The debate is today on a Wednesday, unlike the previous two which were on a Friday (in Australia, that is). Not to be missed.
As I mentioned on an earlier post, there are the things that must be done to fix the American economy and to restore some kind of order in America’s foreign relations. That is Romney’s speciality. There are also the things that can be said that will gather votes but if implemented would bring further ruin to the United States and to us along with them. That is Obama’s speciality. If the result of the American election interests you, it may all come down to this hour and a half. It will be Mitt Romney’s sound policy and good sense against Obama’s disastrous policy record and far left agenda. Obama also promises to be more aggressive. Mitt will just be Mitt.
The viewing details here in Australia:
Wednesday October 17: Presidential debate #2: Foreign and domestic policy
Watch the debate live on SBS ONE or streamed live on the SBS World News Australia website from 12pm ADST.
And the verdict is:
Can’t tell if it’s universal but it’s how I saw it. Obama was better and Mitt was the same and therefore by being the same was still ten streets better than the president.
David Burge @iowahawkblog
“cool”, “aloof”, “detached”, “cerebral”: polite terms for “oblivious.”
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 10:06 am
“Mitt will just be Mitt.”
Which Mitt?
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 10:08 am
Debate preview from moderator Candy Crowley of CNN:
In other words, you’ll get the instinctive CNN bias whether you like it or not:
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 10:17 am
President Equal Opportunity streeted Romney, left him floundering like a beached flathead in his beautifully toned wake. I saw that assessment on three US media networks, and on Oprah, at 5pm today.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
17 Oct 12 at 10:19 am
Please explain, Jarrah.
.
17 Oct 12 at 10:19 am
The morning news just reported that Obama is preparing for a “strong comeback”. Psychic journalist?
Harold
17 Oct 12 at 10:21 am
Front page of News.com.au “Obama set for “rocky” style comeback in debate”.
Harold
17 Oct 12 at 10:23 am
This is the pre-prepared JournoList narrative.
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 10:25 am
Yes, I saw that… pretty obvious that’s the story they’ll be going with.
Fleeced
17 Oct 12 at 10:30 am
dot 17 Oct 12 at 10:19 am:
Is Jarrah referencing the Taiwanese review of the first debate?
Steve D
17 Oct 12 at 10:30 am
Crowley is a lefty lib Tom but she’s a real old fashioned very experienced frontline journalist pro – she’s one of the least biased of the msmers – better even than King or Blitzer
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 10:30 am
Former White House green jobs czar Van Jones said Mitt Romney acted “kind of like a douche” during the first presidential debate, in a CNN panel Tuesday.
LOL Da Left in meltdown
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 10:36 am
Given he was flogged the first time you’d reckon “Obama set for Ass-Whoopin #2″ would be more likely.
Harold
17 Oct 12 at 10:36 am
If Romney was the douche, does that make Obama the turd sandwich?
Fleeced
17 Oct 12 at 10:40 am
“Please explain, Jarrah.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPgfzknYd20
“One was acting kind of like a douche, and one was acting kind of like a wimp”
https://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lisivw4Xa91qdq5iq.png
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 10:42 am
Building up expectations for Obama could go both ways. It all depends on his performance. If he doesn’t win, it makes the backlash stronger.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 10:53 am
Better still it’s on SBS HD as well, if you can get it. You can see the sweat oozing on HD!
johanna
17 Oct 12 at 10:59 am
Being a townhall debate, he’ll at least hold his own, I think… and that will be framed as a comeback
Fleeced
17 Oct 12 at 10:59 am
This is the actual address to find the debate on SBS
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1696461/Watch:-US-election-debate-live-stream-and-live-blog
It has started now.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 11:02 am
Early winner is Candy Crowley’s hair stylist. Good Lord.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:02 am
“Uncommitted” New York voters- that’s about D+10 right there.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 11:04 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPgfzknYd20
Ha! Mitt needs to get his facts straight.
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 11:04 am
Jason wossisname from American Pie with the first question.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:04 am
It’s also on Fox (Foxtel channel 604) and CNN (Foxtel 605).
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 11:04 am
That’s rather hypocritical of you monty, given all the lecturing from you. Very sexist as well.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:04 am
I was being nothing but complimentary, Gab. It is a fine hairstyle.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:06 am
LOL Obama on building jobs, hilarious. How many “green jobs” have been lost under Obama? How many manufacturing jobs have gone under Obama’s watch?
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:07 am
Yeah, Obama, I doubt that college student is studying for a factory job…
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 11:08 am
Here we go. Class warfare.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 11:11 am
Romney needs to remind Obama about the billions Obama spent on green companies that are now bankrupt.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:11 am
I can’t believe that ogabe is even mentioning renewballs
Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 11:13 am
Obama is looking strong. Romney just sighed before he started his response.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:15 am
Looking forward to a tour de force of extemporaneous rhetorical and intellectual brilliance from the Dalai Bama.
Seeing as that is what we we will be told happened.
James in Melbourne
17 Oct 12 at 11:15 am
Obumma didn’t answer the price of gas question
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:15 am
LOL
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:15 am
Keystone punch.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:17 am
Romney is looking strong. Obama tilted his head to the right before he started his response.
Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 11:17 am
Bambi starting to stumble now, Waxing vacuous.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:17 am
So Mitt’s cool with sacking teachers, firemen and police but is desperate to save coal jobs…
Mitt’s all over the shop.
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 11:18 am
Obumma still hasn’t answered the question
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:18 am
The old compassionate head tilt rides again?
Viva
17 Oct 12 at 11:18 am
“Obumma still hasn’t answered the question”
Yes he has and Mitt looks as rattled as hell.
And please; “Obumma”? Grow up.
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 11:20 am
Romney to obambi – “that wasn’t a question that was a statement”
Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 11:20 am
Romney thinks the President has a petrol price dial on his desk and can just choose what people pay at the pump?
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 11:21 am
“Good Lord” is your idea of a compliment about a woman’s hairstyle, monty? Misogynist.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:21 am
The crowd just went “ooooooh” at that Obama burn of Romney, lol.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:22 am
Obama:”What I want to do is create an economy that is strong”
What have you been doing for the last four years? Not creating jobs.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:22 am
This’ll end in fisticuffs.
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 11:22 am
“obambi”
Is this a serious political blog? You sound like a bunch of juvenile kiddies. What’s next? “Obumma’s gay!”
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 11:22 am
Where is the critique of renewables?
Viva
17 Oct 12 at 11:24 am
When did Romney make that statement Jarrah? What minute of the debate?
Token
17 Oct 12 at 11:24 am
It wouldn’t suprise me, lets ask reggie.
Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 11:24 am
Obama: The strong economy is why gas is up to $4.
LOL
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:25 am
“What have you been doing for the last four years? Not creating jobs.”
Que?
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 11:25 am
Mitten’s reeling off those pesky facts again…
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 11:26 am
Obumma debate strategy is clear: Lie thru his teeth.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:26 am
Mittens is going to exhume the middle classes.
Thanks, slow Joe!
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 11:27 am
Romney thinks everyone gets $25k in tax deductions? Talk about out of touch.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:27 am
Exactly, JK.
Rudiau
17 Oct 12 at 11:28 am
Romney is going to town with the “middle class has been buried” line. Biden is a goldmine.
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 11:28 am
“Obumma debate strategy is clear: Lie thru his teeth.”
Such insightful debate James K…
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 11:29 am
Wasn’t the lad from american pie condemned because he tweeted about Ryans wifes bleached asshole and other foul comments?
