Presidential Debate: Live Blog Part 2
Posted: October 3, 2012 Filed under: Live Blog 166 Comments
Mitt just admitted he wants to replace the current medicare system with a voucher system. WHOA. He wants to makes sure that the elderly understand that they can throw their kids and grandchildren under the bus and keep the better deal!
ABC has a debate transcript going up at this location. (updated every 15 minutes)
I think we can all agree the real loser tonight is Jim Lehrer. Mitt Romney’s trying to end his job and do it at the same time.
peej
Carissa
dakinikat
ecocatwoman
grayslady
mablue2
NW Luna
peggysue22
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Who are these women always coming to Romney?
Daddy issues?
Okay, now Romney is looking rattled. Romneycare did it. Keep on him, Obama!
Why does Romney keep trying to scream about time?
Romney’s changed his tune again on regulation and taxes.
He’s flung more poo than a zoo full of monkeys so far.
I think Romney is starting to lose it a bit. He did his weird hahaha laugh when Obama said Romneycare.
He did!
My cold is starting to get worse again…I think my immune system is actually affected by this debate… I’m not kidding.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised. I’m getting a headache from it.
I have developed a massive headache. I can barely see and the sound of Romney’s voice is painful. I’m not kidding either.
Romney you lose on healthcare, shaddup
Uh oh… Romney asked to describe his plan. He lies and then changes the subject. Obama needs to hold his feet to the fire. Lehrer is useless.
“I used to consult to businesses, excuse me I mean hospitals”
BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA
Now Romney is just babbling and Lehrer is letting him do it.
Romney seems over prepared and racing to get all his talking points in.
Yes, but he’s being allowed to filibuster and people who don’t know much are going to think he sounds rational.
BB at 9:09 Yup! exactly BB.
Exactly, BB. Romney is winning this debate even if he’s totally bullshitting.
Yep also. 😦
It’s the carney barker approach — if you can’t persuade based on facts, just snow ’em in a blizzard of words.
Throw ’em a fake and a finagle — they’ll never know you’re just a bagel.
–Chicago, “Razzle Dazzle”
Razzle Dazzle them…lol
Romney learned how to do than before he became a missionary. It’s called “lying for the lord.”
Why won’t Obama just say that Medicare uses 3% or less for overhead? And private insurers take a “only” 20% under Obamacare?
Has he said this??? Why not????
Obviously the government does it far cheaper.
Why can’t Obama just nail this lying fool?
He said that earlier actually.
Good, but he should reference again and again when Romney lies about how government can’t do anything cheaper. Basic debate technique.
I mean, if Romney is such a good bidness man why can’t he figure out that 97% pay out for caring for people is a lot better than 70-80%?
I just figured it out. Hillary isn’t here for Obama to copy his paper off of… She knows basic debate…..advanced debate….
Oh, I agree. Absolutely. Obama is terrible tonight.
…just now reading this. Yeah, that’s what I thought too. (sigh)
Private ins is closer to 30% in most studies. It’s immoral, IMNSHO.
This is not a good debate for either of them…
I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t cause a bouncelet for Romeny.
Is Obama afraid to praise Medicare too much since he refused to allow it to be used as a basis for extending care to all Americans????
97% vs. 80%, which used to closer to 70% or even less from the privates. This is simple, dude!!!
Why not hammer Ol’ Prof. Harold Romney with this???
How much longer is Lehrer going to let Romney talk? This is ridiculous.
I’ve been saying that over and over again!
Let him talk, the more he does, the more we know he does NOT have a plan…………No Plan from Romney, and that’s the big difference JIM.
“Trust me” went over like a lead balloon.
I think Mitt just admitted he HAS NO PLAN. He just wants to talk it over with legislators, AFTER ELECTED, and see what happens. HE’S SUCH A IDIOT
And he wants to let some states just set their sick and elderly out to die somewhere. That’s the state by state approach. And if you travel in the large nation, you might find yourself in a state where your plan doesn’t cover you for an illness or accident. Wowser. What a damn fool.
Charlie Pierce just said this one is going to Romney.
Charlie also thought Brown won the first debate against Warren. It’s his sports side coming out/
He sounds smoother, and it’s not necessary to make sense as long as the words flow. Uh, oh. now he’s on the god track.
I would agree. He was on the attack and kept it up. He also kept saying the same things that were basically not possible but he said it with a straight face. Plus, he managed to contradict his earlier policy statements in earlier debates and he went unchallenged.
Trickle Down Government?!
