Presidential Debate Thread - Obama vs. Romney (2 Viewers)

[humpback]

So what words and phrases should be in the debate drinking game? "Apologize for America""Balanced Approach""Free Enterprise"Some combination of "built that"

"manufacturing jobs""availability of capital"and the winner..."job creator" or "Job creation"

"middle class" has to be up there as well.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Since tonight's debate deals with the economy, I am hoping that the 16 trillion dollar debt is addressed, since it is, IMO, the one issue which overwhelms all the others. If I were asking the questions, I would ask:

Obama: How does repealing the Bush tax cuts only on the top 5-10% make any dent whatsoever in the debt? You stated last summer that you would agree to spending cuts to entitlements in exchange for tax increases- what specific spending cuts to entitlements would you approve of? Why did you reject Bowles-Simpson, and what is your proposed alternative?

"Well, timschochet, I'm glad you asked me that question about THING X the debt. THING X The debt is one of the biggest questions facing our country today. In the plans I've outlined for THING X the debt, I think we need to buckle down and focus on eliminating the spending in our budget that doesn't work, and strengthening the things that do. We need to review everything about THING X the debt and really determine where we can make it better."

Romney: How will cutting taxes and increasing defense spending reduce the debt? You and Ryan have stated that the tax cuts will be offset by removing loopholes. What specific loopholes do you intend to remove?

"Well, timschochet, I'm glad you asked me that question about THING X the debt. THING X The debt is one of the biggest problems created by the Obama administration. In the plans I've outlined for THING X the debt, my administration would buckle down and focus on eliminating the spending in our budget that doesn't work, and strengthening the things that do. We need to review everything about THING X the debt and really determine where we can make it better."

I would also ask both candidates if they believe in man-made global warming, and what they propose to do about it.

I would also ask both candidates what specific plans they have to wean this nation off of petroleum, and how long that will take.

I hope all these questions get asked tonight.

"Well, timschochet, I'm glad you asked me that question about THING X energy independence. THING X Energy independence is one of the biggest questions facing our country today. In the plans I've outlined for THING X energy independence, I think we need to buckle down and focus on making THING X energy independence a priority for our great nation."

Obama's response."Well I am glad you asked that question. THING X is only solvable if we all come together as a nation. THING X has been around longer than my administration and one thing has become clear that this is going to take a bi-partisan effort to solve THING X. The solutions we come up with might not make make everyone happy - but lets make one thing clear America can do it and it is my administration that will lead the way."

 

[Run It Up]

I think ill go with "you're wrong"

 

[NCCommish]

Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate

How about when he paid for the Boston VA hospital's milk money for two years, anonymously.

Not sure you know what anonymously means.

You clearly don't know the story.

I do. When first told of the shelters need he joked "teach them to milk cows". That went over so well he got to apologize the next day. But he did come through reducing the milk bill of the shelter by 50%. Of course no one knows if he actually used his money or got a deal through his contacts. Either way a good deed in the long run and he is to be commended for that.

 

[squistion]

Teaching "empathy" to Mitt is like teaching Obama how to spend money. Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate and shouldn't even be in the conversation.

He writes off 47% of the country essentially as freeloaders living off people who pay taxes and who also who view themselves as victims. Yes, it is obvious that he really feels the pain of the 47%. And let's not forget that other great show of emphathy when he suggested that people without health care are OK because they can always go the ER (in fact Mitt said they will even pick you up at your apartment if you have a heart attack). What a guy! Counsellor Troy should be such an empath.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate

How about when he paid for the Boston VA hospital's milk money for two years, anonymously.

Not sure you know what anonymously means.

You clearly don't know the story.

When first told of the shelters need he joked "teach them to milk cows".

That is some real nice empathy.

 

[Don Quixote]

I hope they get into a fistfight

I think the FFA critical question is who would win a knife fight?

My Cliffs Notes only mention boxing and even that is only at 50%.

I was referring back to this thread: http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=653969

 

[jamny]

Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate

How about when he paid for the Boston VA hospital's milk money for two years, anonymously.

Not sure you know what anonymously means.

You clearly don't know the story.

When first told of the shelters need he joked "teach them to milk cows".