No bias there at all.
harrys on the boat
17 Oct 12 at 11:30 am
Romney’s tone very presidential, confident. Obama sounds like a screeching harpy. Has he been taking lessons from gillard?
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:32 am
I understand that’s what his plastic membership card to Man’s Country bath house in Chicago says.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
17 Oct 12 at 11:32 am
“cracking down on China when they cheat”
What the hell does that mean Mitt?
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 11:33 am
Obama doing the mock smile.
Rudiau
17 Oct 12 at 11:33 am
Obama’s reeling off that pesky math again…
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 11:33 am
LOL
Big Bird!!
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:34 am
FFS, obongo’s still including big bird in his blatherings!
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 11:34 am
“I understand that’s what his plastic membership card to Man’s Country bath house in Chicago says.”
Wow.
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 11:35 am
Big Bird… Seriously? Still?
This putz is leader of the Free World?
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 11:36 am
Yep – $5 trillion deficits – very pesky indeed…
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 11:36 am
good point Romney, look at Obamna’s record
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 11:36 am
Romney now playing into Obama’s hands, using his record at Bain to justify his math. But his Bain record is to cut jobs. Classic wedge between his financial acumen and his record on jobs.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:36 am
I thought it was a Town Hall not a Q&A from the ‘moderator’.
DaveF
17 Oct 12 at 11:37 am
Great question to Obama given the White House female staff get paid less than the males.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:37 am
Granny gets pulled out from under the bus – again.
Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 11:37 am
Obama’s waffling a bit IMO
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 11:38 am
anyone asked about Benghazi?
harrys on the boat
17 Oct 12 at 11:39 am
“Yep – $5 trillion deficits – very pesky indeed…”
Wrong math, but don’t worry, you’ll get it eventually.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 11:39 am
Only in America could someone called “Candy” be taken seriously as a moderator.
Both of them are so hyped up, you can tell that they just want to punch each other out.
Oh Lord, the misogynist question. Obama just said “women are increasingly the breadwinners in the family”. I’m guessing he’s not referring to single parent families where the fathers – and there are sometimes several – are nowhere to be seen.
johanna
17 Oct 12 at 11:40 am
“Gosh, can’t we find some women that are qualified”…
I don’t believe that for a second.
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 11:41 am
Why does the rhetorical range Obama shows when reading a teleprompter disappear when he is responding to questions?
Romney changes his tone in a much more effective way when talking to people. As if he is talking with, not at, the person asking the question.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 11:42 am
Romney – remind Obama how women get paid less than men in the white House.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:42 am
Ooh, contraceptive cover mentioned. I wonder how much this will run.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:43 am
LOL.
Glass ceiling question is an undecideds question now.
Romney killed it
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:43 am
Obama is pushing it hard, obviously thinks it’s a winner with women.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 11:44 am
Notice how Obama’s voice goes higher in tone whenever he lies.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:44 am
David Burge @iowahawkblog
Desperation® – the new scent from Barack Obama
Collapse
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:45 am
Unsighted, and no access to TV, I just took a bet for a cup of coffee that Romney wins. Fifteen minutes to coffee break, am I safe?
Jannie
17 Oct 12 at 11:45 am
Undecided voter – oh what utter bullshit.
Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 11:45 am
Romney’s price drifting out on Betfair. It’s back out to 3.00 from 2.95.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 11:46 am
David Burge @iowahawkblog
Unemployed men and women get equal pay. Thanks, Eye Candy!
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:46 am
Are you able to watch on this link?
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1696461/Watch:-US-election-debate-live-stream-and-live-blog
Token
17 Oct 12 at 11:47 am
dunno Jannie, the questions seem a bit skewed from what I’ve seen in the last 15 minutes
The current one is “How bad was George Bush?” (paraphrased)
DaveF
17 Oct 12 at 11:47 am
Oh, good! We’ve picked up a new feral troll gmail address. Wonder when this one was registered. This morning?
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 11:48 am
Governor Romney not a racist lilly-white liberal but….
Token
17 Oct 12 at 11:48 am
Governor Romney I’m not a racist lilly-white liberal but….
Token
17 Oct 12 at 11:49 am
Obama not making any sense.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 11:49 am
They are not very good at it.
Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 11:50 am
Wow Obama blamed Bush for the yearly trillion dollar deficits.
He must have borrowed one of Hillary’s balls.
DaveF
17 Oct 12 at 11:50 am
Obama did not answer the gender pay equality question either.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:50 am
Isn’t ‘feral troll’ a tautology?
Rococo Liberal
17 Oct 12 at 11:51 am
Obumma repeats the Romney jobs outsource lie.
He’s shameless
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:52 am
Question: why are things so costly?
Obama: I killed Bin Laden
He’s great
DaveF
17 Oct 12 at 11:52 am
Romney out to 3.15; Obama tightening to 1.45. Plenty of opportunity for the smart money.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 11:53 am
RL, most of them rock up pretending they’re not trolls. But this one has gone full retard from the first marshmellow grenade.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 11:53 am
Now the blame Bush is hammered when is Obumma gonna blame Hils?
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 11:54 am
Obama taking a leaf out of Gillard’s book of relentless negativity. He has nothing positive to run on.
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 11:55 am
Ooh Romney practised this one. Great answer. Well presented.
DaveF
17 Oct 12 at 11:55 am
Romney’s right to point to O’s record ‘not been able to do what he said he would do’
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 11:55 am
created and lost 5 m jobs – good one
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 11:56 am
Immigration: Romney told the Mexican girl “screw the illegals” to her face.
Ballsy.
DaveF
17 Oct 12 at 12:00 pm
Obama: big on dreams. Small on performance record.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:01 pm
Hahaha!!! Now he’s parrotting Romney. “We are a nation of immigrants”. Verbatim.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 12:02 pm
It’s not as if Romney had a hold of the Hispanic vote anyway. Might as well double down on whitey.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 12:02 pm
So they basically said exactly the same thing on immigration.
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 12:02 pm
David Burge @iowahawkblog
Moderator biased against Obama; allowing him to talk
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:03 pm
Romney already reminded us that Obama had control of both Houses and failed to do what he promised.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 12:03 pm
The Dream Act? hahahahahaha
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:03 pm
That’s Governor Romney, Ms “Undecided” Voter.
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 12:03 pm
Obama is not good when ad libbing.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:03 pm
Does the time limit only work for one person? Obama always takes a third minute. Romney finishes on time.
DaveF
17 Oct 12 at 12:03 pm
Shouldn’t you be at st****ront with that sort of shit talk, Monty?
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 12:04 pm
Obama always goes over budget, DaveF, if there was a budget.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:04 pm
So they basically said
exactly the sameprecisely a different thing on immigration.Nihilist #1 is a fuckwit
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:04 pm
Obama just lied about Arizona law on immigration. I’ve only just watched about 2min and within that time he lied, so you can just imagine how many other lies must have passed his lips in the last hour.
dover_beach
17 Oct 12 at 12:05 pm
Shouldn’t you be at high school with your regular sort of talk, Tom?
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 12:06 pm
Mitt’s now schooling him. Very funny.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 12:07 pm
With a “Hi Alan, I’m a Liberal voter, but……” audience – The American Pie twat……… give me a fucking break. Weak questions in Husseins favour and biased mods….. The Kenyan still can’t get in front??
harrys on the boat
17 Oct 12 at 12:07 pm
“you can just imagine how many other lies must have passed his lips in the last hour.”
