his record.
Needle him, provoke him, piss him off.
Beat him down, pummel him - make him look like the failed president he is.
Run up the score.
Shut him out.
Pummel him until he cries like a baby.
Won't happen, of course, but I can hope.
And the rest of us should too.
Lem -Teabagger II.
Tim - Teabagger III
Did Romney have some frosting of the tips done for the debate?
Romney 1
Obama 0
5 parts is about 2 parts too many for today's attention span, Mitt.
Mitt was very good.
Shouting Dolt - Teabagger IV
Race to the top? He's always bringing up race.
Obama refuses to confront Romney.. staying with the script.
Well let me tell you what I want to do.
That is, let me answer the question I wanted you to ask.
Clear choice.
Obama = government "investment"
Romney = private solutions
Lem - Duh.
Solar.
Good time to mention Solyndra, Mitt. This will be the first time most viewers have heard of it.
I live and work in Denver. Most people left work early (about 3:00 pm) to avoid the traffic delays caused by the major road closures required by the Feds. And a number of the businesses in the area of the university (DU) had to outright close for over 5 hours. I wonder what the loss of productivity is related to the loss of 2 hours work for all those employees in the area. Couldn't they have had this production somewhere more, um, productive to the citizens?
8 Tillion, where's it going to come from?
Obama: Spending=investments. Doublespesk.
Romney "The path we are on is very unsuccessful".
Compared to what? Compared to the decimation of our industrial base and the overgrowth and subsequent collapse of the financial industry, which is what the previous Republican president achieved?
Is Obama gonna promise stuff. Think about that. Obama is making you a promise.
Ha!
Roberto - boring comments-clutterer I, II, III, IV...
Doublespeak, that is.
Romney: "I'm concerned that ...."
Going for the throat right off.
Obama: 0
Romney: 2
Hey, mitt just quoted Biden.
And WHY has middle income wages gone down?!
Romney concedes that high income people are doing fine under Obama.
Palladian - Hold off the sucking up mantra.
Ann, does it alter your opinion about the ugliness of those concerned about the 2007 Obama video to know that, before Obama whipped up a black crowd by telling them that the federal government had refused to give a Stafford waiver to Katrina victims, Congress had, in fact, already voted for such a waiver, and Obama knew that this was true and that he was telling a cynical lie to his audience -- because he had voted AGAINST the waiver?
If not, why the hell not?
Romney: I don't have a tax cut!
Wow, Obama's AWESOME!
Biden keeps looking at Obama while Obama looks down.
Obama is writing stuff down. He's taking notes because he needs some ideas from this guy. That's promising.
Not watching it ... never watch these. My mind's made up.
Roberto, Tea fetish? You might want expand your pejorative vocabulary.
Why, because of those greedy banksters hogging all the money, Inga. natch.
Mitt should look at the camera, not at Obama.
Romney "The path we are on is very unsuccessful".
Compared to what?
American history.
Open Message to the Fans of Obama on Althouse Blog:
Meet-up with me at the National Press Club. I am in the 2nd row with a red-head from Harvard. She wears the t-shirt: I heart O. (She really does that, you know.) I am wearing a black pin-stripe bespoke with yellow/blue tie (am from Michigan, you know that). My shirt is peach color. I have a french beard and I am 5-10. Come and join me.
To-night we will celebrate the LIVE destruction of Romney.
Every-one of my gang from K-street will be here. Our friends from NYT, NPR, MSNBC, WashPost, DailyBeast, HuffPost, all will be here. WHY? There is a party after 10:30 PM at the NPC with no cash bar (that is, all drinks are free).
Join me, watch the Mastery of the best and greatest POTUS Obama.
Cheerio!
Romney rushing and blathering a bit at the moment, looks anxious.
Obama has so far claimed to have encouraged oil and gas production in the U.S.and to have cut middle class taxes.
He's clearly tried to strangle domestic oil and gas production.
