2012 Presidential Debates

[dazzledbylight]

that's sooooo good/Poignant! thanks!

 

[deep]

Romney / Ryan can win in November

note I wrote can, it is not a way long shot, as much as it was two weeks ago. If by some fluke, Ryan does well, anywhere near as well as Romney did against Obama in his debate this will move in that direction.

If I had placed a bet, I would have said the best Romney could have done was a slight win in his debate, something like 53% saying he won, not the 70% big win with momentum.

Looking at the so-called toss up states. Here is how Romney can win.

NC - very likely
VI - very possible
FL - possible - leaning likely
Colo - possible - maybe likely
OH - possible, at best moderately likely

 

[Irvine511]

To run the board like that, O would also have to do something notably stupid.

The economic argument just got harder, too. O can now say, "the economy is now better than it was when I took office" and M has to say, "you could have done better." That's a harder argument to make, like the one O had to make before, "it would have been even worse if we didn't do as I said."

What the debate did was give Romney a shot. Had he been bad, or had O been better, this might be almost sewn up.

 

[mikal]

This just in:

A new Rasmussen poll says that Romney leads Obama 100%-0% in Ohio and Florida.

 

[deep]

To run the board like that, O would also have to do something notably stupid.

The economic argument just got harder, too. O can now say, "the economy is now better than it was when I took office" and M has to say, "you could have done better." That's a harder argument to make, like the one O had to make before, "it would have been even worse if we didn't do as I said."

What the debate did was give Romney a shot. Had he been bad, or had O been better, this might be almost sewn up.

I don't disagree, that is why I think Ryan needs to add to the momentum

those are only 5, of the so-called 10 toss up states

I think Ohio is the firewall, the hardest one for Obama to lose,

good chance Romney wins the first 2, maybe 3

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Ryan being asked about some of his social stances could send the Romney campaign back to the pre-Debate land of having no shot.

Unless Baden goes and kicks a small child in the face or something, which is also very much possible.

 

[deep]

To run the board like that, O would also have to do something notably stupid.

The economic argument just got harder, too. O can now say, "the economy is now better than it was when I took office" and M has to say, "you could have done better." That's a harder argument to make, like the one O had to make before, "it would have been even worse if we didn't do as I said."

What the debate did was give Romney a shot. Had he been bad, or had O been better, this might be almost sewn up.

This just in:

A new Rasmussen poll says that Romney leads Obama 100%-0% in Ohio and Florida.

I don't know if you are nit picking the poll taker

but, I think it is kind of pointless, a bit like the GOP complaining about the last unemployment numbers

there is enough sourcing to support the numbers

RealClearPolitics - Election 2012 State Polls

 

[deep]

Ryan being asked about some of his social stances could send the Romney campaign back to the pre-Debate land of having no shot.

Unless Baden goes and kicks a small child in the face or something, which is also very much possible.

maybe Romney can school Ryan to make good eye contact, feign sincerity and find that inner thermostat and say what sounds moderate and reasonable, and if he gets something like a gotcha 47% question, do a Romney and say "I was just completely wrong."

example "Should women have the right to the same pay as men, do you support the Ledbetter law?"

answer, "Yes women should be paid the same for the same work. Some of us were concerned about frivolous lawsuits, that has not been the case. Ledbetter is working, I support it."

 

[Irvine511]

maybe Romney can school Ryan to make good eye contact, feign sincerity and find that inner thermostat and say what sounds moderate and reasonable, and if he gets something like a gotcha 47% question, do a Romney and say "I was just completely wrong."

example "Should women have the right to the same pay as men, do you support the Ledbetter law?"

answer, "Yes women should be paid the same for the same work. Some of us were concerned about frivolous lawsuits, that has not been the case. Ledbetter is working, I support it."

But how much centrism will the knuckle-draggers put up with before they stay home?

I mean, now, Obamacare is a model for the nation.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

The SNL version of the debate was actually funny.

 

[Jeannieco]

This is a few days old, but it's hilarious! The end too funny!