They’re about even on my count. We’ll see what the fact-checkers say in the next 48 hours.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:07 pm
Obumma: “We’re a little of topic” after having been nailed.
lol
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:07 pm
Har har Obama making rich jokes.
Why is the Wsstern world in the hands of children?
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 12:07 pm
Yeah, everyone knows they moved that out of the Oval Office when Bush left.
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 12:08 pm
Romney just burnt Obama on Chinese investments. Also, I see that Obama is talking all over Romney and the moderator. He’s going Biden.
dover_beach
17 Oct 12 at 12:08 pm
Shouldn’t you be on a tread mill Monty losing some of that hideous fat?
harrys on the boat
17 Oct 12 at 12:08 pm
Uh oh….. Hils is about to get it…
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:09 pm
Immigration – People from Kenya can become President. What a great country.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:09 pm
question from a vet about Libya
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:09 pm
Good Libya question. Obama is avoiding answering it.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:10 pm
So far Obama is saying the exact opposite of what is being testified to about Benghazi.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:10 pm
is obama right on the facts?
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:10 pm
That answer on Libya does not make sense.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:10 pm
Good idea considering what a disgusting clusterfuck his administration made of it.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:11 pm
doesn’t sound right on the so far known facts
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:11 pm
Didn’t Obama fly off to Vegas a few minutes after he was informed about Benghazi?
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:11 pm
He said that when being briefed on the reaid he noted it was time to start the review of the incident.
That doesn’t make sense.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:12 pm
David Burge @iowahawkblog
“Fuck, I can’t believe we endorsed this guy” – Hugo Chavez and Honey Boo Boo
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:12 pm
“National security shouldn’t be a political issue… BTW I KILLED BIN LADEN, VOTE FOR ME!”
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 12:12 pm
Obumma: “when it cones to national security I mean what I say”
Translation: “Take it as read when it comes to everything else take as read that if my mouth is moving I’m probably lying”
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:12 pm
yep Token, Romney is handling the quest empathetically which Obama did not IMO
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:13 pm
David Burge @iowahawkblog
“Fuck, I can’t believe we endorsed this guy” – Hugo Chavez and Honey Boo Boo
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:13 pm
M0nty loathes white people.
How utterly bizarre from a whiter than white beta male living in pasty white Melbourne.
twostix
17 Oct 12 at 12:13 pm
Yes Gab, and Governor Romney nailed him on it.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 12:15 pm
Obama acted weak on this issue but is beefing it up now
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:15 pm
Romney should have creamed Obama on Benghazi. He let the dog eater off the hook.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:15 pm
twostix loathes white people, according to his own standards.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:15 pm
Which fact checkers?
twostix
17 Oct 12 at 12:16 pm
“Which fact checkers?”
All of them?
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:16 pm
Romney called up on his lie, LOL.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 12:16 pm
Man, Obama can lie. There should be a Nobel Prize for lying. Obama could use them as bookends/.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:16 pm
now the moderator is getting into the fight
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:16 pm
Wasn’t the instructions to the crowd not to get into partisan cheering? What happened there?
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:17 pm
Jarrah jumps the shark.
Again.
twostix
17 Oct 12 at 12:17 pm
Romney just lost the Benghazi part of the debate by being caught out lying. Heckuva job.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 12:17 pm
Guess it was just another Q and A moment Token.
Viva
17 Oct 12 at 12:18 pm
So you’ll read every “fact checking” website before determining who’s telling the truth.
OK.
twostix
17 Oct 12 at 12:18 pm
Gun control advocate asking a question… Definitely an undecided voter.
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 12:18 pm
Crowley fact checked in real time. The crowd loves it when politicians are called on their bulldust.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 12:19 pm
Good try M0nty but no….fail.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:19 pm
David Burge @iowahawkblog
“Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” now official presidential policy.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:19 pm
“So you’ll read every “fact checking” website before determining who’s telling the truth.”
No, we were talking about the number of lies told. Try to keep up.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:19 pm
Obama says he conforted the mother of a victim of gun crime. “We spent some time and we said a prayer”. Baarrrff. Before whose god?
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 12:20 pm
Don’t you patronise me, you stupid piece of crap.
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 12:20 pm
Is it me or has Obumma talked for longer so far in this debate?
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:20 pm
“Jarrah jumps the shark.”
twostix also loathes sharks, apparently.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:20 pm
Sharks are tasty.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 12:22 pm
well, I like to watch Romney more than Obama – does that count?
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:22 pm
In Mexico I presume.
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 12:22 pm
Obama’s sunk on firearm control now that Romney has brought up “Fast and Furious”.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 12:22 pm
Sanctimonious Jarrah again. Must be a day ending in ‘y’.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:22 pm
Great question, JamesK. Obama was way ahead in minutes spoken early, then the mod panicked and started consciously biasing to Romney, IMO.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 12:23 pm
Statement by the President on the Attack in Benghazi in the Rose Garden before fling to Las Vegas:
I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America’s commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives.
I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.
On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya’s transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.
The brave Americans we lost represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:23 pm
She was wrong. He never said Benghazi was a terror attack”. He made a very general statement: “No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation.”
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:24 pm
yep, she was wrong and mods should not get involved like that
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:25 pm
“Sanctimonious Jarrah again.”
Yes, of course. I repeat twostix’s words to humorous effect, but I’m the sanctimonious one. Gotcha.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:25 pm
Oh snap. Looks like those “undecided” voters should’ve held back on their applause.
Feral Abacus
17 Oct 12 at 12:25 pm
I’m calling this for Romney.
dd
17 Oct 12 at 12:26 pm
Is this debate filmed in the Q&A studio?
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:27 pm
Jarrah how the fuck can you be in the tank for Obumbles? A middle of the road, fiscal conservative like Willard should be right up your alley.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:28 pm
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:28 pm
dd he’s easy on the eye and I think Obama was short on facts or should I say loose with the facts
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:29 pm
Really? Romney wants to start a trade war with China?
Chris
17 Oct 12 at 12:29 pm
Leave him be he’s just giddy with excitement, today is the day that Obama Fights Back(tm).
twostix
17 Oct 12 at 12:30 pm
David Burge @iowahawkblog
Stephanie Cutter on the phone, ordering another semi load of turd polish
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:30 pm
At the 90-minute mark, clear win to the governor. Swingers are lapping up his experience and economic competence on jobs and growth, IMO.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 12:31 pm
Could you imagine an Australian leader saying “China is a currency manipulator”. We’re a doormat.
Harold
17 Oct 12 at 12:31 pm
C’mon obongo – say “you didn’t build that” – you know you want to!
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 12:31 pm
with all those jobs Obama claims he’s created it’s a wonder he doesn’t have all the babies working
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:31 pm
I love it when lefties think they know how international trade and commerce work.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 12:33 pm
oh well, I like Romney better, Obama still has that evangelistic style I don’t like AND Romney ‘Govt doesn’t create jobs’ good point
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:34 pm
Betfair Romney: 3.15 and Obama 1.47.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 12:34 pm
“Jarrah how the fuck can you be in the tank for Obumbles?”
I’m not. I just like giving you guys some perspective.
“A middle of the road, fiscal conservative like Willard should be right up your alley.”
