October 22, 2012

Live-blogging the big last debate.

7:06 Central Time: Get ready!

7:32: In the comments, Sorun said, "I predict a big Obama win tonight, since the only people watching will be single women (and Althouse)." Ha ha. Very funny. Right now, we are watching the baseball game. I know there's football too.

8:02: Bob Scheiffer introduces the candidates.

8:04: First question: Libya. Romney talking as Obama keeps an icy stare trained upon him. I don't hear Romney nailing any strong point. He's decided to be conciliatory here for some reason. Obama talking now, stressing liberating the people of Libya after 40 years of despotism.

8:14: Romney: "Attacking me is not an agenda." He corrects Obama about Russia. He certainly wouldn't say to Putin he'll have flexibility after the election. Now, there's a lot of overtalking about Iraq. Obama gains control and talks about being "clear" about foreign policy. The moderator is not intervening, so the topics are allowed to be completely mixed up.

8:17: Obama has picked up Romney's tic of ticking off 5 points.

8:18: Syria. "Syrians are going to have to determine their own future," says Obama. What we see in Syria "is heartbreaking," but it would be "a serious step" to get "more entangled." Romney says "Syria is an opportunity for us." It's "Iran's only ally," but we don't want to get "dragged into a military conflict." Romney's trying to be level-headed and presidential, not to shake anything up here tonight.

 8:21: Romney says we should "be taking the leadership role" in Syria, and Obama picks up that phrase: "We are playing the leadership role."

8:24: Romney doesn't have different ideas about Syria, because we're doing the right thing there, says Obama.

8:25: Egypt: Romney wouldn't have supported Mubarak. Basically, again, Romney agrees with what Obama did. Romney adds some aspirations about the Middle East, but not any real distinction from Obama.

8:29: "What is America's role in the world?" is Bob Schieffer's big, generic question. Romney, "America must be strong. America must lead." Obama says we're "the one indispensable nation... Our alliances have never been stronger."

8:34: They've stopped interrupting each other. No belligerence tonight. There's an evenness and similarity to the 2 candidates (not that there aren't a few disagreements).

8:39: Obama just did some sharp interrupting while Romney was rhapsodizing about education in Massachusetts.

8:43: Romney defends military spending. He emphasizes keeping the numbers of ships and planes up. Obama says Romney doesn't understand how the military works. "We... have fewer horses and bayonets..." he says sarcastically. It's not "a game of Battleship, where we're counting ships."

8:47: Question: Does an attack on Israel count as an attack on the United States? Obama doesn't give a straightforward yes, but says "I will stand with Israel."

8:48: Romney adopts the same "stand with Israel" language. Both stressed military intervention as the last resort.

8:52: Obama says the reports of an agreement with Iran are not true. "We would welcome Iran" into "the community of nations." He chides Romney for acting as though it would work to say the same things but say them "louder."

8:54: Iran "saw weakness," Romney said, harkening back to Obama's campaign 2008 statements about willingness to sit down with the leaders of Iran (and other places). Obama was silent on Iran's Green Revolution. Obama said he'd put "daylight" between the U.S. and Israel, and that encouraged Iran's defiance. We need to "show strength." We need the tightest possible sanctions. We need to indict Ahmadinejad.

8:57: Everything Romney just said is untrue, according to Obama, who claims he was "very clear" about the Green Revolution.

8:58: Romney: "The reason I called it an apology tour... You said America had been dismissive and derisive... America has not 'dictated to other nations.' America has freed other nations."

9:01: Schieffer wants to know what we'd do if Israel called up and said our bombers are on the way to Israel, and Romney rejects the hypothetical. That's not the relationship we have. It wouldn't play out like that.

9:06: Romney assures us we'll bring our troops out of Afghanistan by 2014. But what if the Afghans aren't ready? That was the question. Obama ignores the question the same way.