That is some real nice empathy.

His sense of humor definitely gets him in trouble. I like it though. You can't say anything these days. I don't know how we'll ever get any good candidates in the future with the way people pick on every little thing.

 

[NCCommish]

Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate

How about when he paid for the Boston VA hospital's milk money for two years, anonymously.

Not sure you know what anonymously means.

You clearly don't know the story.

When first told of the shelters need he joked "teach them to milk cows".

That is some real nice empathy.

His sense of humor definitely gets him in trouble. I like it though. You can't say anything these days. I don't know how we'll ever get any good candidates in the future with the way people pick on every little thing.

It was nearly twenty years ago that his little joke got him in trouble. He even felt the need to call and apologize for it. In the end he made a good thing happen though and really that's what matters.

 

[timschochet]

Neither of these candidates is particularly empathetic, not the way, for instance, Bill Clinton was. Though I regard Clinton as overall a pretty good President, I don't regard empathy as a necessary attribute.

 

[Joe T]

Neither of these candidates is particularly empathetic, not the way, for instance, Bill Clinton was. Though I regard Clinton as overall a pretty good President, I don't regard empathy as a necessary attribute.

Tim-I'll save you some time for tomorrow. Feel free to just cut and paste.

1. Obama did an awesome job. He showed leadership, poise, and why he is one of the greatest presidents of all time. I really liked his stance on immigration, tax policy, energy, the economy, health care, Bin Ladin, and that he hates the tea party as much as I do. He really is the obvious choice for president. It's too bad I can't vote for him.1.5 I thought Romney was awful. He didn't explain how reducing taxes and increasing military spending will lower the deficit. This troubles me. He paid lip service to too many crazy Tea Party and social conservatives ideas. We gotta stop allowing these crazies to have so much control over the party; it's destroying our electoral chances. Enough with this anti-illegal immigrant BS. Latinos supported Obama by 40 points! We need to get over this nonsense, come up with a path to citizenship, and stop antagonizing Latinos. I really hate Romney, but I have to vote for him. I don't agree with any of his policies and he is a snake in the grass, but he is our only hope.

/timscochit

 

[Todd Andrews]

Neither of these candidates is particularly empathetic, not the way, for instance, Bill Clinton was. Though I regard Clinton as overall a pretty good President, I don't regard empathy as a necessary attribute.

Tim-I'll save you some time for tomorrow. Feel free to just cut and paste.

1. Obama did an awesome job. He showed leadership, poise, and why he is one of the greatest presidents of all time. I really liked his stance on immigration, tax policy, energy, the economy, health care, Bin Ladin, and that he hates the tea party as much as I do. He really is the obvious choice for president. It's too bad I can't vote for him.

1.5 I thought Romney was awful. He didn't explain how reducing taxes and increasing military spending will lower the deficit. This troubles me. He paid lip service to too many crazy Tea Party and social conservatives ideas. We gotta stop allowing these crazies to have so much control over the party; it's destroying our electoral chances. Enough with this anti-illegal immigrant BS. Latinos supported Obama by 40 points! We need to get over this nonsense, come up with a path to citizenship, and stop antagonizing Latinos. I really hate Romney, but I have to vote for him. I don't agree with any of his policies and he is a snake in the grass, but he is our only hope.

/timsquishy

fixed

 

[Slapdash]

Drinking game

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate

How about when he paid for the Boston VA hospital's milk money for two years, anonymously.

Not sure you know what anonymously means.

You clearly don't know the story.

Let me guess - he really did want to remain anonymous, but someone was so overcome by his generosity that they just had to out him as the donor, right?

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate

How about when he paid for the Boston VA hospital's milk money for two years, anonymously.

Not sure you know what anonymously means.

You clearly don't know the story.

I do. When first told of the shelters need he joked "teach them to milk cows". That went over so well he got to apologize the next day. But he did come through reducing the milk bill of the shelter by 50%. Of course no one knows if he actually used his money or got a deal through his contacts. Either way a good deed in the long run and he is to be commended for that.

Definitely a good deed, but I stand by my earlier comment - I'm not taking seriously any sentence of the form: "[name] did [action] anonymously."