Massachusetts Romney would have been close to an ideal candidate for me. But he flip-flopped his way across the political spectrum and back again, pandering to whoever was going to help him at the time, so who knows what he really thinks.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:34 pm
I reckon Obumma would have drawn this debate if his record didn’t proven him a shameless repetitive liar
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:35 pm
Looks like Obama replaced Kerry as his debate coach with Biden.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:35 pm
Do you want another four years of Obama-style government? That’s what it comes down to..
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:36 pm
Romney ‘we don’t have to settle for what we’re going through’ – great point
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:36 pm
Obumma is Biden’s Mini Me
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:37 pm
Did they flip a coin to see who got the last word?
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 12:37 pm
Obumma: “I believe I’m a conservative but…..”
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:37 pm
now obama doesn’t think Govt creates jobs when he’s been boasting about it all through this debate
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:37 pm
Oh here we go – sick bag time…
Bullshit.
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 12:38 pm
Tab.com.au was $2.75 Romney last night. Market suspended for the debate.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 12:38 pm
now we get the 47% Obama’s going to fight for them! great
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:39 pm
Moderator rushing off for dinner with christine nixon, right about now…
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 12:39 pm
47% reference in the final word, with no rebuttal. Great tactic by Obama. He won it pretty comprehensively.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 12:39 pm
Saving that one for last Val.
Viva
17 Oct 12 at 12:40 pm
The closing statements were very good, but my favourite part was in the middle of the debate when it looked like they might start slapping at each other South Korean parliament style.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:40 pm
How many minutes before this is SBS called for Obama?
10 seconds.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:40 pm
SBS “not an overwhelming win for Obama”.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:40 pm
slapping at each other South
Korean parliamentPark style.Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 12:41 pm
I think Romney did well, I liked that he kept pointing back to Obama’s record and Obama was a bit light on the facts IMV
val majkus
17 Oct 12 at 12:41 pm
Did you have to be a liberal Jew to ask a question tonight?
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:42 pm
Well the moderator won the debate and by default Obama.
Nanuestalker
17 Oct 12 at 12:43 pm
Hulme on Fox says Obama lifted his game, Romney was the same, Obama will be declared winner on most cards.
m0nty
17 Oct 12 at 12:44 pm
CNN – Focus group DID NOT like Obama’s 47% comment
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:44 pm
What about answering the question?
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:44 pm
Obama is really repetitive about his life story and discrimination of women, it all feels stale. But guess Americans go for it, but it feels old and useby date over to me.
candy
17 Oct 12 at 12:44 pm
Centrebet: Romney 3.10, Obama 1.36
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 12:44 pm
Taiwanese are the real bad mofos. The bin on the head is the best bit.
“Best Taiwanese Parliament fights of all time”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzVhf9VdK28
.
17 Oct 12 at 12:45 pm
What a country
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50XRz65GKwE
.
17 Oct 12 at 12:47 pm
Speech clock – Obama 44M, Romney 41M
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:48 pm
Sportsbet hasn’t updated yet, so is still at the pre-debate Romney 2.88, Obama 1.40
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 12:48 pm
Short of Obama shitting on the flag and fucking Andrew Sullivan live on stage at debate 3, it will be like that until polling day. There has been too much money wagered on Obama in the last 4 years.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 12:48 pm
I’ve missed it all (praise be to Allah the motivator for pursuit of capitalist profit activity, pieces be upon him) and just now scanned down the game day sports commentary here, too funny!
Alright Rabz, I trust your judgement – who should I put the rent money on, based on performance in this one race today?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
17 Oct 12 at 12:49 pm
Obama really looked very uncomfortable when Romney noted he has a blind trust with investments in the Caymans.
Grimace/Smile, closes eyes.
Obama has so many tells.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:49 pm
I scored the last third I saw a tie, same for the V-P debate. It was interesting to see the responses of the focus groups give that debate to Ryan generally. Will be interesting to see which they they fall this time.
dover_beach
17 Oct 12 at 12:49 pm
Whoever selected the questions pitched a softball to Obama regarding Benghazi. They asked something that was resolved last week instead of the hard questions. Romeny then missed the obvious follow up..
“If you declared Bengazi an act of terror the next day why was you UN Ambassador on all the Sunday news shows a week later claiming it was a bad review of a you tube video?”
The 47% kerfuffle is fairly meaningless in the US these days. Swing and a miss.
Zatara
17 Oct 12 at 12:49 pm
Trust the BBC flak to say that Obama has closed Benghazi as an issue; to me it was more that Romney didn’t want to call Obama a liar to his face.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 12:50 pm
ROMNEY: Just going to make a point. Any investments I have over the last eight years have been managed by a blind trust. And I understand they do include investments outside the United States, including in – in Chinese companies.
Mr. President, have you looked at your pension? Have you looked at your pension?
OBAMA: I’ve got to say…
ROMNEY: Mr. President, have you looked at your pension?
OBAMA: You know, I – I don’t look at my pension. It’s not as big as yours so it doesn’t take as long.
ROMNEY: Well, let me give you some advice.
OBAMA: I don’t check it that often.
ROMNEY: Let me give you some advice. Look at your pension. You also have investments in Chinese companies. You also have investments outside the United States. You also have investments through a Cayman’s trust.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:50 pm
Fact check in: Romney was correct about drilling on Federal Land, Obama was wrong.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:51 pm
Dickhead leftist drone Brian Thompson on SBS said the polls were swinging back to Obama before the debate and later in the same segment said that Obumma might stop the momentum in the polls which had been going to Romney recently.
What a fucktard
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 12:51 pm
Oooops, I intended to add Gab, who expresses her valued opinion in less – umm – brutally honest terms than the good Rabz.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
17 Oct 12 at 12:52 pm
Of course he was, Token. Of course he is, JamesK.
dover_beach
17 Oct 12 at 12:53 pm
Mick, thanks for the endorsement – but I’m afraid I might have to pass as I missed about 40 minutes (damn those crazy lunch digits!).
I’d still put some moolah on Mittens, though, especially with the odds now having lengthened.
$3.10 is better than $2.88…
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 12:54 pm
Hypocritical c**t, his “from tha projects” shtick is so callous and fabricated.
.
17 Oct 12 at 12:54 pm
Debate transcript on Fox
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:55 pm
OBAMA: “And what I want to do is build on the 5 million jobs that we’ve created over the last 30 months in the private sector alone.”
THE FACTS: As he has done before, Obama is cherry-picking his numbers to make them sound better than they really are. He ignores the fact that public-sector job losses have dragged down overall job creation. Also, he chooses just to mention the past 30 months. That ignores job losses during his presidency up until that point. According to the Labor Department, about 4.5 million total jobs have been created over the past 30 months. But some 4.3 million jobs were lost during the earlier months of his administration. At this point, Obama is a net job creator, but only marginally.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 12:55 pm
“drone Brian Thompson on SBS”
He’s really not cut out for political reporting. He does much better as a war correspondent.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:55 pm
Checked the transcript Crowley.
I wonder if any US dictionaries will rush to redefine ‘outrageous attack’ to mean ‘planned terrorist attack that is not a spontaneous protest’.
Luke
17 Oct 12 at 12:56 pm
“He ignores the fact that public-sector job losses have dragged down overall job creation.”
I don’t think Republicans want to highlight that fact, it goes against the ‘socialist’ narrative.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 12:58 pm
CBS: 37% Obama 30$% Romney 33% Tie.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 12:58 pm
Romney’s odds still drifting out on Betfair: now 3.30, but volume offered is small.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 1:00 pm
David Burge @iowahawkblog
Obama did fine, as long as people remember that Romney is the incumbent.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 1:00 pm
Actually, the Republicans would love to talk about that one. How governments on the local, State and national levels are so broke from ridiculous socialist overspending that they are having to fire workers.