And, he's omitting Obamacare from his discussion of taxes.
They can buy a new car. Because we crushed all the used cars.
Lehrer is trying to break Obama's filibuster, and failing.
"And, just for the record, I'm not being mean-spirited."
Is that poking fun at me, the sensitive woman, battered about by emotions?
I'm about to sit down and expose my emotions to Barry and Mitt. We'll see who makes my heart go pitter-pat.
I wonder which man will look more handsome?
...hey, is ryan there (drool)
Keep an eye out for Obama giving someone the finger.
Obama is not looking at Romney is looking down, what's up with that?
Revenant said...
Romney "The path we are on is very unsuccessful".
Compared to what?
American history.
The Bush presidency is now being excluded from American history?
On French Suite no 4 now.
I didn't like them much as a kid, too sparse or something.
This guy takes all the repeats, which is a little excessive, though.
His technique is good though, and not hearing the debate is a big plus.
It's like finding a way to skip over the ads.
Romney looks anxious, talking too fast.
Lehrer lost control of this debate just after the opening statements.
Romney complains that tax plan description is inaccurate, but cannot explain which deductions are to be eliminated.
Hey, there's that sneer from Obama. Then a big forced smile.
Romney raises specter of racism merely by daring to appear on the same stage as a sitting half-black president. There's gall, there's unmitigated gall, and then there's the guy who names his kid Tagg.
Both candidates are composed and calm, Inga.
This "hysteria" thing is just your usual BS.
Obama's gotta settle down, way too wonkish now.
Did I mention that I paid $4.35/gallon for gas today?
Obama 0
Romney 3
Mittons - STILL DETAILS.
So, how long before Romney's statement about his 5 "boys" is reconstrued as racist?
For 18 months?
I thought democrats said Romney didn't have a plan.
Whos lying?
Not watching.
Happy Anniversary to Barack and Michelle. I hope Mitt's comment at the start got a smile from the both of them.
Obama leaves Obamacare out of the tax discussion altogether, as if it were not a huge burden on the middle class and small business.
Obama is nostalgic for Clinton. Watch for more of this.
He lowered tax rates for small businesses.
Unless they're S corps. Which most are. Lying asshole.
Yes, Clinton's tax rate.
"Romney looks anxious, talking too fast."
You and Obama need to try and keep up. This class moves very quickly, and it's up to you to absorb what's offered. This is not high school anymore.
Do Professors ever say that?
Romney is whuppin' ass. Obama is shufflin' and lookin' at his hands.
Wow! Obama goes for the big lie!
He claims that Romney considered Trump a small businessman.
Millionaresbillionares..
Good thing I'm not drinking.
I've kept up just fine Baggy.
Good Trump hit by Obama. No one likes Trump.
So I guess now we're redefining small businesses so that it only includes individuals. Peachy.
He chose to use the "Mr. President" Good choice.
Obamacare is a huge tax on the middle class and on business.
Romney is missing this.
Urkel is a rambling bufoon. You can physically see him mentally flustering to reach for answers and he's doing this stupid hand gesture of one hand above and one hand below.
Yes, Clinton's tax rate, courtesy of Gingrich and a repub congress.
The nostalgia tour.
I can't believe how many racist code words Romney is using.
Dog whistles, too. Doesn't anyone else hear them?
AA: "I've got to think Romney had the better practice partner. Why would Kerry be any good at that?"
Well, one thing: Kerry's done this himself, for real.
So far Mittens winning. More relaxed. Doesn't matter now tho..
"Jim, you may want to move on to another topic."
Love it!
Obama is worried. Romney is crushing it.
Obama goes all Blame Bush!
Oh gawd that fake smile, the cult smile as Crack would say.
Who's the composer, rh?
Mitt seems more accessible. His choice of words is less dense, less technical. Obama is wonkish. This is the opposite of what I anticipated.
Inga said...
Yes, Clinton's tax rate.