 

[jamny]

Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate

How about when he paid for the Boston VA hospital's milk money for two years, anonymously.

Not sure you know what anonymously means.

You clearly don't know the story.

Let me guess - he really did want to remain anonymous, but someone was so overcome by his generosity that they just had to out him as the donor, right?

It was two years before the guy found out who the donor was. You can continue in your pessimistic view since you just don't like Romney. I'll continue to look at is as a good thing he did because I do like Romney.

 

[timschochet]

Neither of these candidates is particularly empathetic, not the way, for instance, Bill Clinton was. Though I regard Clinton as overall a pretty good President, I don't regard empathy as a necessary attribute.

Tim-I'll save you some time for tomorrow. Feel free to just cut and paste.

1. Obama did an awesome job. He showed leadership, poise, and why he is one of the greatest presidents of all time. I really liked his stance on immigration, tax policy, energy, the economy, health care, Bin Ladin, and that he hates the tea party as much as I do. He really is the obvious choice for president. It's too bad I can't vote for him.1.5 I thought Romney was awful. He didn't explain how reducing taxes and increasing military spending will lower the deficit. This troubles me. He paid lip service to too many crazy Tea Party and social conservatives ideas. We gotta stop allowing these crazies to have so much control over the party; it's destroying our electoral chances. Enough with this anti-illegal immigrant BS. Latinos supported Obama by 40 points! We need to get over this nonsense, come up with a path to citizenship, and stop antagonizing Latinos. I really hate Romney, but I have to vote for him. I don't agree with any of his policies and he is a snake in the grass, but he is our only hope.

/timscochit

I doubt I would write most of those things about Obama. But otherwise, good job! You've summed up many of my views very nicely.

 

[Tuco]

So what words and phrases should be in the debate drinking game? "Apologize for America""Balanced Approach""Free Enterprise"Some combination of "built that"

"manufacturing jobs""availability of capital"and the winner..."job creator" or "Job creation"

"middle class" has to be up there as well.

"fair share"

 

[Run It Up]

Neither of these candidates is particularly empathetic, not the way, for instance, Bill Clinton was. Though I regard Clinton as overall a pretty good President, I don't regard empathy as a necessary attribute.

Why is that?It seems like to me at least it should be one of the most important qualities for a president.

 

[Jackstraw]

This debate needs Gary Johnson to spice things up with some pot decriminalization discussion. But you nerds would rather endlessly hash over these two suits' eye contact and body language.

Gary Johnson would just cut the other two candidates in half with the lazers he shoots out of his eyes. He can do anything. ANYTHING!

 

[timschochet]

Neither of these candidates is particularly empathetic, not the way, for instance, Bill Clinton was. Though I regard Clinton as overall a pretty good President, I don't regard empathy as a necessary attribute.

Why is that?It seems like to me at least it should be one of the most important qualities for a president.

I should restate: I don't regard the ability to express empathy to a television camera as a necessary attribute.We really don't know any of these guys. Like all public personalities, all we know is what the camera shows us, and this is largely reflective upon their ability to perform. They might be extremely warm-hearted people, or just the opposite, and there's no chance for us to find out.One thing is clear: despite George W. Bush trying to pass himself off as an ordinary guy that you want to share a beer with, NONE of these people are in the least bit "regular". In order to do this, to spend 18 hours a day shaking hands and repeating the same speeches over and over and over, you have to possess a fortitude that most people don't have. To even get to this position in the first place (that of major Presidential candidate in October of an election year) I'm convinced that you have to have some of the same qualities of a sociopath.

 

[Run It Up]

Neither of these candidates is particularly empathetic, not the way, for instance, Bill Clinton was. Though I regard Clinton as overall a pretty good President, I don't regard empathy as a necessary attribute.

Why is that?It seems like to me at least it should be one of the most important qualities for a president.