Zatara
17 Oct 12 at 1:01 pm
Nice photo on Drudge
Token
17 Oct 12 at 1:01 pm
Obama’s a lightweight. He was on the backfoot for most of the debate attempting to defend his abysmal record over the last four years.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 1:04 pm
Given that the debate was held in a Democrat stronghold, Obama didn’t achieve anything more than arresting his slide. Momentum still lies with Romney, although Obama did enough for his backers to return to the market.
Cold-Hands
17 Oct 12 at 1:05 pm
And thats why the moderator played fact checker when it came to Romney’s statements about Obama’s handling of Libya and further stopped Romney discussing Fast & Furious as being not relevant and then let Obama centre his reply of every topic under the sun.
Nanuestalker
17 Oct 12 at 1:10 pm
Well I guess Obama has worked his magic but I don’t know, it’s all stale.
candy
17 Oct 12 at 1:11 pm
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 1:12 pm
Nanuestalker, she also quickly rushed things along when Romney busted Obama on his pension accounts being in Chinese companies and through Cayman brokers.
Zatara
17 Oct 12 at 1:12 pm
“Nihilist #1 is a fuckwit”
Awesome comeback JamesK
Catallaxy Files; The Australian political blog populated by potty mouthed little boys.
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 1:17 pm
“Actually, the Republicans would love to talk about that one. How governments on the local, State and national levels are so broke from ridiculous socialist overspending that they are having to fire workers.”
So not only are Obama and the Democratic Party socialist, but also all the local and state governments – plenty of which are Republican – are also socialist. Also, the default Republican position of firing public-sector workers is now something they should hold against Obama?
You’re not making much sense, Zatara.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 1:17 pm
“Catallaxy Files; The Australian political blog populated by potty mouthed little boys.”
Most of the actual writers for the blog are serious, informed and intelligent. If you don’t like robust language, don’t venture into the comments.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 1:19 pm
No, Candy – the class war stuff doesn’t play well to a general US audience.
No viral zingers or anything noteable for Obama = he lost.
That stuff’s for wacko Democrat rallies.
He had to uncomplicatedly dominate and shine.
He failed.
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 1:20 pm
This is what sounded weird to me:
The answer sounds like a review, not a reaction as the event was occuring.
If you are reacting in real time wouldn’t you say you were sending in a squad by the fastest jet/helecopter?
Token
17 Oct 12 at 1:20 pm
On Fox an Nevada audience who largely voted for Obama in 2008 now say they will vote for Romney following the debate.
Viva
17 Oct 12 at 1:22 pm
Obama was better in this debate and Romney was much the same as before. I would give the debate to Obama only because in most cases he managed to avoid answering the questions.
Now we have Obambots who think their Messiah has risen and Chris Matthews is back of the ledge LOL!
Nanuestalker
17 Oct 12 at 1:23 pm
News @CBSNews
RT @CharlieKayeCBS: In the @CBSNews Instant Poll, 65% say Romney won on the issue of the economy. 34% say Obama won on the economy.
Expand
News @CBSNews
BREAKING: CBS NEWS INSTANT POLL Who won debate? OBAMA: 37%; ROMNEY: 30%, TIE: 33% (Margin of Error: 4 pts.)
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 1:23 pm
“Most of the actual writers for the blog are serious, informed and intelligent”
Would you include JamesK in that grouping?
Nihilist #1
17 Oct 12 at 1:25 pm
And you are adding two and two and getting 6 Jarrah.
Read it again. I said ridiculous socialist policies drove governments broke.
Find me a city or state with a Republican Mayor or Governor that is in danger of bankruptcy. Meanwhile I’ll toss in California in general and most of it’s major cities, all with democrat govts. Or Wisconsin before they elected Walker who is doing the tough love thing to get the back on their feet financially.
Your claiming a default position for the Republicans doesn’t make it so anywhere but in your mind.
Don’t make ridiculous blanket statements trying to twist words mate. You just aren’t that good at it.
Zatara
17 Oct 12 at 1:26 pm
Nihilist – FFS put a bit of effort into trolling, your material to date is of inferior quality.
Carpe Jugulum
17 Oct 12 at 1:27 pm
I’d certainly back Nihilist’s right to lob here and have a crack at Republicans. He didn’t abuse anyone. This site has to be careful not to become dogmatically conservative.
I say that as someone who is a (albeit misnamed) ‘conservative’ myself.
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 1:27 pm
Did debate #2 swing undecided voters back to Obama? I don’t think so. This wasn’t a debate about ideology for politics boffins like us. The question American viewers were asking was whether the challenger would be better for the jobs market than the incumbent. On that basis, Romney engenders trust.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 1:28 pm
LOL
Versus no comeback from Nihilist #1 to the nonsensical lie I nailed him on.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 1:29 pm
“Would you include JamesK in that grouping?”
JamesK doesn’t write for the blog. He’s a commenter.
I’m talking about Sinclair, Julie, Alan, Judith, even Rafe. It’s just a pity there’s been a recent takeover by Steve.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 1:30 pm
You pathetic dim-witted troll.
JamesK is a commenter, not a contributor. The writers for this blog are on the front page.
Fuck off back to The Dumb where you belong.
Huckleberry Chunkwot
17 Oct 12 at 1:31 pm
The winner of the debate will be he who didn’t lie, or lied the least. And that won’t be known until the Fact Check Wars are settled.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 1:32 pm
“I said ridiculous socialist policies drove governments broke.”
Yes. That was your first bizarre statement, as yet unsubstantiated, and it’s quite amusing that you’ve followed up with:
“Don’t make ridiculous blanket statements”
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 1:33 pm
Undecided voters in Frank Luntz focus group lean strongly toward Romney; Luntz: ‘This is as significant as Denver’
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 1:34 pm
Romney won it. Obama told lies, refused to answer questions and heckled Romney from behind his back. That hand held microphone came in handy – Obama held it low and pointed it at the floor whenever he did a heckle. I wonder who decided to use them. I noticed Romney used Biden’s line of “the middle class have been buried over the last four years”. Said it a few times.
Keith
17 Oct 12 at 1:34 pm
It appears from the Luntz focus group that most independent voters correctly thought Obumma lied to them
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 1:36 pm
I agree, but Romney needs the next debate to close the deal. He wasn’t good enough tonight and was beaten by the moderator.
Nanuestalker
17 Oct 12 at 1:36 pm
Disappointed Obama didn’t break into his faux Southern drawl.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 1:36 pm
“The winner of the debate will be he who didn’t lie, or lied the least.”
No, that was the desperate hope of Democrats and their supporters after the first debate. They thought exposing Romney’s lies and misleading statements would change how people perceived the debate. It didn’t work, it never could.
This debate, like all others, is more about performance than substance. Who spoke well, who was convincing, who gave the right impression to the most people? That’s how you decide the winner.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 1:37 pm
This Ann Althouse observation seems important and telling:
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 1:38 pm
Mitt Romney Wins Debate on Smooth Presidential Performance, Obama’s Ignorance
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 1:38 pm
Chris Matthews MSNC: Paul Ryan’s Abortion Stance Is Almost Like ‘Sharia’
Chris Matthews kicks off debate night by turning the rhetoric up to 10 even before the vent starts.