9:11: "Is it time for us to divorce Pakistan?" asks Bob Schieffer. Romney: No, it's too important — nuclear weapons, terrorists.

9:13: Romney is asked about drone strikes, and he completely supports Obama's policy.

9:18: Obama defends fighting China when it dumped cheap tires here. Romney doesn't want "protectionism" against China, but finding mutual interests with China: We want a stable world, "but you've got to play by the rules." And Romney wants to declare China a "currency manipulator." Romney explains why that makes sense. "I want a great relationship with China" but "they can't roll all over us."

9:26: Lots of fighting over the auto industry. Obama says check the record and a bit later Romney says check the record. Romney's point is that government should not invest in business, while Obama is accusing him of willingness to let the auto companies go into liquidation.

9:30: Romney wants to get the private sector growing, which isn't done by hiring a lot of teachers, though he certainly does love teachers. Schieffer, rushing toward the finish line, says "I think we all love teachers," and announces it's time for closing statements.

9:36: Closing statements. Bob Schieffer ends with his mom's advice: Go vote.

9:40: Michelle Obama comes onto stage to greet Obama and about 10 Romney people — including a lot of kids — come up to hang out with Romney.

9:44: I watched on CNN (with that damn graph on the bottom showing how undecided males and females reacted to each moment), and afterwards James Carville yammered so much about how Obama won that I turned it off. I didn't think either candidate won. They seemed surprisingly similar. Obama certainly maintained eye contact. If it was an eye contact contest, Obama won.

9:52: Here's my bottom line: By adopting a strategy of only modestly challenging Obama and mostly seeming the same as Obama on foreign policy, Romney neutralized foreign policy as an issue and kept the election focus on the economy. He even refocused the discussion on the economy whenever he could over the course of the evening. The election is about the economy, and nothing either candidate said tonight will change that. The only way Obama really could have won is if Romney had tumbled into some kind of exploitable gaffe. That didn't happen.

941 comments:

1 – 200 of 941   Newer›   Newest»
Ben Morris said...

Ok I'm ready.

Ben Morris said...

Not sure I've ever seen as much contradictory advice as what I'm seeing floating around the blogosphere for Romney tonight.

Personally, I'm in the "less is more" on Benghazi camp.

Hammer Medvedev exchange: It gets at core presidential qualities.

clint said...

Fasten your seat belts... it's gonna be a bumpy ride.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sorun said...

I predict a big Obama win tonight, since the only people watching will be single women (and Althouse).

Ben Morris said...

Intrade gives Romney a 37.9% chance of being winner tonight (by CNN instapoll).

mesquito said...

I'll bet Romney is in Limbaugh's studio for an interview tomorrow.

Pastafarian said...

I'm thinking maybe Romney should say some nice things about Obama early on in this one: something about how he's clearly a decent man with good intentions and a beautiful family.

Because Obama is going to have to go negative and go hard, and if Romney establishes a congenial tone early, it will make Obama look like a dick.

Unknown said...

Locked and loaded!

mesquito said...

"America cannot lead from behind, when it's America's behind under attack."

Greg Gutfeld

Titus said...

There is a women in the audience who has purple hair. How inappropriate.

tits.

Palladian said...

rcommal said...

Looking forward to the end of the tunnel, myself.

Titus said...

You know who the purple hair woman is voting for.

Purple hair, Jesus.

Petunia said...

I'll be switching between MLB and MNF, mostly because I can't stand to listen to or look at Obama. The last two debates, and the VP debate, I had an excuse, as I had training meetings. But I'll be watching the analysis later.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Is this thing on?

mesquito said...

If you hate Nazis, there's no choice but Romney.

http://www.npr.org/2012/10/22/163419376/why-does-germany-favor-obama-in-presidential-race?sc=tw

Palladian said...

Looking forward to the end of the tunnel, myself.

The light you see up at the end of the tunnel is the headlight of a speeding train coming in your direction.

Palladian said...