That’s the second time he used that “zinger.” Of course it makes no sense.
good I missed it the first time, once is bad enough
You know what is trickle down government, Mr. Romney? When buffoons like you are elected and piss on the electorate that put you in office…
Mit loves great schools but not for your frigging kids. Teachers are union-controlled leaches, my friend.
Now Mitt is starting to sound really hyper. I’m not watching it anymore, but it sounds like flop sweat.
LOL
Who the fuck is “We”………………………….Romney,life and liberty, and freedom and dreams……We believe…………….who is WE?
he and his magic underwear
Okay all, I’m tuning out. This is so bad. Lehrer sucks, the debate sucks, and I don’t give a damn. I’m still voting for Obama. Good night all.
I’m still listening… but I agree! Night, janice!
I’ve been flipping between this and the new South Park…
Me too. Obama should ask Bill Clinton to sit in for him at the next debate.
Good idea, Boomer.
Ryan voted against Simpson-Bowles — has this been pounded on?
Except I hate the Obama even is bringing it up….
WOW, Romney just walks all over Romney!
Er, walks all over Lehrer….oops.
Another zinger!
Romney had a lot of energy and talking points but very few facts. Wonder if anyone will fact check this debate? If they do, his ass is under water big time.
They’re fact checking at the WaPo.
Kessler. Shit.
Facts, schmacts. Romney is an amazing b.s, artist. If I were an undecided voter watching this, I would vote for Mitt and probably convert to Mormonism, too.
Romney getting dirty…………Obama stay above it, thought I like to see you jump his ass.
well my prediction is no one on MSNBC is going to be happy. Because I’m not. I guess we can say President Obama looked and acted like the president. Romney looked like he had to say everything in two minutes because the damn place was on fire. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a candidate that was so desperate to be President without a reason. I swear if this guy is elected I might start watching Honey Boo Boo.
my comment from below.
Really, pd? I see what you’re saying, though I actually think Obama is acting like he is NOT the president…he’s being too deferential to Romney by default/by not being on the offensive… he’s not even playing good defense. Very weak.
I disagree with that. I think Obama looks presidential because he isn’t rude. Romney is overbearing. He says he will work with people but he can’t stand people. He doesn’t want to hear their ideas. He doesn’t want to even let them talk!
I meant Obama’s not acting like a lunatic like Romney. Because that’s what I just saw. Of course I wanted Obama to call him on all the lies.
I agree with y’all… that Obama wasn’t rude… I wish he was rude though. Romney controlled the entire debate.
My head hurts….
I’m stacking my dishwasher now.
I was thinking that too Wonk…………well, it will feel much better on the morning of Nov 7.
Say what he worked and got along with everyone in Mass…………freakin liar, he didn’t. We don’t have to fact check, BB’s been on it for over a year.
Where do I get my sleep back? I shouldn’t have stayed up for this.
The moderator needs to rain Romney in and ask him to specify his plan.
I can’t believe you stayed up too…but it was damn good to see you here…enjoyed your comments big time.
Yes, mablue! Wonderful, like old times 🙂
I’m glad you were here mablue.
Did Romney actually thank Obama for tuning in tonight? The frig?
Did anyone else hear Mitt say to Obama, you can have your own plane, and your own house, but not your own facts? That was bizarre.
That was indeed bizarre! Especially coming from someone who makes up his own facts.
It was the plane part that I found bizarre.
Lol! See my 9:37 comment below.
I didn’t but look at the twitter responses:
https://twitter.com/scATX/status/253684991232450561
Oh, and “you can have your own plane.” Guess Romney thinks everyone who’s not poor (excuse me, lower income) has their own plane.
And garage elevators, no doubt.
Yup … that’s what I was just thinking … Obama should have said that … NO immigration or women’s rights … tons of stuff left out even though he kept hammering away at how much power the states should have …
No one brought up the “47 percent!”
Obama should’ve said you’re treating the moderator like you say you want to treat the 47%
Yup, that is right!
Oh yeah, no one brought up the 51% either…51% being women!
Yeah, I had to eat crow………..I said earlier he would say that he would help everybody, and then brand Romney with 47%………………….I guess I’ve got to “get over it”. The other thing we will never know, being the president, maybe some serious shit went on today and he was hit with it, and it showed up in the debate.
Michelle looked quite worried before the debate. I wondered at the time if something bad had happened during the day. Maybe we will find out later.
I need to get some sleep, but I’m too damn upset. All the missed opportunities Obama had! He may have lost the election tonight.
The quintessential Obamaphile himself–Andrew Sullivan–thinks Obama LOST tonight? Oh that is bad…
Somebody needs to break through his narcissism and make him actually do some real prep. That closing was pathetic and Jesus, at least that he should have had down.