In a discussion about abortion, Matthews likens Paul Ryan’s abortion stance to ‘Sharia’ law.
The comment comes at 1:05
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 1:39 pm
My favorite part of the debate was when Obama started crying about being offended. Four Americans lose their lives and Obama is offended that people hold him accountable.
Nanuestalker
17 Oct 12 at 1:41 pm
That seals it, another 2k on Romney.
The firearm owning population of the US is laughing, Oby seriously believes that “assault weapons” in the legislation are automatic weapons that are street legal in the US and are on the streets in the form of “assault rifles”. Oh my.
“Only” the 47% of mendicants and govt employees want another 4 years like the last of ‘entitlements til we break’.
The US always got lucky in crisis past, they’ll want to call all their markers with god in on this one.
Alfonso
17 Oct 12 at 1:41 pm
Obama had to ensure Romney lost in an ‘OMG! – I can’t believe we gave this doofus a second look after the first debate’ kind of way.
That was never going to happen – and didn’t.
Obama doesn’t have that sort of intellectual firepower.
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 1:41 pm
It’s the economy stupid. That’s huge for Romney, probably as big as his pension.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 1:42 pm
Romney did great, i especially liked him talking about his business experience and experience as governor and the Games in balancing the budget.
And Obama blaming poor Hilary but trying not to, for the security breakdown in the terrorist attack, that didn’t go well for him.
candy
17 Oct 12 at 1:42 pm
Karma @Karmaa_Rose
How could Obama have said it was terror on the day after, when Biden just told us that they didn’t know? 2 for 1 liar trap! #tcot
Rudiau
17 Oct 12 at 1:43 pm
Obama:
Nuff said.
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 1:44 pm
Politico’s Mike Allen Fact Checks “Acts Of Terror” Comment.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 1:47 pm
As does Twitchy
Nanuestalker
17 Oct 12 at 1:49 pm
I listened to the majority of the debate on the wireless and you could tell that Romney was far more handsome… and probably packing some trouser heat.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 1:51 pm
“So not only are Obama and the Democratic Party socialist, but also all the local and state governments – plenty of which are Republican – are also socialist.”
I’ll give you a hint @Jurrah – if the Federal government spends a lot of money on its own programs, then it has less money to provide to states.
If the states receive less money then they have to cut back on staff.
Sorry to ruin your rant with logic and facts…
scotty
17 Oct 12 at 1:51 pm
Remember how they all trotted along to the UN to demand no one globally should insult the Prophet because of all the protests that started with Benghazi and the youtube film, as obama stated then?
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 1:55 pm
“If the states receive less money then they have to cut back on staff”
Simplistic, but let’s go with it. How is this different to the default Republican view? Why would Republicans want to tie Obama to job losses they advocate?
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 1:55 pm
“They thought exposing Romney’s lies and misleading statements would change how people perceived the debate. It didn’t work, it never could.”
@Jarrah – you mean they thought if they told the world Romney was lying they could change how people perceived the first debate.
Obama got belted in the first debate. Unable to accept that the great orator was beaten in a fair fight his team assumed Romney must have cheated to win.
Not making calls on the second debate, as much as I respect my fellow cat commentators, I’ll watch it when I get home and judge for myself…
scotty
17 Oct 12 at 1:59 pm
Luntz Focus Group Of Mostly Former Obama Voters Switch To Romney
I have to say I’m really not sure these were “undecideds”.
Or more correctly these “undecideds” were about the mirror image opposite of the “undecideds” in New York at the debate
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 2:03 pm
The moderator Crowley, who interjected herself into the debate to defend Obama, just admitted she was wrong on the facts.
Zatara
17 Oct 12 at 2:03 pm
Crowley the adjudicator. Who was the moderator?
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 2:05 pm
“Simplistic, but let’s go with it. How is this different to the default Republican view? Why would Republicans want to tie Obama to job losses they advocate?”
I went with simple because your comment showed no understanding of the difference between federal and state funding.
Romney proposes to get rid of Obamacare, and replace it with a health care plan that is state based.
So he is redirecting federal money to the states – ie he is increasing funding to states, not cutting it. A wider health care plan will generally mean more public jobs (not necessarily an optimal outcome in my book…).
Not sure what you mean by “default” republican position – sounds like you are putting words in their mouth to me
scotty
17 Oct 12 at 2:07 pm
*sigh* In headline, love media “narrowly” calls it for Obama.
http://www.news.com.au/world/rumble-in-the-town-hall/story-fndir2ev-1226497423984
Why is the coverage of American politics in Australia so abysmal?
Oh come on
17 Oct 12 at 2:07 pm
About those undecided, for both sides:
Token
17 Oct 12 at 2:08 pm
“Why is the coverage of American politics in Australia so abysmal?”
Is their coverage of Australian politics any better?
scotty
17 Oct 12 at 2:10 pm
Candy Crowley: Romney Was Actually Right On Libya
CANDY CROWLEY, debate moderator, after the debate: You know, again, I heard the president’s speech at the time. I sort of reread a lot of stuff about Libya because I knew we’d probably get a Libya question, so I kind of wanted to be up on it. So we knew that the president had said, you know, ‘these acts of terror won’t stand,’ or whatever the whole quote was.
I think actually, you know, because right after that, I did turn to Romney and said you were totally correct but they spent two weeks telling us that this was about a tape and that there was this riot outside of the Benghazi consulate, which there wasn’t. So he was right in the main, I just think that he picked the wrong word.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 2:13 pm
JamesK is very informed and helpful on many things, especially recently on the statistical and sampling detail of the polling techniques used in the US campaign.
He’s also a bit of a sweetie.
Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.
17 Oct 12 at 2:15 pm
Transcript of the babysitter Crowley covering for the golden child:
Token
17 Oct 12 at 2:17 pm
“I went with simple because your comment showed no understanding of the difference between federal and state funding.”
Actually, you seem to think states get all their funding from the federal government, and that there’s a set amount of money for the federal government to spend (which, if true, would mean no deficits ever). So it’s not me whose understanding is limited.
“Not sure what you mean by “default” republican position”
You cannot be serious. Name one Republican who wants to increase public-sector jobs. Did you even pay attention during their primaries? They were arguing over who was going to cut more! Reducing the size of government is the default position of Republicans. You can’t possibly argue I’m putting words in their mouths.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 2:17 pm
Another lie by Obama:
Token
17 Oct 12 at 2:19 pm
You have to love these “undecided voter” debates with Leftist moderators. The only thing the audience were undecided about was whether to vote for Democrats or the Communist Party USA. And you could have put THR in the moderator chair and got the same effect. Still, Obama did not win this and his campaign remains where it is. Behind.
Fisky
17 Oct 12 at 2:19 pm
No candist or miscandynistic language please!
blogstrop
17 Oct 12 at 2:20 pm
Was “Undecided” Questioner Catherine Fenton Former Media Coordinator of CodePink Long Island?
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 2:22 pm
Chris Matthews kicks off debate night by turning the rhetoric up to 10 even before the vent starts.
Well call that eleventy around here.
The moderator Crowley, who interjected herself into the debate to defend Obama, just admitted she was wrong on the facts.
She should never have interjected precisely because of the possibility of being wrong. She needs to apologise, and this needs to lead all news bulletins the following day.
dover_beach
17 Oct 12 at 2:23 pm
Ari Fleischer @AriFleischer
In 3 debates, Ds have gotten a total of 8 minutes, 52 seconds more time. Each debate has given Ds more time. Needs 2b fixed.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 2:25 pm
Which meaning of the words are you talking about?