Hmmm, coffee or gin? ... Coffee or gin?

clint said...

Topics announced:

"As announced, Bob Scheiffer will be bringing up the following topics, in no particular order

America's role in the world
Our Longest war - Afghanistan
Red Lines - Israel and Iran
The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism - I
The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism - II
The Rise of China and Tomorrow's World"

Sad to see Latin America and Europe completely left out. Huge topics there... ("More flexibility...", Ukrainian election and Russian gas, collapsing EU, Fast and Furious, Honduras, Venezuela...)

It will be interesting to see how Romney manages to bring some breadth of vision to a debate that is apparently intended to be 80% about the Islamic world with a tiny afterthought on China.

Emil Blatz said...

The preparatory PR I am having a hard time tolerating is John Kerry acting dismissive, as though Romney is not "ready for prime time" as he defines it. Kerry as Sec. of State in a (hypothetical) Obama 2nd term would be disastrous. I can't wait for Romney to win and then announce John Bolton for State. Then in confirmation hearings Bolton can take the paint off of that jackass, John Kerry.

Titus said...

I don't like Obama much but I can stand to look at or listen to Romney.

rcommal said...

Palladian: Indeed. Regardless.

john said...

Latest Headline:

Wisconsin Senator's Son Beat To A Pulp In Whitewater After Confronting Tea-Party Thugs Removing Obama-Biden Signs From His Yard

Oh, that didn't happen? So please just replace "Tea-Party Thugs" with "Anti-Romney Thugs" and "Obama-Biden Signs" with "Romney Signs" and the story goes from utterly preposterous to completely believable!

Mark said...

Kerry as Sec. of State in a (hypothetical) Obama 2nd term would be disastrous.

Well, at least he'd have another opportunity to final fulfill one of his fantasies, to go behind enemy lines.

Palladian said...

I've decided on coffee... for now.

Sorun said...

Oh man, what a violent state Wisconsin has become. Good thing I'm packing heat.

rcommal said...

This election is more likely than not the last time I'll be voting in a presidential election in a swing state, and in fact that has played a role in imminent moving plans. (Of course, I suppose, one never truly knows over the long haul, I have to acknowledge.)

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

San Francisco strikes first 1 to nuthing in the bottom of the first.

Mark said...

Palladian, might I suggest instead Irish Coffee.

edutcher said...

Ah was born ready!

In terms of what's happening for real, a strong showing by the Romster, or any kind of meltdown by Choom, seals the deal.

There were 4 new polls on OH out today - 2 have it even, 1 has Zero up by only 1, and the Black Rock/Q-Pac has Zero up by 5 with a skew of D +9 (26% of the OH electorate Republican), so this one will probably push OH into the Romster's column for good and all.

clint said...

Topics announced:

"As announced, Bob Scheiffer will be bringing up the following topics, in no particular order

America's role in the world
Our Longest war - Afghanistan


10 years?

As they once observed in Lord Strathcona's Horse, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?".

What happened to 'Nam at 18 years?

Palladian said...

A good suggestion, Mark. Alas, no whiskey on hand.

Palladian said...

Alas, no whiskey on hand.

Wow, I never believed the sad day would arrive when I'd have to type that phrase.

Mutaman said...

Just wondering: did you morons ever find those weapons of mass destruction?

rcommal said...

I plan to watch the debate live in the kitchen. But I also just set up the debate to record from C-Span on the living room TV, so that Monday Night Football can be watched live. So great to live in an era of time-shifting choices.

Wait.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

A whole damn hour before the actual event?

My Lord are you are insufferably hypocritical about your professed indifference to politics!

Athouse: Bringing high intensity and volume to low-information voting.

Mark said...

Mutaman is a bit.... touchy, don't you think. Nervous?

Synova said...

I have a mid term, a post and pre-lab, and a paper to write tonight.

Mark said...

I love the smell of progressive hysteria. Smells like victory.