Idiot. It's the Gingrich tax rate since it's congress that determines tax rates in legislation. Clintons surplus was the product of a republican congress. Moron.
Obama really loves that '$5 trillion tax cut' factoid, doesn't he?
Why not ask why we have trillion dollar deficits right now?
Is this a referendum on Romney's plan or Obama's actual record of spectacular failure.
If it was only 1995 again, I'd be a great President.
Lehrer loses control. Good choice, there.
Romney not looking very presidential at the moment. Too wonky and the numbers don't add up. He knows this but has the problem that he can't specify what deductions go without upsetting the voters.
Ha! He concedes defeat and asks the moderate to move on! His filibuster fails and Romney wins round 1 0 to 4.
Jim, you may want to move on to another topic.
The President seems uncomfortable with the topic.
Both candidates put forth their platform well.
Depends on who you believe.
Boom. Last four years.
Better jump in there and stop him, Lehrer.
Kudos to Romney for insisting on a fair exchange.
Obama goes to the Clinton well and will keep going there. Comparisons between Bush and Clinton are great for the Democrats.
On French Suite no 4 now.
I didn't like them much as a kid, too sparse or something.
Strange, I didn't like them much when I was young either, I far preferred the English Suites. Do you like Glenn Gould's recording of the French Suites?
Great answer here by Romney: the immorality of generational theft.
Who's the composer, rh?
Bach. The French Suites are what you play when you run out of other stuff, and there's the music on the shelf.
They're mostly only two voices and so sort of insider music.
Romney's shifted focus to looking at the camera.
Better strategy.
It seems that Obama employed yes men in practice. Like always.
Hmmm I am listening to it on the radio...I was getting nervous about Romney's performance.
I think he needs to add the Obamacare taxes to the mix.
This is the opposite of what I anticipated.
Not watching, but if Mitt is being succinct, then not what I anticipated either.
Mitt is doing fine.
When he talks about lower rates, and getting rid of loop holes, he needs to expand. Talk about how the best accountants know how to hid income to lower tax rates. I used to work in accounting for a Fortune 100 company and know a bit about how Big Corporations hide income.
Oh gawd that fake smile, the cult smile as Crack would say.
What's your grin, the cunt smile?
I'm afraid to watch this live. My wife is watching in the other room and shouting commentary. From that perspective Romney is doing well. Once it is recorded I will watch it on CSPAN. Live? Live is like watching Juan Nieves no-hit the Orioles back in 1987. I knew if I was in the room with the television I would jinx it.
Trillion dollar deficits. Boom. Body blow.
Is Romney avoiding Obamacare to avoid having Obama bring up Romnycare?
Romney sez: smaller government. Yay.
Obama insists that Romney is just Bush III.
Maybe that will work.
Palladian, jealous you don't have one?
Romney is trying to make a case for what he will cut. His cuts probably don't add up to 1/10 of a percent of the federal budget. Complete BS.
Lol, Urkel's blame bush for a $1 trillion dollar deficit only to have him pile on $5.3 trillion in debt. idiot.
Methadras:
No, the Clinton tax rates were passed in 1993, by the Democratic congress that was replaced by Newt. Newt tried to cut them again but Clinton refused and threatened to veto, and did veto, tax cuts (other than a handful of targeted cuts that did little in terms of revenue loss.)
Mommy, Obama inhwhetted a deficit of won twiwwion.
Mitt sounds like he knows what he is talking about.
Obama is saying memorized talking points. I am impressed with who could be our first Morman-American President. That is unless you consider Bill Clinton to be our first Morman-American President.
Emil Blatz: LOL
Strange, I didn't like them much when I was young either, I far preferred the English Suites. Do you like Glenn Gould's recording of the French Suites?
Gould didn't strike me as good as this guy. Gould left them pretty much as I had remembered them as a kid.
this guy
They should debate.
Actually Obama reminds me of Algore's debating style.