Tweetie’s leg is not tingling … whoa! MSNBC crowd thinks Obama was ‘disappointing’.
If he’s lost Tweety…
Tweety was very upset, and angry-seeming — at Obama.
James Carville also panned the prez performance. And David Gergen was impressed with Romney’s delivery. And Steve Schmidt, usually so even and fair, was very impressed with Romney’s “strong performance.”
CBS snap poll: 69% Obama cares about their needs and problems up from 53% before debate https://twitter.com/markknoller/statuses/253693360081096704
this is interesting
That is very interesting.
I knew this was coming from MSNBC they are pissed, They wished he would have been listening to them because they have been giving Obama the answers.
Chris Matthews is losing it.
Yes, he really did.
I just got back home. Worked late, and caught the last 20 min of the debate in the car driving home. Haven’t read the comments yet.
But I hate to say that Obama sounded somewhat unprepared, and missed some obvious comebacks. Romney, that lying zygote-worshiping nutcase, sounded smooth and concerned. Obama was too gentlemanly.
I could not stop myself from imagining Hillary debating, with her confident plans and arsenal of facts.
“I could not stop myself from imagining Hillary debating, with her confident plans and arsenal of facts.” –NW Luna
That’s in fact why Obama probably tanked… he had no Hillary debate pro to copy off of…and make digs at…
Obama’s got an ad made from heaven over those Medicare Vouchers Romney supported.
https://twitter.com/BlGBlRD/statuses/253672264539709440
Think of Slimy the Worm when you vote in November! Save Slimy’s job… think of the worm.
I already voted………………Obama, my headache will be much better on the 7th Nov.
I guess he Obama needs a relief debater… wonder which clinton is available?
Wow, that big bird…. he’s really perceptive.
I don’t know about y’all, but I was screaming out retorts that Obama should have been making against Romney, but wasn’t.
Obama looked docile. He could have come at him over outsourcing, over Mitt’s suggestion that uninsured to the ER, over the plans to privatize SS and he had several opportunities to retaliate using the 47% comment.
He looked flat, almost uninterested. If he doens’t get off the pot he’ll lose to the overbearing robot.
Obama should have just said, Mr. Romney, you are lying.
Absolutely. Or at the very least look at Romney and say “that’s not what you’ve been saying”.
Needless to say, I’m pissed!
Lawrence O’Donnell says Obama used a “presidential strategy” tonight and he might have to review that decision. Ya think?
Yea, I think some one needs to make Obama watch that debate 24/7 until the next debate. Do you think they have some kind of strategy of letting Biden be the bull dog?
Here I was complaining that in 2008 I missed all this because most of the debates were on pay TV. Clearly nothing is clear.
The transcripts will tell the tale.
I wonder how this played to the crowd by gender?
https://twitter.com/AmandaMarcotte/status/253688025190633472
Yeah. Plus, I think we were watching something akin to a male/female fight where the man does all the yelling and overtalking and the woman is just lucky to get out of the room.
I thought that too. Plus, if Obama would’ve upped the emotion he would’ve been called an angry black man. No win situation.
Excactly rofingbird and dak.
Has anyone heard the numbers on how many people watched the debate? Obama said 40 million.
Another thing that bothered me was Obama shaking his head yes as Romney was ticking off points and using the phrase “Gov. Romney and I agree” on this or that. WTF sort of debate tactic is that? Goddam I could have done a better job, but probably not without CURSING!!!
OMG! They just said that Obama talked four mins. longer than Romney.
Well, 6 of those 4 minutes were, hmmm, uh, uh, uh!!! Obama was having trouble getting his thoughts together.
Or was it 4 of those 6 minutes? 🙂
WHAT
I’m very unhappy and mucusy, but yet happy to have had blog communications with my Sky Dancing community! XO Night all.
Glad you were here. My cold is bugging me too, but I’m glad I didn’t watch it alone.
Same here … I’m on countdown to my night time help me sleep and breathe med
I was yelling at Romney a fair amount during that drive home, after an 11-hr day.
“We’re all children of the same god,” or some such drivel. No.We’re.Not. And spouting on about the Constitution. Separation of church & state, eh, forgot about that Mitt? That’s in there, you idiot.
He actually confused the constitution and the declaration once and Obama didn’t call him on it.
I think he was taking a nap
Ed Schultz went nuts too. And he was making more sense than Chris Matthews.
Good night sky dancers, thanks for being here so I could blow off some steam. Now I will try to sleep, which may require drugs
Same here.
‘Night, everybody.