Pastafarian said...

Palladian, I've wanted to have a bottle sent your way. You like the more peaty types if I recall, right?

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

More entertaining version of Mark.

Synova said...

The abc news guy just said that Obama "wound down two wars."

On what basis is it two? Does Afghanistan count as "wound down" because while they keep killing us we have given up killing them?

TmjUtah said...

I think that media begins disengaging from Obama tonight.

Schiefer won't be there for Obama.

Nobody likes a loser. That's just business, kid.

rcommal said...

Just wondering: Did you morons ever find those weapons of mass destruction?

Just wondering: Do you always maunder and broad-brush that way, just out of the clear blue (sky, or otherwise)? Because that would be--what was the measured, analytical concept you just threw out, in your scatter-shot way?--moronic. Jeez, I thought that was a state of being you were trying to deride.

Anonymous said...

Peanut butter cups and coffee with Khalua.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I momentarily switched to CSPAN and saw Mike McCurry... He was lucky to be out of there by the time Monica was getting her knee pads.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

I think I'm gonna have to go with Fireball Whiskey, with apple cider. A wonderful fall combination.

Mark said...

Thank you Ritmo.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The Cards wasted a scoring opportunity with a man on third and less than two outs.

Pastafarian said...

Not unlike the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., I have a dream.

I dream of a day when, during his inaugural address, President Romney lets loose with the most profane vile series of vulgarities and curses since Freeman Hunt smoked catnip; then he reaches into his vest pocket and pulls out a garishly jewel-encrusted flask, takes a long pull of Purple Drank that's 20% pure codeine, and belches into the mike:

HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW BITCHEZ?!!

I have a dream.

Revenant said...

I can't think of anything more enjoyable to do this evening... than to skip watching this debate. :)

MadisonMan said...

Why is that ancient Schieffer moderating? How is what he thinks relevant?

kimsch said...

Watching last night's The Mentalist now, will watch either Walking Dead or Boardwalk Empire next and follow the debate here.

I can't spend any time listening to Obama's voice. Were it "President Allstate", Dennis Haysbert, I could listen all the day long...

Baron Zemo said...

They are using old Bob because they couldn't get the guys from Wipe Out.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Dinner at the Romney table

ken in tx said...

Inga, coffee with Kahlua is great!

Palladian said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mark said...

Pasta, I could get behind that platform.

Palladian said...

Palladian, I've wanted to have a bottle sent your way. You like the more peaty types if I recall, right?

Wow, much obliged! Yes, I tend to favor peatier whiskies but I actually like all types.

Mutaman said...

"Mutaman is a bit.... touchy, don't you think. Nervous?"

I am. Cain looks a little shaky.

Mark said...

Ritmo is in his "I see rednecks" mode.

Palladian said...

Peanut butter cups and coffee with Khalua.

Egads, death by glucose!

Mitch H. said...

My god, the hosts of the debate are most obnoxious, pompous, and self-involved bunch of blowhards. Yammer, yammer, yammer.

Where's that bottle of bourbon?

Baron Zemo said...

When do they introduce the accountants who count the ballots?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Donald Trumps Drudge trumped bombshell leaks out.

kentuckyliz said...

Palladian...excellent use of the interrabang!

ctsheepdog said...

Real-time Twitter sentiment analysis at www.sibylvision.com/live . Watching the graph update is cool, reading the tweets is illuminating (as in, did that person just type that?)

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

I like the part where John C. Reilly offers to hold Ricky Bobby's wife's hair as she demands he make passionate love to her at the dinner table after insulting her father.

A totally Romney moment.

Mutaman said...

"Just wondering: Do you always maunder and broad-brush that way, just out of the clear blue"

Just reminding everyone of those recent halcyon days when our friends on the right were in charge.

Joe Schmoe said...

I've just been Rick-rolled by Lem...

You've all been warned...

Anonymous said...