I should restate: I don't regard the ability to express empathy to a television camera as a necessary attribute.We really don't know any of these guys. Like all public personalities, all we know is what the camera shows us, and this is largely reflective upon their ability to perform. They might be extremely warm-hearted people, or just the opposite, and there's no chance for us to find out.One thing is clear: despite George W. Bush trying to pass himself off as an ordinary guy that you want to share a beer with, NONE of these people are in the least bit "regular". In order to do this, to spend 18 hours a day shaking hands and repeating the same speeches over and over and over, you have to possess a fortitude that most people don't have. To even get to this position in the first place (that of major Presidential candidate in October of an election year) I'm convinced that you have to have some of the same qualities of a sociopath.

In that case I agree. I don't believe having the capacity to show empathy to a television camera is necessary, but I believe openly empathizing with groups is important.

 

[LHUCKS]

This debate, the first debate, will be watched by 50-60 million Americans. The viewing audience for the other two debates, and the VP debate, goes wayyyy down. Given the increase in early voting, that means tonight is really Romney's last chance. He has to pick up 3-5 percentage points in Florida, Ohio, and the other swings. This is it.

the news monitor in our building elevator reported Florida at 47-46.I still wonder if these polls take into account how enegergized independents and conservatives are for this election.

 

[17seconds]

Mitt's empathy isn't up for debate

How about when he paid for the Boston VA hospital's milk money for two years, anonymously.

Not sure you know what anonymously means.

You clearly don't know the story.

Let me guess - he really did want to remain anonymous, but someone was so overcome by his generosity that they just had to out him as the donor, right?

It was two years before the guy found out who the donor was. You can continue in your pessimistic view since you just don't like Romney. I'll continue to look at is as a good thing he did because I do like Romney.

Both George Steinbrenner and Al Davis did these kinds of things. Just sayin....

 

[17seconds]

Neither of these candidates is particularly empathetic, not the way, for instance, Bill Clinton was. Though I regard Clinton as overall a pretty good President, I don't regard empathy as a necessary attribute.

Why is that?It seems like to me at least it should be one of the most important qualities for a president.

I should restate: I don't regard the ability to express empathy to a television camera as a necessary attribute.We really don't know any of these guys. Like all public personalities, all we know is what the camera shows us, and this is largely reflective upon their ability to perform. They might be extremely warm-hearted people, or just the opposite, and there's no chance for us to find out.One thing is clear: despite George W. Bush trying to pass himself off as an ordinary guy that you want to share a beer with, NONE of these people are in the least bit "regular". In order to do this, to spend 18 hours a day shaking hands and repeating the same speeches over and over and over, you have to possess a fortitude that most people don't have. To even get to this position in the first place (that of major Presidential candidate in October of an election year) I'm convinced that you have to have some of the same qualities of a sociopath.

In that case I agree. I don't believe having the capacity to show empathy to a television camera is necessary, but I believe openly empathizing with groups is important.

Agree. It's pretty much why Reagan and Clinton are thought of so highly.

 

[ericttspikes]

Hoping Mitt takes the torch from Newt and proposes his own Moon Base.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

This debate, the first debate, will be watched by 50-60 million Americans. The viewing audience for the other two debates, and the VP debate, goes wayyyy down. Given the increase in early voting, that means tonight is really Romney's last chance. He has to pick up 3-5 percentage points in Florida, Ohio, and the other swings. This is it.

the news monitor in our building elevator reported Florida at 47-46.I still wonder if these polls take into account how enegergized independents and conservatives are for this election.

I would probably fall into the conservative part of that sentence, and I'm not energized at all and haven't been since it was clear that Romney would be the nomination. This might be the first presidential debate in my lifetime when I really have no interest at all in watching any minute of it. Who knows? I'm not the target of the GOP anymore anyway and haven't been for some time. But, I will probably stay in this thread while the Yankees are on, so if Gary Johnson shows up to crash the party somehow, I will turn over for the entertainment value.

 

[LHUCKS]

Hoping Mitt takes the torch from Newt and proposes his own Moon Base.

trying to find the SNL moonbase skit now...can't find it.

 

[HellToupee]

I think I'll bypass the morass of negativity here in the ffa tonight

 

[LHUCKS]

This debate, the first debate, will be watched by 50-60 million Americans. The viewing audience for the other two debates, and the VP debate, goes wayyyy down. Given the increase in early voting, that means tonight is really Romney's last chance. He has to pick up 3-5 percentage points in Florida, Ohio, and the other swings. This is it.

the news monitor in our building elevator reported Florida at 47-46.I still wonder if these polls take into account how enegergized independents and conservatives are for this election.