Oh, definitely tonight, Mouse. Too long a day for me working with too many patients who need more care and resources, and cutbacks everywhere but Wall Street.
I was in no mood to listen to Romney’s bald-faced lies. Obama was missing obvious zinger comebacks. He’d better get in shape fast.
Night all.
Does Obama know that Derval Patrick is Governor of MA? Romney took so much credit for MA that I think he thinks he is still the Governor. Most of the pundits seem convinced that Mittens won. I think it was a lackluster tie. Romney is a liar and Obama is weak. Pathetic all the way around.
Romney just “debated” the Empty Chair! Was Obama even there tonight?
He allowed Romney to stand there and basically take over the stage, chanting one lie after another while he did little beyond looking down as if he was sorry about something.
As for Lerher: what an asshole! He let Romney take over and only interrpted Obama who took it like a rookie.
I am so angry I sound like Ed Schultze who is close to losing it.
Yeah, I was pounding the dash in my car at Romney’s lies and blatant fake concerns, and at Obama’s hesitancy. He talks about fights that need to be fought, but he wasn’t convincing.
Can we get Obama a remote controll device to feed him Hillary’s answers?
KDCaulfeild
@FiredBigBird and they say GOP won’t have any death panels?
Romney and his not wanting government to tell you what health care you can have. But it’s OK for fat blood-sucking insurance corporations to tell you what health care you can have? And it’s OK for callous nutwings to tell you what health care you can’t have?
Oh, the comeback lines we were all saying in our heads — or yelling out loud, in my case.
You know, we all know Obama blew it tonight but i can’t for the life of me understand how people can’t hear the word Private and get what that means.
They will award Romney the “win” because the moderator allowed him to take over the stage, talk over the prompts, and interrupt whenever he felt like it.
But Obama lost every opportunity to take him on by appearing to agree with him knowing full well that Romney was lying through his teeth.
What tonight did was get a few more “undecideds” into Mitt’s camp based on nothing more than his ability to usurp the conversation that were littered with lies while the president looked bored out of his gourd and stood there like a potted plant.
Who is fighting for us anyway? Anyone? Watch the poll numbers start to close in now that this debate has established that for the most part most of us are really “on our own”.
I just took a look on my Facebook and most of the Romney crowd was very pleased! It does not make me feel any more positive…Romney could pull this win out his robotic ass.
Loved the comments. I left the computer to watch the debate – simply can’t multitask on the debates. Like many of you, I too was screaming at the TV as Romney LIED, LIED, LIED. I really lost it when he said America has the best health care system in the world. How is 64th place the best? We pay more per person than any developed country.
Obama’s performance didn’t surprise me. Personally, I thought Obama was lousy in the debates with Hillary. I think she wiped the floor with him so I didn’t expect much from him tonight. But, I totally agree with kat, if Obama got even slightly angry/miffed then he’d be labeled an angry black man. I think he should have laughed out loud at Romney’s most ridiculous statements. And I think that would have thrown Romney off his game.
NIght all.
Taegan Goddard: Reaction to the First Presidential Debate
Do you think they have some kind of strategy of letting Biden be the bull dog? like Dak said Obama can’t be angry black man.
Mitt Romney’s Five Biggest Lies of the First Half of the Presidential Debate
http://www.politicususa.com/mitt-romneys-biggest-lies-presidential-debate.html
I know Obama doesn’t like Bill Clinton, but he should ask Bill (or Hillary) to prepare him for the next debate. He was so lackluster There were a couple of moments near the end when he finally did seem to wake up and call Romney on a couple of things.
Obama doesn’t dislike Bill Clinton.
Even the infamous Lori Montgomery is shocked by Romney’s lies.
I just read a comment Next debate Mitt will pin O down and cut his hair.
LOL! Now that I’m listening to some of the replay, Mitt sounds so hyped up that he’s babbling. Very fast talker!
Another comment At least with Mitt as President, we wouldn’t have to hear the politicians complain about the deficit anymore.
Chris Matthews said it was like Romney was on some Mormon version of a caffeine high. I agree.
I thought he sound frantic myself. Maybe he had coffee for the first time!
BTW I put up a new post since this one is getting so long!!
Jim Lehrer gets savaged on Twitter.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/10/03/jim-lehrer-gets-savaged-on-twitter/
who knew al roker was so funny
The president needs to come hard on mit all he dose is backpedaling! He is strictly running on helping the wealthy. And that’s all fine & dandy.because we all wont to be wealthy!so where is his plan to let the middle class become wealthy so we can take advantage of the tax break. So far I haven’t heard 1 or seen any such plan.mitt is some sh*t!!