The real meaning or the one the PM & left just made up to cover up defending some of the most offensive anti-Candy tweets ever heard.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 2:26 pm
Thanx Lizzie!
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 2:27 pm
The Obama campaign tried – unsuccessfully – over and over to cover-up the fact that they originally lied by saying the cause for the Benghazi attack was the stupid Youtube video.
Check-out the CNN moderator helping Obama spin-away the Bengazhi debacle (from the transcript):
The truth: in his speech the day after the attack Obama did mention – once – the word “terror”, but undeniably it was not in direct reference to the Benghazi, and this attack was blamed by the Obama admin on the Youtube video.
Unbelievable.
(She later admitted as much.)
roger
17 Oct 12 at 2:31 pm
CNN: did Obama offer a clear plan for solving the nation’s problems? 38% said yes. But 61% said no.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 2:33 pm
Another collective of hot leftist wymminses/sarc off/
Rabz
17 Oct 12 at 2:36 pm
Token
17 Oct 12 at 2:43 pm
Jarrah, do you have to make a total fool of yourself?
I can cite any number of examples to disprove this, including Governor and later President Reagan.
Will
17 Oct 12 at 2:43 pm
Romney won on everything, but the affirmative action kid didn’t shout Allahu Akbhar so he’ll be given the win.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 2:46 pm
“Actually, you seem to think states get all their funding from the federal government”
@Jarrah you are most definitely putting false words in my mouth.
Your original post asked how Obama could be blamed for states cutting back staff – I pointed out one way Obama could be responsible is through the cutbacks in Federal to state funding.
At no time did I say or imply ALL state cutbacks were because of Obama – I was merely answering YOUR question.
“You cannot be serious. Name one Republican who wants to increase public-sector jobs. Did you even pay attention during their primaries?”
Did you understand that those in the primaries were referring solely to the federal budget? – ie *federal* public sector jobs.
Your question was regarding the link between the federal government and the number of *state* public servants.
Giving more funding/power/responsibility to the states means less Federal public servants, more state public servants.
Besides there is only 1 republican who can be President of the US at the next election, I suggest you focus on him. As I said, the shift in health funding he has been advocating would usually lead to less Federal and more State public servants.
scotty
17 Oct 12 at 2:48 pm
Wow, Token. It seems the focus groups are breaking Romney again. That CNN poll is devastating for the Dems.
dover_beach
17 Oct 12 at 2:49 pm
Obama: hey, I got Osama and I got Hillary, too. Dammit, who did Romney ever kill, huh?
Crowley: yeah, and that’s even before we get to ‘fast and furious’, so there Mr ‘I know how to fix teh economy’ Romney
larrikin
17 Oct 12 at 2:56 pm
That’s why the ditherers will break 100% Romney’s way on November 6.
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 2:57 pm
Not sure if Fenton is the same Fenton, but she had “planted question” written all over her. Great way for Obambi to get to spin his mummy’s sob-story for those precious few minutes.
perturbed
17 Oct 12 at 2:57 pm
“I can cite any number of examples to disprove this, including Governor and later President Reagan.”
I said default position, not universal unbreakable law followed slavishly by every Republican in the last 150 years.
And I’m fairly certain Republicans will not want anyone to point out that Obama has fewer federal employees than Reagan. That would definitely put a crimp in the narrative!
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 3:00 pm
M0ntys masturbation moment has fallen flat now Crowley admits she got it wrong.
harrys on the boat
17 Oct 12 at 3:07 pm
“Your original post asked how Obama could be blamed for states cutting back staff”
No, my original post stated that lower numbers of government employees doesn’t fit with the Republican portrayal of Obama. The first question I asked was to Zatara, on why Republicans would want to advertise that Obama is doing what they want to do.
No-one has answered that question.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 3:08 pm
FACT CHECK: Romney right that Obama made major cuts to oil permits both off-shore and on-shore
62% cut in offshore permits
1/3rd cut in onshore federal lands
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 3:11 pm
Glad to see Romney & Ryan have finally released finer details of their tax plan.
Interesting reading
Rex
17 Oct 12 at 3:11 pm
I’d like to see some fact checking done on Obama’s claims…or would that be racist?
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 3:15 pm
Funny link Rex, I’ll score that.
Token
17 Oct 12 at 3:16 pm
They really are eloquent:
Token
17 Oct 12 at 3:22 pm
“I said default position, not universal unbreakable law followed slavishly by every Republican in the last 150 years.”
@Jarrah, perhaps you should re-read you own words:
“You cannot be serious. Name one Republican who wants to increase public-sector jobs…They were arguing over who was going to cut more!”
So now not one exception is somehow not universal? Better get the dictionary changed pronto…
“And I’m fairly certain Republicans will not want anyone to point out that Obama has fewer federal employees than Reagan.”
Abe Lincoln had less than both of them LOL
The relevant question is – has Obama increased the number of federal public servants during *his* term (and hence is he more likely to increase them further in his next term)?
So compare numbers under Obama with those of his predecessor Bush Jr, and you might be approaching relevance…
scotty
17 Oct 12 at 3:29 pm
Interesting to hear Romney talk of his use of a quota system for women as Governor. Good old Mittens always taking a bob each way.
Rex
17 Oct 12 at 3:34 pm
Just get used to calling him: Mr President.
dover_beach
17 Oct 12 at 3:39 pm
“No, my original post stated that lower numbers of government employees doesn’t fit with the Republican portrayal of Obama. The first question I asked was to Zatara, on why Republicans would want to advertise that Obama is doing what they want to do.
No-one has answered that question.”
Please point out where Romney has said he wants to cut back state funding and do an awful job on the economy to the point where the states have to cut back on employees.
BTW yes Obama has created jobs, unfortunately more have been lost than he has made – so spare us the 1 sided “job creation” graphs, unless you also include the job losses as well.
Anyhow, enough troll feeding for one afternoon…
scotty
17 Oct 12 at 3:45 pm
Total disaster for Soetoro.
C.L.
17 Oct 12 at 3:47 pm
Er, that’s not a quota “system”, he wasn’t forced to do it he chose to.
I’m surprised he hasn’t been demonised for his sexist, patronising, rank discrimination.
Oh that’s right, choosing to hire people purely based on their gender, colour and religion is most excellent when it’s for the lefts favoured groups.
twostix
17 Oct 12 at 3:51 pm
The dumb left zombie bitch brigade has started a Facebook page — “Binders full of women”:
Tom
17 Oct 12 at 4:18 pm
Hahaha… I just watched that Fox Focus group (added in update to OP, for those that haven’t noticed), and it was funny that the 2 Dems who spoke take the Julia route. Romney, like Abbott, is apparently anti-women.
The left ALWAYS play the victim card.
Fleeced
17 Oct 12 at 4:20 pm
I watched this today, and have been considering it.
What did the Preshizzle (Paco™) need to do?
Mostly, he needed to restore his godhood as anointed by MSM and the hopey-changy-commie-crew.
fail on that score. Complete fail.
And only this would have restored the inevitability of a two-term preshizz(Paco™).
If he could not restore his godhood, then the very least he had to do was to belt 36 runs an over. he had to completely dominate Romney in all respects, and emerge as the better politician with the better plan.