No Palladian, my peanut butter cups are lowcarb, made with sweetener, no sugar and made with 75% dark Callebaut chocolate, only 2 carbs per peanut butter cup.

Mitch H. said...

Bleah. 1792's premium over piss-cheap Evan Williams just isn't worth the candle. I should keep the lees around for whichever future guest is too high-tone to drink bottom-shelf bourbon. Even if the bottom-shelf stuff is better than the more expensive rotgut.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

A shot after every time Romney lies!

Hagar said...

I purely hate it when all these media clowns go to jabbering about what the candidates are going to say!

wildswan said...

There's baseball and football - put the debate in the little tiny picture with the sound off. But I can't - I am drawn against my will

Synova said...

Wasn't this supposed to start now? The newsies are blathering on and on.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I've just been Rick-rolled by Lem...

It never gets old.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Romney just lied, and Bob Shiefer hasn't even introduced him!

garage mahal said...

PREDICTION: Romney won easily. Not even close!

furious_a said...

Love those CSPAN production values, wish they broadcast in HD.

Anonymous said...

Oh God, Ritmo, I'd be under the table.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Where's the wind-up knob in Romney's back that propels him to walk?

kcom said...

"I can't spend any time listening to Obama's voice."

Ain't that the truth. For a "Real Good Talker" he as an annoyingly annoying delivery.

Mark said...

Just reminding everyone of those recent halcyon days when our friends on the right were in charge.

Yeah, when unemployment was under 6%, gas was under $2.00/gallon, we actually knew what our health insurance covered and thought we had an idea what it would cover 5 years from that halcyon day.

When U.S. citizens weren't fair game for drone attacks.

When you could make a shitty film and not worry about being locked in solitary confinement.

I remember those days.

Anonymous said...

Mitten's chair has had its wheels tampered with - didn't roll out from under the table. It's all over.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Libya first.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Yeah, ROmney already won!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Romeny won the coin toss again!

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Romney should dye to words "WINNING" in white into the hair on the sides of his temples.

clint said...

"We can't kill our way out of this..."

Translation: I am not a warmonger. I am not Bush.

Mitch H. said...

Wow. Obama looks stuffed. He's not moving while Romney is talking.

Pastafarian said...

Look at the death stare of Obama right at Romney. Overcompensating from his eyes down mistake.

TWM said...

Romney took Osama right out of Barry's mouth. Good move.

Mitch H. said...

Of course, now that it's Obama's turn, Romney isn't moving either. But at least he's blinking.

Palladian said...

Palladian...excellent use of the interrabang!

Thanks! It seemed appropriate. I wish there was a key on the keyboard for it.

No Palladian, my peanut butter cups are lowcarb, made with sweetener, no sugar and made with 75% dark Callebaut chocolate, only 2 carbs per peanut butter cup.

Oh, well, send them over! It's the only kind of candy I really like.

I use Callebaut chocolate when I bake as well. I'm not a big chocolate lover, but everyone else is so it's good to have around.

There's a wonderful shop near where I teach called New York Cake & Bake that sells huge slabs of Callebaut and Valhrona chocolate as well as bulk bags of bits.

TWM said...

Barry immediately took actions to make sure people were safe - after he slept for a while that night.

Mark said...

Harp Lager. It helps.

Synova said...

OMG.

Mitch H. said...

Oh, listen to that. Obama's claiming that he "liberated" Libya. Did we have troops on the ground, then?

kcom said...

"I've just been Rick-rolled by Lem...

You've all been warned..."


I clicked after you said this, just for the fun of it, but it's no fun when an ad plays first. There should be a law that you can't play an ad before running that video.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

What kind of question was that?

Mr Romney you said Obamas policy is a shamble... want to have another go at it?

Romney proceed to stumble.

bagoh20 said...

I expect this to be the last opportunity to honor this President in a way truly fitting, so I want ask that everyone join me in watching our leader tonight without clothes, that right, get em off.

