Monday marked the 3rd and final debate between President Obama and former Governor Romney. This debate was aimed to focus on their views on foreign policy. This debate was rather boring and somewhat off topic as both candidates tried to talk more on domestic affairs rather than the foreign policies. There weren't many jaw dropping "oh my god did he really just say that?" comments made during this debate as there had been in the second debate. What surprised me was Mitt Romney's strategy of being a victim of malicious attacks by the President. Two times during the debate he went on the defense saying that "attacking me is not an agenda". Really Mr. Romney? What a way to play the people. Was it not you who constantly attacked the President and the moderators with your rudeness and temperamental ways? I guess he achieved what his camp wanted; to have him appear calm and collected. Unfortunately for him he appeared too calm and not so collected. He, like always, had no detailed plans for his foreign policies. He seemed to repeat in different words exactly what the President was saying. The President was on top of his game and ready for another battle, though he was not going to get an opponent this time. He was the only one to make some remarks that stood out to me. Mitt Romney over and over made comments on how President Obama reduced the size of the navy, which he felt was a mistake. The President shot back by saying, "Well Governor we also have fewer horses and bayonets". Referring to the fact that our technology has been enhanced and that we now have aircraft carriers, submarines, and that the navy is not a replication of the game Battleship, it is not about quantity it is about quality.
Overall this debate was rather boring, as I looked forward to some more trends for twitter and other gaffes by Mitt Romney to laugh about. Count down till the 6th of November. Go out and VOTE!!!
The second debate between the President of the United States and former Governor Romney was held in Hempstead, New York. The meeting of the two was set up to resemble a town hall meeting with the questions being asked by undecided voters. The Chief Political Correspondent of CNN, Candy Crowley, was the moderator of this debate. She did an exceptional job keeping the two to around their 2 minute response times and on topic for the most part.
Unlike the first debate, President Obama was awake and ready for the debate. I almost want to use the word fight due to the setting of the stage, the opponents, and how they, at one point, circled each other ready to duke it out. You could just tell by looking at the two that they could really care less for one another. This time around after the debate they did not greet each others families. They went to separate sides of the stage and greeted potential voters and supporters. Not surprisingly though after this much heated debate between the two.
During the 90 minutes both the President and former Governor gave many contributions to the nights' twitter/internet memes. The President also put forth many quips focused at former Governor Romney. There wasn't a dull moment for either candidate in terms of the quick wit and fact fullness of Obama, or the stumbling Romney and his weird choices of words. Here are some highlights during the debate that came from Romney: -"You'll get your chance in a moment" -"Whole Binders full of women" -"I want to keep our Pell Grant program growing" - his insistence that the President took 14 days to announce attacks in Libya were in fact terrorists. - his seemingly accusations against single parent households for the gun violence. Besides the normal interruptions of former Governor Romney and rudeness that he portrays, Mitt seemed to stumble around issues and didn't seem to know the facts behind his attacks. Case in point is when he argued continuously about when Obama said that the attacks in Libya were terrorists. Obama said he did the next day when they found out but Mitt kept arguing and bringing up that it took 14 days, Finally Candy interrupted and shut Mitt Romney down and said that in fact the President did call those attacks terrorist. I don't think this man knows any facts behind his attacks nor the issues he was questioned about. His entire story about wanting more women in his offices is a joke. About as big a joke as his comment of having "whole binders full of women", which became a popular meme instantly. Romney also did not seem to understand peoples' names (Lorraine) or questions (The AK-47). Speaking of the AK-47 question Romney brought up parents to, basically, be blamed for the gun violence. He took the opportunity to say, "Gosh, to tell our kids that before they have babies, they ought to think about getting married to someone, that's a great idea.". This took twitter by storm as well especially because most took it as to him attacking single mothers. Needless to say Romney needs to get his facts straight and think about the words and the ways they come out of his mouth. Obama was on point all night and here are some highlights from him: -"Romney has a 1 point plan" -"I'm used to being interrupted" (To Candy about the former Gov.) -"I don't look at my pension that often , it is not as big as yours" - Mentions the 47% comment from Romney -"Governor, you're the last person who is going to get tough on China" There are so many moments that the President made me proud. I loved all the quips and jabs he took at Romney. I also thought about how he takes the blame on the attacks in Libya shows tremendous leadership. He stated, "The suggestion that anybody in my team, whether the Secretary of State,
our U.N. Ambassador, anybody on my team would play politics or mislead
when we’ve lost four of our own, governor, is offensive. That’s not what we do. That’s not what I do as president,
that’s not what I do as Commander in Chief." President Obama won this debate for sure. What a mass improvement from the first debate that's for sure. So proud of that man and hope he will do as good or better in the third debate on Monday. Let's see if Romney can get his facts together and works on his choice of words if he wants to win the next one. Until Monday.......
