Okay, so I’ve watched the first debate three times now.
Why are you shocked, I’m geeky like that.
Anyway, in case you missed it, or just want to watch it again, The First Presidential Debate.
Quite honestly, I found the debate rather boring, sans shaking my head at the false facts being thrown around repeatedly, esepcially the $716 million and 5 trillion number. Anyone remember “locked box” and “fuzzy math?” I’m not going to list them all, you can go read all about them at PolitiFact, Factcheck, CNN and NPR. I’m sure Fox has their own brand of fact checking as well, but I’m guessing they’re more interested in the touting of Christie/Palin 2020 to be bothered with what’s going on right now.
But I digress.
Oh to be a fly on the wall (very HIGH up on the wall) when President Obama walked off the stage and greeted his Senior staff. I don’t deign to speak for anyone, but if I were writing the script, I think the convo would go a little something like this:
President: Who the F*** was that?
Staffer: I have no idea.
President: We didn’t prep for him. I don’t know who he is.
Staffer: Neither do we.
First Lady: Why didn’t you go after him? Why did you let him take the ball and run with it. Why did you let him continue to make you go right?
President: Who the hell was that?
That’s my way of saying that although some say Obama look disinterested, while others say he seemed angry, to me, he seemed shell shocked. I know I was. Just as soon as we’re sure we’ve seen all the faces of Romney, he creates a new one. If Marvel doesn’t pattern a villain after him, they are missing a choice opportunity.
To his credit, Romney showed up to play and win, and he was successful. He managed to be engaging, even though it was in an almost-parental and definitely patronizing manner. And I think he was well on his way to winning over some of those Independents and undecideds…
Until he stated he was going to fire Big Bird. For many, that’s when the wheels came off the bus. Romney stated that he would cut funding to PBS to help balance the budget. Hum. Cutting $26 million out of trillions of dollars is as helpful as going to the grocery store, buying $200 worth of food, and plopping down a 50-cent coupon. Leave Big Bird and Downton Abbey alone!
Another issue: I still don’t know what his plans are. Yes, I know he has a plan. Yes, I know he has websites and YouTube videos to explain the plan. But it might have been smart if Romney, oh I don’t know, spent less time mowing over Lehrer so he could chant $716 million, and more time outlining what his plans actually are. Not everyone goes on the Internet. No, really, it’s true.
Romney made the comment that he could not understand why Obama spent his first two years in office going after Obamacare, when jobs were desperately needed. I have a question for Mr.Romney: Why did congress spend the last two years trying to repeal Obamacare instead of voting on the jobs bill? Yeah, exactly.
So, did Romney win or did Obama lose?
No, really there is a difference. I understand why everyone says Romney won the debate. But which Romney did we see last night? Since he changes stances more than a Diva changes clothes, it is hard to really say Romney won. But it is clear to me that Obama did not win. Obama wasn’t prepared for what Romney brought to the stage. I don’t think anyone was prepared for what Romney pulled off last night. The fact of the matter, is that Obama does not like to confront his opponents. He prefers a more relaxed approach. However, Obama is not engaged in a gentleman’s debate. This is a street fight, and he just got his butt handed to him. Now that the President realizes this, expect him to come out swinging next time. As for Romney, who knows what to expect next. Maybe he’ll hire some of the Muppets he plans to fire to debate for him.
The Classic Quill 