Inga, why are you under the table?

Palladian said...

Love those CSPAN production values, wish they broadcast in HD.

Who wants to see a politician in HD?

clint said...

Obama strong, too -- Libyans marching in solidarity with us.

Both of them were well prepared to talk about Libya. Not surprising.

Shouting Thomas said...

Mush from both sides.

Romney doesn't seem to know how to exploit Obama's failure on Benghazi.

Synova said...

Obama did everything he could to protect those people. But Libya was cheap!!

Obama does war on the cheap! America is our friend! That's why Libya is so safe now.

Gary Kirk said...

A little game while listening...count how many times Obama says "I" or "I did" versus how many times Romney says "we".

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Romney deciding to channel his pacifist dad after convincing the neocons that he doesn't need to court them any more.

He's great at how he times out his pretensions!

edutcher said...

Inga said...

No Palladian, my peanut butter cups are lowcarb, made with sweetener, no sugar and made with 75% dark Callebaut chocolate, only 2 carbs per peanut butter cup.

Artificial sweeteners increase the chance of dementia.

If Oop and Ritmo are going to circle jerk all night, maybe we can just leave them in their corner.

gail said...

Why is Obama blinking so much? Is he nervous, scared, or ? It seems unnatural.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

America always votes for the better liar. May the best liar win!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Romney doesn't seem to know how to exploit Obama's failure on Benghazi.

Thats what it looks like.

Synova said...

"Romney deciding to channel his pacifist dad after convincing the neocons that he doesn't need to court them any more."

Your quaint belief that there is a pro-war "neocon" faction is rather adorable.

Anonymous said...

Bagoh, I'll be under the table if I have a shot of Khalua every time Romney lies, so he better tell the truth.

wyo sis said...

Romney's been wrong?
This is going to be a long night.

Shouting Thomas said...

Obama has a stronger position here than I expected, and that's his knowledge that nobody wants another war.

Romney seems to be hobbled by fear that he will be accused of seeking another war.

Mitch H. said...

Obama non sequitur about alleged Romney non sequitur about Russia. Bad timing, Barry. Romney might have said it, but you're the one bringing it up in front of the audience.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

You can always tell when Romney's getting ready for a lie. He scrunches up his eyebrows and puts a glimmer in his eye as if he's about to cry.

TWM said...

"Bagoh, I'll be under the table if I have a shot of Khalua every time Romney lies, so he better tell the truth'

You kept saying Romney lied during the last debate, but were proven wrong every time. So it will be interesting to see what you call a lie this time.

Patrick said...

You people are more interesting than the debate, but less interesting than baseball. I still carry a grudge from 1982, so I will be rooting for the Giants.

Apologies to Tim as my rooting interests seldom work out.

Pastafarian said...

Nut shot on Putin. Boom.

Anonymous said...

Romney is being a motormouth.

furious_a said...

Flexibility for Vlad -- BOOM!

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Romney: You can't challenge my statements; I'm not an incumbent!!

TWM said...

Romney is rocking . . . no lies either.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Obama jumps in and helps himself tremendously.

Now Romney looks off balance.

clint said...

"Attacking me isn't a policy..."

-- liked that.

Petunia said...

I'm having chili, crescent rolls, pears, and spicy sliced dill pickles, with a Coke Zero.

Also watching MLB...SF up 2-0, bottom of the 3rd.

Gonna watch some MNF too...and listen to Chicago sports radio if da Bearsssss lose. I worry that Doug Buffone or Ed O'Bradovich will explode.

gail said...

I always think Romney is too polite, pausing when it looks like Obama wants to respond.

Obama "learned" about foreign policy....I'm thinking Romney learns faster!

Shouting Thomas said...

I don't agree with Obama, but he's winning big on this one.

wyo sis said...

We SHOULD still have troops in Iraq!
We have them in Germany for heaven's sake.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Putin is a true friend?