Does anyone believe Obama has cut anything except some expensive party cakes?
I heard it. Just under his breath. Obama said "Fuck you, cracker."
Tyrone Slothrop said...
Romney sez: smaller government.
No he wants to increase the military costs more than any cuts that he has committed to.
These financial figures Obama keeps citing are mighty suspect. Reminds me of his double counting of his dip into Social Security to pay for Obamacare.
Urkel, again is looking for things to say. He's losing his place. Teleprompteritis!!!
It's another ten minute filibuster by Obama.
Oboring - was expecting more from the Prez.
Oh gawd that fake smile
That's the President you're talking about. Show some respect
Also: Raaacissst!!
(j/k - I know you're no racist)
Mommy, Womney's fwag is bigger.
WAH!!!!
Obama again with the spending=investments. We have always been at war with Eurasia.
The President just said Simpson-Bowles was the right approach to deficit reduction. He put the report in a drawer 5 minutes after it was released and hasn't proposed one part of it. What a hypocrite.
Obama is saying memorized talking points. I am impressed with who could be our first Morman-American President. That is unless you consider Bill Clinton to be our first Morman-American President.
I was going to say that Obama is our first Moron-American president, but sadly that title was already taken by the early 19th century.
Ohhhh,. Mitt just sounded like a couple of bad performance reviews I have gotten.
"You said you will......but you have...."
Romney won't commit to Simpson Bowles but complains that Obama hasn't.
Point Romney on deficit argument. Urkel is a fool. He doesn't know to stop digging.
Romney's doing well early.
Obama is a good debater. Don't underestimate him
He's very calm and focused.
I think he's telling some outright lies. He keeps repeating them with certainty.
That's tough to counter.
We're in the best of hands. The President doesn't understand that the economic response to changes in tax rates is dynamic. The President believes that the economy is static (zero sum), not dynamic. He doesn't understand that tax rate cuts lead to more economic activity and increased revenue to the government. The President believes that tax cuts have to be paid for with offsets elsewhere, that the reductions in deductions, exemptions, and credits have to fully offset the tax rate cut. Someone was sleeping in economics. Go Mitt.
I honestly think this is the first time Obama has heard that some small businesses are taxed as individuals.
Romney is running at the mouth.
The President just said Simpson-Bowles was the right approach to deficit reduction. He put the report in a drawer 5 minutes after it was released and hasn't proposed one part of it. What a hypocrite.
If you're going to lie, Lie Big.
Now Lehrer is cribbing for Obama, finishing his sentence for him.
Wow.. Romney just explained how to grow the economy!
Again O shows weakness "we've had this discussion before"... O is totally off his mark - getting frustrated now... Just throwing out $ and program names.
Is it me or is Moderator Jimmy prompting Obama? He's done it twice.
Was Leher always this terrible of a moderator? Jeeze.
Inga/Allie -
If you are watching the same show I am, Obama is the one on the right side.
Hope that clears things up for you.
Stuttering stammering. Corporate welfare. Jesus Christ, this lying asshole invented corporate welfare.
Obama attacks Big Oil. $4 billion in alleged subsidies.
Doesn't defined what those subsidies might be.
R&D, exploration? Who knows?
How wonderfully weird is that for Trump to be referred to as some kind of iconic figure by name in the Presidential debate.
When they say "taxpayer", they mean me personally. I asked them both not to use my name, and they have both been good about it so far.
John, is he the big bad black man?
Romney is running at the mouth.
You mean biblionaresmillionares is not running at the mouth?
Oh my god! Oh my god! A school with used textbooks!
Romney won't commit to any tax raise on the wealthiest under any circumstances. This is not a winning idea at the moment. We have a huge debt. We have to pay it off. Everybody is going to have to contribute but surely the biggest winners in the past should make a greater contribution to pay off the debt created in the past.
Oh noes, ten year old textbooks. Those poor teachers.
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