I would probably fall into the conservative part of that sentence, and I'm not energized at all and haven't been since it was clear that Romney would be the nomination. This might be the first presidential debate in my lifetime when I really have no interest at all in watching any minute of it. Who knows? I'm not the target of the GOP anymore anyway and haven't been for some time. But, I will probably stay in this thread while the Yankees are on, so if Gary Johnson shows up to crash the party somehow, I will turn over for the entertainment value.

every fiscal conservative I know is pissed off or very concerned.

 

[LHUCKS]

I think I'll bypass the morass of negativity here in the ffa tonight

what's your other option?

 

[Parrothead]

So what words and phrases should be in the debate drinking game? "Apologize for America""Balanced Approach""Free Enterprise"Some combination of "built that"

"manufacturing jobs""availability of capital"and the winner..."job creator" or "Job creation"

"middle class" has to be up there as well.

"fair share"

"failed policies"

 

[Slapdash]

This debate, the first debate, will be watched by 50-60 million Americans. The viewing audience for the other two debates, and the VP debate, goes wayyyy down. Given the increase in early voting, that means tonight is really Romney's last chance. He has to pick up 3-5 percentage points in Florida, Ohio, and the other swings. This is it.

the news monitor in our building elevator reported Florida at 47-46.I still wonder if these polls take into account how enegergized independents and conservatives are for this election.

I would probably fall into the conservative part of that sentence, and I'm not energized at all and haven't been since it was clear that Romney would be the nomination. This might be the first presidential debate in my lifetime when I really have no interest at all in watching any minute of it. Who knows? I'm not the target of the GOP anymore anyway and haven't been for some time. But, I will probably stay in this thread while the Yankees are on, so if Gary Johnson shows up to crash the party somehow, I will turn over for the entertainment value.

every fiscal conservative I know is pissed off or very concerned.

So they're energized to vote for a guy that will make the fiscal situation even worse? Makes sense.

 

[LHUCKS]

So they're energized to vote for a guy that will make the fiscal situation even worse? Makes sense.

Christ, here we go with the Dems playing this bogus card.Also, I said they're energized, I didn't say who they were voting for.

 

[NCCommish]

This debate, the first debate, will be watched by 50-60 million Americans. The viewing audience for the other two debates, and the VP debate, goes wayyyy down. Given the increase in early voting, that means tonight is really Romney's last chance. He has to pick up 3-5 percentage points in Florida, Ohio, and the other swings. This is it.

the news monitor in our building elevator reported Florida at 47-46.I still wonder if these polls take into account how enegergized independents and conservatives are for this election.

I would probably fall into the conservative part of that sentence, and I'm not energized at all and haven't been since it was clear that Romney would be the nomination. This might be the first presidential debate in my lifetime when I really have no interest at all in watching any minute of it. Who knows? I'm not the target of the GOP anymore anyway and haven't been for some time. But, I will probably stay in this thread while the Yankees are on, so if Gary Johnson shows up to crash the party somehow, I will turn over for the entertainment value.

every fiscal conservative I know is pissed off or very concerned.

So they're energized to vote for a guy that will make the fiscal situation even worse? Makes sense.

This is what kills me about the alleged fiscal conservatives. They want to vote for a guy who blows a huge hole in the budget.

 

[Willie Neslon]

We have a button on our tv that lets you see the words people are saying if you turn the volume down or have no sound. My wife and I are debating an idea where i will turn the tv away from her and read to her what candidates romney and obama are saying but not telling her who is saying them. I think it is easy to get wrapped up in how people look when they say something or how they say it rather then just their words and the ideas behind them. Then my wife will keep score on which answers she thinks are best and will have a totally unbiased scorecard at the end of the night. Obviously i cannot tip her off as to who is answering the questions so I will have to skip the parts when they mention the names. I'm trying to practice right now but can't find a show that would be similar to the debate. It's gonna be a fun night and I picked up some chicken and dumplings to heat up later.

 

[Slapdash]

So they're energized to vote for a guy that will make the fiscal situation even worse? Makes sense.