Mitch H. said...

"Motormouth" apparently means "finishing idea while the other guys on the panel are looking to interrupt", according to Inga.

Anonymous said...

YES, stop the nation building, how much has it cost us?

wyo sis said...

Look what happens to our ambassadors when we have no troops in a Mideast country.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Oh boy. Five points. A plan. Obama just threw ROmney off with that! Only Romney gets to have five-point plans!

TWM said...

"Romney is being a motormouth"

If that means he can string sentences together without "uhhh" every other word I agree.

Anonymous said...

Round one to Mittens

Palladian said...

I don't agree with Obama, but he's winning big on this one.

You have posted comments like this during every one of the debates!

Admit it! You love Obama!

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

That's right, TWM. Romney knows what to say before he even considers or hears what the facts are!

He's Just THAT awesome!!!

Anonymous said...

No more wars! He needs to send his OWN sons.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mitch H. said...

Oop, now Barry is blinking rapidly. I guess the eyeballs started seizing up.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Did Romney just say "Is-rul"?

Shouting Thomas said...

Palladian, I don't love Obama, but I'm tired of the wars.

I think that Romney knows that people are worn out with war. It's a tough hurdle for him.

Dan said...

Bob is treating this as an opportunity to interview Obama... a press conference at last!

TWM said...

"That's right, TWM. Romney knows what to say before he even considers or hears what the facts are!"

Give me an example of that so far here. You can do it.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Sounds like Romney's going to try to "fire" Assad.

Anonymous said...

Round two Draw.

TWM said...

"No more wars! He needs to send his OWN sons."

You mean the wars Obama continued after Bush left? The new one we are fighting in Libya Obama just bragged about?

Shouting Thomas said...

So far, it appears that there is little difference in what Obama and Romney would do.

Romney doesn't seem to be able to find a way to differentiate himself.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

San Francisco is scoring big...

5 - 0 in the bottom of the third.

Mitch H. said...

Obama loves bragging about arranging assassinations. Coward.

Anonymous said...

We should've stayed OUT of Libya.

Lyssa said...

He needs to send his OWN sons.

I love how liberals always seem to presume that parents own their children and can dictate their actions long past adulthood.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Will Romney haul world leaders into a board room before ousting them?

Anonymous said...

We should stay OUT of Syria.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Romney doesn't seem to be able to find a way to differentiate himself.

Duh. Because OBAMA'S where the moderate middle of the electorate IS. The rest of you have been dwelling in the right-wing fever swamps that Romney had to slog through before doing his 180-degree personality chip change.

Mitch H. said...

Inga's apparently decided to support Romney. Bah. Personally, I think Syria's a side-show. Iran's the schwerpunkt. Nobody's willing to punch the mullahs in the nose.

Almost Ali said...

Yeah. Let's give up war. And become girls. And when Jason comes for Halloween, let Hollywood worry about it.

Shouting Thomas said...

Schieffer threw a huge softball to Romney, asking him to launch a criticism of Obama's actions in Benghazi.

Romney declined to take a whack.

TWM said...

Our foreign policy sucks now. Just like our economy. You can argue that Barry will do better in the next four years but to say either is good now is nonsense. And actually arguing that he can do better is nonsense too.

kimsch said...

Palladian:

Interrobang ‽

& #8253 ; with no spaces...

edutcher said...

Inga said...

No more wars! He needs to send his OWN sons.

We already have one, the one Carter started, Willie muffed, and Zero has bungled so badly.

Funny how Oop has waited until this year to go all anti-war on us.

PS Barry could send Sushi and Mongolia to Labia if he wins.

But he's a Lefty so it doesn't count.

Scott M said...

Romney's trying to be level-headed an presidential, not to shake anything up here tonight.

That's because the momentum is his. In a draw, he wins.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

It could be that Romney over prepared.. it happened to Reagan.

Anonymous said...

Get ALL our troops out of Iraq and Afgansiatn.