Jimmy Fallon Debates As Mitt Romney, Tells Jim Lehrer To 'Shut The F*** Up' (VIDEO)

 

[deep]

Romney is getting a little Reaganesque.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

But how much centrism will the knuckle-draggers put up with before they stay home?.

In this particular election? I would say more than usual.

 

[Irvine511]

truth.

Romney Proudly Explains How He's Turned Campaign Around
'I'm Lying More,' He Says
OCTOBER 8, 2012 | ISSUE 48•41 | MORE NEWS


BOSTON—For weeks many Beltway insiders had written off the Romney campaign as dead, saying the candidate had dug himself into too deep a hole with too little time to recover. However, with a month to go before ballots are cast, Romney has pulled even with President Obama, and the former Massachusetts governor credits his rejuvenated campaign to one, singular tactic: lying a lot.

“I’m lying a lot more, and my lies are far more egregious than they’ve ever been,” a smiling Romney told reporters while sitting in the back of his campaign bus, adding that when faced with a choice to either lie or tell the truth, he will more than likely lie. “It’s a strategy that works because when I lie, I’m essentially telling people what they want to hear, and people really like hearing things they want to hear. Even if they sort of know that nothing I’m saying is true.”

“It’s a freeing strategy, really, because I don’t have to worry about facts or being accurate or having any concrete positions of any kind,” Romney added.

Romney said he is telling at least 80 percent more lies now than he was two months ago. Buoyed by his strong debate performance, which by his own admission included 40 or 50 instances of lying in one 90-minute period, the candidate said he will continue to “just openly lie [his] ass off” until the Nov. 6 election.

Whether it’s a senior citizen, military family, working mother, businessman, or middle-class American, Romney said, he will lie to every single one of them as often as he can if that’s what it takes to win the presidency.

“The best part is, it’s really easy to lie,” said Romney, who added that voicing whatever untruths come into his mind at any given moment is an easy thing to do because all it requires is opening his mouth and talking. “For example, if someone accuses me of having a tax plan that makes no discernable sense, I just lie and say that I do have a tax plan that makes sense. I also say there is a study that backs up my plan. See that? Simple. None of it is remotely true, of course, but now we’re moving on to the next topic because people are usually too afraid to ask me straight up if I’m lying, because that is apparently not something you ask someone who is running for president.”

Moreover, Romney said, if anyone does accuse him of lying, he will simply say he is not lying, which he noted is just an extension of the overall strategy.

“So, if I’m talking to retirees,” Romney continued, “I lie and say I’ll fight tooth and nail to save Medicare, which causes them to applaud. On the other hand, if I’m talking to the party base, I lie and say we have to cut Medicare, which causes them to applaud. So, you see, my goal here is to get everyone applauding for me, because if everyone is clapping their hands, standing on their feet, and shouting my name, that means they like me and will vote for me.”

Romney’s campaign advisers said that they adopted the strategy of lying a lot after realizing several things: (1) Lying sounds good, especially when the truth sounds bad, (2) the American media doesn’t care if you lie, (3) the American people don’t care if you lie, and (4) it’s okay to lie if you are very, very desperate to become the president of the United States.

“If we’re going to be carried into the White House, it’s going to have to be on a wave of lies,” Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades said. “Most important, Mitt is comfortable when he is lying because then he doesn’t have to say anything bad. And in this last month it’s important that we just let Mitt be Mitt, whoever the hell that is.”

“It’s late in the game, but this campaign has finally found its groove,” Rhoades added. “And that groove is lying. Bald-faced, make-no-apologies, dirty, filthy lying.”

According to Romney, amidst all the lies, there is only one thing that remains true.

“I literally have no clue where I stand on any single issue at this point,” said Romney, adding that when it comes to women’s rights, gay rights, health care, the middle class, the economy, or the U.S. military, all he knows is how to lie about them. “I understand what other people want. And what I’ve learned, especially in the past week, is that in order to be a viable candidate for the White House, that’s all you really need to know.”

Following the interview, Romney told various reporters that, if elected, he would save the newspaper industry.