Complete victory or nothing mattered. Note that well, anything less than overwhelming and obvious victory is a defeat, especially for an ex-God.
But he emerged at the absolute best the media spinners and liars and partisans can manage as a draw.
Not.
Good.God. Enough. Not by a long chalk, so now he’s just a man, and his record is all he has to save him. That, and cheating. The record’s not going to save him, so he only has the voting dead left now.Mk50 of Brisbane
17 Oct 12 at 4:29 pm
I actually did expect Obama to win this one, he was caught napping on the first whereas Romney came out all guns firing. Its only natural that Obama would use the interim to study Romneys methods and adapt to them whereas Romney could have been lulled into a false sense of security.
After all:
“You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
Jeremiah
17 Oct 12 at 4:33 pm
So what what’s Obumma’s excuse this time Jeremiah?
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 4:37 pm
Come on, which one of you boys haven’t wanted a binder full of women? Hmm?
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 4:41 pm
Jeremiah, I throw to the always excellent Michael Barone for my response:
Token
17 Oct 12 at 4:44 pm
I suppose if you allow plural marriage then you need a system to keep a track of them all.
Binders seem like a good idea
Rex
17 Oct 12 at 4:49 pm
Well thats what I expected anyway. I haven’t seen the debate, just saw the BBC summary on the morning news over breakfast so can’t give my own opinion. BBC and Bolta seem to be saying that Obama won by a small margin but some posts above seem to be quoting some different figures?
Too close to call?
Jeremiah
17 Oct 12 at 4:49 pm
Bit of a nasty piece of work aren’t you Rex. No humour at all.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 4:53 pm
“Please point out where Romney has said he wants to cut back state funding and do an awful job on the economy to the point where the states have to cut back on employees.”
Dude, you’re all over the shop. If you’re so keen on answering questions, answer the ones asked, not ones you make up on the run.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 4:53 pm
I banned or something?
Last 2 comments never got up.
Alfonso
17 Oct 12 at 4:54 pm
“Last 2 comments never got up.”
Did you click Submit, have the page update and take you to the top, and when you scrolled down your comment was gone? If so, that’s a WordPress error, nothing to do with admins.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 4:57 pm
and again.
ok.
Alfonso
17 Oct 12 at 4:57 pm
I think Romney won hands down if you listen to the substance of the debate. It was an acrimonious exchange, and while Obama was more energised this time, I don’t think it did him too many favours. At least this time he remembered a few more lies he could be caught out on in the post mortems.
Yes he had a gotcha moment with the 47%, but what did that actually achieve about his economic policies, his ideas about job creation. A big fat nothing.
I thought the questions undoubtedly had a left bias as did the moderator Crowley. Mitt kept his cool and scored a good number of points when he wasn’t rudely interrupted.
The doozy of course was his outright lie about Benghazi. I really don’t think Romney could believe his ears when the leader of the Western world told an outright lie to billions of people. He asked him to repeat it for the record. Pissing off the intelligence community like this can’t have a good ending for Obama. My gut feeling is we haven’t heard the last of it.
Anyway, for my vote Romney 2-0.
Oblique
17 Oct 12 at 4:58 pm
Wrong, Jarrah.
Posting in exactly the same manner i always have.
Alfonso
17 Oct 12 at 4:59 pm
Best spin of the day, so far:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Gab
17 Oct 12 at 5:01 pm
I did see that the moderator also harpooned Romney about the Libya issue even though she was clearly wrong about it. That clip is going to play out continuously on social media sites.
There was a really good quote after the first debate about how the battle tends to continue long after the debate itself actually ends and it plays out on social media etc, so you really need to pause and wait a few days to absorb the full impact of the debate.
Jeremiah
17 Oct 12 at 5:03 pm
Jeremiah,
When Crawley dipped her oar in to spare the honour of The Most Expressive Teleprompter Reader in the Whole Wide World, he let it go.
He owns the claim now even as Crawley has disowned it.
Aqualung
17 Oct 12 at 5:11 pm
“Posting in exactly the same manner i always have.”
Yes, I assumed that, which is why I was asking about what happens after you post.
Jarrah
17 Oct 12 at 5:15 pm
On reflection, I think this was a draw, in large part due to the moderator, who
* gave Obama more floor time
* repeatedly interrupted Romney
* ambushed him in the middle of what Althouse described as his “most dramatic moment”
* selected all the questions, which tended to favour Obama.
Obama did better but he had assistance,and even with Crowley helping him out, couldn’t seal it.
dd
17 Oct 12 at 6:45 pm
The debate resembled a Townhall Meeting in the same way a Whopper from a drive-thru resembles what’s shown on the ads.
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 6:49 pm
in short, Crowley helped Obama salvage the debate.
It’s interesting that although “who won the debate” questions produce a draw, on any given issue, viewers rate Romney ahead; and the swing-vote panels swung towards Romney.
Still, we took the previous “who won” polls (which found Romney and Ryan as the victors) at face value and should do the same with the polls in this instance, in which they found the debate to be a draw. The voting polls over the next few days will tell the real story.
dd
17 Oct 12 at 6:50 pm
Gab:
Good God, Gab! Do you think me mad? Tough enough keeping marriage with one sorted out, steady and stable. More than one….!
No. Just no.
Mk50 of Brisbane
17 Oct 12 at 6:53 pm
I agree with CL.
dd
17 Oct 12 at 6:54 pm
It’s like if Usain Bolt races Oscar Pistorius. We give the cripple the biggest round of applause because he finished the race. Even though Bolt beat him by 30 metres while making love to the Swedish handball team…
Infidel Tiger
17 Oct 12 at 6:55 pm
The debate will cause no end of joy to Obama’s cheersquad and they will of course overshoot the mark in terms of their analysis of how much impact it’s going to have on the race. This is a good thing for Romney. Let them overestimate their chances.
The independents won’t be nearly as impressed by MkII “Fiery Obama” as his supporters are. The drift towards Romney, whose demeanour and the content of his answers remained mostly unchanged from the first debate, will continue.
Oh come on
17 Oct 12 at 7:05 pm
I defended Candy Crowley earlier in the thread.
I was wrong.
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 7:08 pm
You still have the hots for her, James. Rowr
Oh come on
17 Oct 12 at 7:09 pm
+1
Some of them keep us on our toes.
Jeremiah
17 Oct 12 at 7:15 pm
Three problems for Obumma follow or increase from this debate as far as I can see.
1. Romney hammered Obumma on his economic record and presented again a much more plausible plan for jobs
2. Romney has correctly identified Obumma as a liar on Libya (- not helped by Obumma not answering almost any other of the questions asked)
3. The perception of media bias getting wider and deeper traction in voterland was re-enforced by Crowley
JamesK
17 Oct 12 at 7:15 pm
3. The perception of media bias getting wider and deeper traction in voterland was re-enforced by Crowley
I agree. I saw that portion where she called Romney a liar about the Rose Garden speech and after the media cover it the next day the public should be scandalised and under no illusions in the future. And I don’t think the MFM will try to bullshit this one.
That said I listened to PM tonight. They had the hide to highlight it without correction.
DaveF
17 Oct 12 at 7:50 pm
Delusional, Mk50 of Brisbane, you’re clearly delusional!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
17 Oct 12 at 8:56 pm
Obama: hey, I got Osama and I got Hillary, too. Dammit, who did Romney ever kill, huh?
He failed to kill the dog by tying it to the top of the car.
perturbed
17 Oct 12 at 9:49 pm