Anonymous said...

And yes we still do have a presence in Iraq.

Jason said...

Schieffer threw a huge softball to Romney, asking him to launch a criticism of Obama's actions in Benghazi.

Romney declined to take a whack.


He doesnt need to. Everybody already knows.

Romney is acting the way he should tonight...as the frontrunner with 2 weeks to go. Make Obama seem like the petulant, confrontational one.

TWM said...

"He needs to send his OWN sons."

You think Barry would send in his daughters if they were old enough? Women are fighting over there, too.

Almost Ali said...

Yeah. Educate the women and let them fight the wars.

The "men" are tired, beaten, defeated.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Obama looks and talks like he takes his job seriously.

Romney just looks and talks like he wants what's good for his glorious run at the presidency.

Mitch H. said...

Boy, Obama's talking about middle-east corruption. Seeing as he's all about Mid-western Chicago corruption, that's pretty damn rich.

JohnBoy said...

So far, Obama gets his say, Romney gets a rebuttal and then Obama gets the final word. Great job Bob!

Damon said...

Libya is a dead horse. Nobody cares. Media has provided enough cover and misdirection that no hard-hitting points could possibly be made. Better for Romney though, it is still death by 1,000 cuts for Obama.

Mitch H. said...

Ritmo, do you need to go take a break in the men's room? I'm sure you'll have a clearer head if you squeeze one out and get it out of your system.

roesch/voltaire said...

As someone who is a frequent traveler to Europe and Asia, I can only relate that most folks I meet are very supportive of Obama and have a much better perception of America then ten years ago. And Obama's moderate careful position is one reason why.

Anonymous said...

No kidding, TWM. I know that very well.

Jason said...

Obama looks and talks like he takes his job seriously.

His golf stats show otherwise.

Chip Ahoy said...

Have the sibilant Ss blown out your eardrums yet?

Hahahaha I'm wearing my sibilant S blocker ear muffs. They make ssssssses go thhhhhhh that way I can listen to my prezzy dent.

Anonymous said...

Romney doesn't HAVE daughters.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

THat's the best you can do, Mitch? Doesn't sound like a vote of confidence for ROmney.

I've got an iron bladder, like Assad's dad.

BTW, Romney just confused Iran with Iraq. Wonder how well that will go over.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The Cardinals are getting buried.

clint said...

We have 42 allies around the world?

I'd love to know who made the list and who didn't.

(Romney can't help himself -- he has to cite numbers, just to prove he knows them.)

Anga2010 said...

Oh no! Giant's score another run on a muffed double play!!! UG

Anonymous said...

It's not a Town Hall, that's for sure. Much cooler all the way around, which is a good thing.

I would hate for the previous debate to be the new standard for future presidential debates.

Chip Ahoy said...

Our Roll in the world. Cinnamon stickies!

Shouting Thomas said...

No fireworks tonight. Pretty flat on both sides.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

ROmney wants to give America a penile implant.

clint said...

They're both trying to spin the conversation back to domestic policy. Interesting. I guess it makes sense, since it's what matters to the electorate.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, let's reinstate the draft for Romney's pet wars!

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

COrrection: He wants to sell America a penile implant.

TWM said...

"Romney doesn't HAVE daughters"

Don't get your point. Kids are kids.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Not that America needs one.

Almost Ali said...

"Obama looks and talks like he takes his job seriously."

That's a relief. Because up until this moment, it looked like his number one priority was keeping AirForoce-1 tooling around the country 24/7.

Jason said...

No fireworks tonight. Pretty flat on both sides.

Its because foreign policy, while important, isnt going to decide this election.

TWM said...

"Our alliances have never been stronger?" Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Obama just said "America is stronger now than when I came into office."

Ha!

clint said...

Q: What is America's role in the world?

Obama's A: To practice nation building here at home.

Huh?

Almost Ali said...

It 2008 all over again.

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