Romney Proudly Explains How He's Turned Campaign Around | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

 

[deep]

at the Real Clear Politics website

at the 'no toss up' states map they now have Romney within one or two states of winning this


http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ep...ctions_electoral_college_map_no_toss_ups.html

if that happens, on the list of people that contributed to that happening I would put Jon Stewart towards the top of the list.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

How is it Jon Stewart's fault?

This is a genuine Obama campaign ad. It's funny, but really? Seriously, come on. The real point is that PBS is a tiny fraction of our budget woes. And Mitt does need to leave Big Bird alone. I heart Big Bird. And Ernie, and Cookie Monster. Oscar the grouch, no. He's dispensable.

Big Bird - Obama for America TV Ad - YouTube

 

[PhilsFan]

I actually love that ad. We could use a little sarcasm and humor in politics.

 

[deep]

it's a silly ad and says nothing, during that same debate all of America heard reasonable Romney say we need regulation and he supports it.

Wall Street is not the problem. Most Americans don't believe that, big bird is not the problem. Government spending is part of the problem.

Showing a few crooks and calling them Wall Street just shows how out of touch some people are. Besides if you asked anyone who is more important to our financial security? Wall Street or Big Bird? What would the answer be?

 

[PhilsFan]

Wall Streets is not the problem?

 

[cobl04]

"Eye Of The Sparrow" — A Bad Lip Reading of the First 2012 Presidential Debate - YouTube

 

[deep]

October 9, 2012
Romney Pledges to Keep Tax Deductions for Mortgages
By TRIP GABRIEL and HELENE COOPER

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — Continuing to embrace a more moderate political persona, Mitt Romney offered assurances on Tuesday that he would protect tax deductions for the middle class on home mortgages and charitable donations.

He also said he had no plans to pursue new laws limiting abortion.

“There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda,” he told the editorial board of The Des Moines Register.

With new polling suggesting that he was closing the gap with President Obama in the crucial battleground of Ohio, Mr. Romney subtly distanced himself from earlier divisive statements as he sought to broaden his appeal, especially with women.

Why would anyone not want to give this guy a chance? He is so reasonable.

 

[PhilsFan]

This election has turned purely into a culture war, because no one actually has any idea what Mitt Romney's policies in office would be.

 

[BEAL]

John Kerry was destroyed by the Right for being a flip flopper, and now they have one that's an even bigger flop than him!!!!

 

[mikal]

John Kerry was destroyed by the Right for being a flip flopper, and now they have one that's an even bigger flop than him!!!!

yep. Hopefully Obama will really go on the aggressive in the next debate.

I remember the one thing that stuck with me in 2004 was within all of Bush's rambling, he called Kerry a flip flopper at least 15 times in the town hall debate.

Considering the obvious short attention span of our country (proven by the new polls after the first debate), I believe that if Obama says the word "Flip Flop" enough, he should secure the victory.

 

[Irvine511]

The problem, though, is tha Obama -- like all successful black men -- is keenly aware of the "angry black man" caricature and what that does to conservative whites. Kind of like how women must be "ladylike" at all times.

 

[mikal]

The problem, though, is tha Obama -- like all successful black men -- is keenly aware of the "angry black man" caricature and what that does to conservative whites. Kind of like how women must be "ladylike" at all times.

Good point, I wonder how subtle, sarcastic jabs would come across. Maybe say things like "Interesting position Mr. Romney. Definitely a different position than yesterday. What will your position be on _____ issue tomorrow?"

 

[iron yuppie]

This is one of the major complications of American political culture. People consistently decry the negativity and smear-campaigns of election season, but then when a candidate appears measured and unwilling to take jabs at the opponent, that candidate is labeled "soft" or "weak." I think that is a tightrope that every presidential candidate, Republican or Democrat, will find difficult to walk.

 

[iron yuppie]

“There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda,” he told the editorial board of The Des Moines Register.

The smartest thing that he could possibly do at this point in terms of his campaign viability is to back off the social issues. I have no idea whether he would hold to the above statement if elected, but he must have realized that he cannot possibly win while holding antagonistic attitudes toward women and many minority demographics.

 

[LemonMelon]

I'm hoping Paul Ryan is dumb/zealous enough to fall into that trap though. The margin for error is so small right now, he can easily drag Romney down by association.