Christ, here we go with the Dems playing this bogus card.Also, I said they're energized, I didn't say who they were voting for.

Please describe how Romeney is going to reduce the budget deficit while cutting tax rates 20%, increasing defense spending, and reversing 700B worth of cuts to Medicare. Include links to your sources.

 

[Slapdash]

This debate, the first debate, will be watched by 50-60 million Americans. The viewing audience for the other two debates, and the VP debate, goes wayyyy down. Given the increase in early voting, that means tonight is really Romney's last chance. He has to pick up 3-5 percentage points in Florida, Ohio, and the other swings. This is it.

the news monitor in our building elevator reported Florida at 47-46.I still wonder if these polls take into account how enegergized independents and conservatives are for this election.

I would probably fall into the conservative part of that sentence, and I'm not energized at all and haven't been since it was clear that Romney would be the nomination. This might be the first presidential debate in my lifetime when I really have no interest at all in watching any minute of it. Who knows? I'm not the target of the GOP anymore anyway and haven't been for some time. But, I will probably stay in this thread while the Yankees are on, so if Gary Johnson shows up to crash the party somehow, I will turn over for the entertainment value.

every fiscal conservative I know is pissed off or very concerned.

So they're energized to vote for a guy that will make the fiscal situation even worse? Makes sense.

This is what kills me about the alleged fiscal conservatives. They want to vote for a guy who blows a huge hole in the budget.

Just saw this blog post by the pinko-commies at George Mason that fits well here:

Why the GOP is the Bigger Default Risk

Garett Jones

Because Democrats really, really believe in death panels. Steve Rattner, a former Obama Administration official, used the term (presumably as a form of gallows humor) in the Times a few weeks ago.

Rattner's piece hits some of the same themes as the New England Journal of Medicine essay on "global spending targets" coauthored by Obama Administration officials that I discussed earlier. And it's a reminder: For whatever reason, Democrats are serious about cutting health care spending the way the GOP is serious about cutting taxes. Democrats walked the plank for it once and I predict they'll do it again and again.

If I'm a bondholder, I like people who cut costs and raise revenue. Note that I'm using the word "revenue" not "taxes." To a Treasury bondholder, you and I are mere sources of net cash flow, not moral agents with inherent human rights. Contra Jessie J's catchy tune, it's all about the money.

Some think the GOP is better on spending. Possibly, but to them I invoke Bruce Bartlett's aphorism: The GOP is the Party of Medicare. Since Medicare is the biggest long-term spending problem, Medicare is the spending issue that matters most to Treasury bondholders.

The Ryan plan is evidence that the GOP has a wing devoted to cutting the growth of spending over the long haul. And his proposal for Medicare premium support or vouchers or whatever you call it would be better for the majority of citizens than a single government-managed plan.

But again: Bondholders don't care about your well-being. Bondholders care about getting paid.

And as Ezra Klein notes, the Dems already cut $700 billion out of Medicare. The proof of the pudding is in the brutal, voter-enraging legislation they've already passed. So on health care spending, we should perhaps declare D's and R's about tied from a bondholder's point of view.

If the two parties are roughly tied on their willingness to control the most important spending component, and one party is much more willing to bring me revenue, which party should I as a bondholder favor?

Coda: Best argument against my claim: House Speaker John Boehner. After the budget negotiations failed, he came to the floor of the House and told his caucus "I put revenues on the table" (just listen to the first 20 seconds). When Treasury bondholders heard those words--spoken in public--I'm guessing they breathed a sigh of relief.

This, bondholders surely thought, is a man we can work with.

 

[roadkill1292]

We have a button on our tv that lets you see the words people are saying if you turn the volume down or have no sound. My wife and I are debating an idea where i will turn the tv away from her and read to her what candidates romney and obama are saying but not telling her who is saying them. I think it is easy to get wrapped up in how people look when they say something or how they say it rather then just their words and the ideas behind them. Then my wife will keep score on which answers she thinks are best and will have a totally unbiased scorecard at the end of the night. Obviously i cannot tip her off as to who is answering the questions so I will have to skip the parts when they mention the names. I'm trying to practice right now but can't find a show that would be similar to the debate. It's gonna be a fun night and I picked up some chicken and dumplings to heat up later.

I try to not watch when the president makes a national speech. I'd rather read what he said the next day and take the emotion out of it.

 

[Willie Neslon]

We have a button on our tv that lets you see the words people are saying if you turn the volume down or have no sound. My wife and I are debating an idea where i will turn the tv away from her and read to her what candidates romney and obama are saying but not telling her who is saying them. I think it is easy to get wrapped up in how people look when they say something or how they say it rather then just their words and the ideas behind them. Then my wife will keep score on which answers she thinks are best and will have a totally unbiased scorecard at the end of the night. Obviously i cannot tip her off as to who is answering the questions so I will have to skip the parts when they mention the names. I'm trying to practice right now but can't find a show that would be similar to the debate. It's gonna be a fun night and I picked up some chicken and dumplings to heat up later.

I try to not watch when the president makes a national speech. I'd rather read what he said the next day and take the emotion out of it.

Yep. That way you get to hear the ideas instead of watching a performance on what he is reading.

 

[RCon]

Since tonight's debate deals with the economy, I am hoping that the 16 trillion dollar debt is addressed, since it is, IMO, the one issue which overwhelms all the others. If I were asking the questions, I would ask:

Obama: How does repealing the Bush tax cuts only on the top 5-10% make any dent whatsoever in the debt? You stated last summer that you would agree to spending cuts to entitlements in exchange for tax increases- what specific spending cuts to entitlements would you approve of? Why did you reject Bowles-Simpson, and what is your proposed alternative?

"Well, timschochet, I'm glad you asked me that question about THING X the debt. THING X The debt is one of the biggest questions facing our country today. In the plans I've outlined for THING X the debt, I think we need to buckle down and focus on eliminating the spending in our budget that doesn't work, and strengthening the things that do. We need to review everything about THING X the debt and really determine where we can make it better."

Romney: How will cutting taxes and increasing defense spending reduce the debt? You and Ryan have stated that the tax cuts will be offset by removing loopholes. What specific loopholes do you intend to remove?

"Well, timschochet, I'm glad you asked me that question about THING X the debt. THING X The debt is one of the biggest problems created by the Obama administration. In the plans I've outlined for THING X the debt, my administration would buckle down and focus on eliminating the spending in our budget that doesn't work, and strengthening the things that do. We need to review everything about THING X the debt and really determine where we can make it better."

I would also ask both candidates if they believe in man-made global warming, and what they propose to do about it.

I would also ask both candidates what specific plans they have to wean this nation off of petroleum, and how long that will take.

I hope all these questions get asked tonight.

"Well, timschochet, I'm glad you asked me that question about THING X energy independence. THING X Energy independence is one of the biggest questions facing our country today. In the plans I've outlined for THING X energy independence, I think we need to buckle down and focus on making THING X energy independence a priority for our great nation."

Obama's response."Well I am glad you asked that question. THING X is only solvable if we all come together as a nation. THING X has been around longer than my administration and one thing has become clear that this is going to take a bi-partisan effort to solve THING X. The solutions we come up with might not make make everyone happy - but lets make one thing clear America can do it and it is my administration that will lead the way."

 

[RBM]

This debate, the first debate, will be watched by 50-60 million Americans. The viewing audience for the other two debates, and the VP debate, goes wayyyy down. Given the increase in early voting, that means tonight is really Romney's last chance. He has to pick up 3-5 percentage points in Florida, Ohio, and the other swings. This is it.

the news monitor in our building elevator reported Florida at 47-46.I still wonder if these polls take into account how enegergized independents and conservatives are for this election.

I would probably fall into the conservative part of that sentence, and I'm not energized at all and haven't been since it was clear that Romney would be the nomination. This might be the first presidential debate in my lifetime when I really have no interest at all in watching any minute of it. Who knows? I'm not the target of the GOP anymore anyway and haven't been for some time. But, I will probably stay in this thread while the Yankees are on, so if Gary Johnson shows up to crash the party somehow, I will turn over for the entertainment value.

You're in the minority. Conservatives, ALL Republicans are energized at the thought of preventing another four of Obama. Doesn't have much to do with Romney at this point. I happen to like Romney and think he is a capable guy, so that's a bonus.

 

[RBM]

We have a button on our tv that lets you see the words people are saying if you turn the volume down or have no sound. My wife and I are debating an idea where i will turn the tv away from her and read to her what candidates romney and obama are saying but not telling her who is saying them. I think it is easy to get wrapped up in how people look when they say something or how they say it rather then just their words and the ideas behind them. Then my wife will keep score on which answers she thinks are best and will have a totally unbiased scorecard at the end of the night. Obviously i cannot tip her off as to who is answering the questions so I will have to skip the parts when they mention the names. I'm trying to practice right now but can't find a show that would be similar to the debate. It's gonna be a fun night and I picked up some chicken and dumplings to heat up later.

You're starting to remind me of Jack Handy.

 

[Willie Neslon]

We have a button on our tv that lets you see the words people are saying if you turn the volume down or have no sound. My wife and I are debating an idea where i will turn the tv away from her and read to her what candidates romney and obama are saying but not telling her who is saying them. I think it is easy to get wrapped up in how people look when they say something or how they say it rather then just their words and the ideas behind them. Then my wife will keep score on which answers she thinks are best and will have a totally unbiased scorecard at the end of the night. Obviously i cannot tip her off as to who is answering the questions so I will have to skip the parts when they mention the names. I'm trying to practice right now but can't find a show that would be similar to the debate. It's gonna be a fun night and I picked up some chicken and dumplings to heat up later.

You're starting to remind me of Jack Handy.

The driver?

 

[CBusAlex]

So what words and phrases should be in the debate drinking game?

1 drink"Reagan"

"Bain"

"failed policies"

"let me be clear"

"47 percent"

"socialism", or any variant thereof

"wall street" and "main street" used in the same sentance

Any reference to "you didn't build that"

Any comparison of the aliveness of Bin Laden and GM

Any time one candidate accuses the other of sending jobs to China

Any time a candidate takes the opposite position of one they previously held

Any time CNN uses technology for the sake of using technology

5 drinks

"War on women"

"Legitimate rape"

"Reverend Wright"

"Teleprompter"

Any analogy involving a car in a ditch

Finish your beer, take a shot, and take a bong hit

"Birth certificate"

"57 states"

"Seamus the dog"

Any comparison of homosexuality to pedophilia or beastiality

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Not sure if I'll watch.

I'm not going to bother. This election is pretty much over already, and I figure if anything game-changing happens I'll be able to catch up tomorrow morning.

Cmon!This thread needs you two.I'm almost jealous. I can't NOT watch at this point.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Topic setup should favor Romney or at least give him his best shot at making up ground.

 

[Zeff]

Obama will say absolutely nothing of value whatsoever, but will be smooth and professional in doing so.

Romney will also say absolutely nothing of value whatsoever, but will appear stiff, agitated, and often smug while doing so, and if he actually resorts to attempting "zingers," will be so awkward in doing so that he'll make McCain look like George Carlin.

Since the debates are really nothing more than screen tests for a voting public incapable of discerning between national level politics and America's Got Talent, it's pretty much Obama's to lose.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Nate Silver earlier:

There are no guarantees for Mitt Romney, and if he makes gains in the polls following Wednesday night’s debate in Denver, they will probably be fairly modest. But if historical precedent is any guide, he is more likely than not to see his standing improve at least some.

Goes on to show that in seven of the last nine elections the challenger has gained ground in the polls following the first debate. The average gain across all nine elections is 1.5%. That would be huge for Romney right now -- almost cutting Obama's lead in half.

 

[lakerstan]

I simply can't WAIT to hear the networks explain how the dial works to the 20 undecideds sitting in the studio.

Queue Wolf Blizter hologram.. "We are the most trusted name in news. Now watch that blue line - as we've told you 30 times already - that represents the President. Watch it go up as he mentions Kit Kat bars. James Carville - what is your take on Kit Kat bars? Stand by. We are the most trusted name in news. We'll be reviewing Mitt Romney's line in 3 minutes, so stand by. And stand by, because we are the most trusted name in news."