I must retract my previous statement about Ryan crushing Biden. That was not the case at all in this weeks Vice Presidential Debate. Sadly I could not make it due to scheduling conflicts but I did watch it from my home. I think the seating of the candidates and the moderator was much better than the placement of the President, Governor, and the moderator in the Presidential debate. The moderator Martha Raddatz was phenomenal in my opinion. Not only did she keep the candidates within or around their two minute limit she asked many questions, trying to get at the truth and plans of each party if elected. I really liked how she would interrupt either candidate and ask a more in depth question over the issue they spoke about. I also loved the fact that she would give her insight on certain topics she knew a lot about and that she called them out when specifics weren't given and when she asked how and if the math would add up. At one point she asked Rep. Ryan “No specifics, then?” about his ticket’s tax plan. “Can
you guarantee this math will add up?... How do you do that?... I wanna
know how you do the math.” (Washington Post). Now the Republican Party thought she was being unfair and more on the side with Biden, but I see where she is coming from and what many Americans are themselves asking.
What exactly are the specific plans that they are going to carry out if Romney becomes President and Ryan becomes Vice President. In the two debates neither candidate would elaborate on their plans. So finally what I have been screaming to the television during these debates was actually asked. Thank you Martha! She called it how it was and kept each party to the subject interjecting if they got off topic.
I know there was a lot of talk from the Republican camp that brought up Biden's laughing and rolling his eyes. If Romney's smirks and smug faces were seen as friendly how in the world were Biden's facial expressions worth the attention. I think that Biden's continuous laughter and faces were due to the fact that Rep. Ryan was so full of crap and hot air that it was amusing to hear. Ryan talked in circles, sorry stammered in circles with lies so how is that not amusing. Well according to twitter and other polls the debate was a draw. Let's see how the President and Governor perform at the next debate and we'll see where the standings go from there. Hopefully we can get at more facts, plans, and truth for the American people.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
I recently watched the Presidential Debate that occurred on Wednesday 3rd, 2012. I also decided to wait and listen to what America had to say before commenting myself. I, like most, thought President Obama would have come out guns a blazing and ready to crush Governor Romney. That was not the case. Contrary to what others were saying I didn't see Governor Romney with those guns either. There was, in my opinion, no concise winner. Lets start with President Obama. He did seem a little reserved and surprisingly nonchalant. As he is/was up in the polls I could understand where he didn't want to go all out and say something that could hurt his standings. As America is saying though, it did just that. His demeanor and reservedness presented manners and politeness, especially since he seemed to be getting cut off quite a bit. At one point he spoke up against one of his many cutoffs letting the mediator know he still had 5 seconds. I for one thought that Barack would have brought up the 47% comment, that was in the leaked video of Mitt Romney's speech. I did however like the fact that even though Romney tried to deny the $5 trillion dollar tax cut President Obama kept bringing it up sticking it to him. Lets move on to Governor Mitt Romney. Everyone seemed to deem him the clear winner of the debate. Yes I will give credit where credit is deserved. He was present and ready for the fight. He was smiling and persistent in his rebuttals and shots at the President.The smiles I found were smug and full of a "I'm better than you" like attitude. He was worse than the mediator with his multiple interruptions and continuous cutoffs. I found both the President and Governor to have many important topics and plans for America that they explained. What I did enjoy though was the follow up after the debate that broke down their words and told the real truth. President Obama kept bringing up that in Mitt Romney's plans for America was a $5 trillion dollar tax cut. All the while Romney kept denying and claiming that it was completely untrue. Well he was right it wasn't $5 trillion. Obama was lying the whole time he brought it up. How could he? The actual plan is only $4.8 trillion. Duh! So Romney wasn't lying. Romney also lied about his plans on cutting education if elected. He has been heard to say to his campaign donors that he will make the education fund smaller. President Obama did not outright lie about anything. He did say he had a $4 trillion dollar deficit reduction plan in place. About $2 trillion of that is already in the works and not part of the "if I get elected" plan. What really kills me is that they are giving style points. Style points? Really? Shouldn't this debate be based on what is said and the contents of the words that are being spoken. Not "oh Mitt Romney was smiling and happy" and "Obama was tired and not confident". Who cares what they look like. Lets listen to what they are saying or not saying. All I heard was the Mitt Romney talking circles over the issues he was asked about. That is if it wasn't circles it was lies. I have never heard this man give a detailed statement about what it is he is GOING to do if elected President. All I hear is "I'm going to create jobs" I'm going to replace Obamacare" "I'm going to repeal the Dodd-Frank Plan". Okay and just like President Obama asked was HOW? Okay sure we can say we are going to do these things but people say a lot of things, that doesn't mean they will or have any real plans to follow through. What I came away from this debate thinking is that Obama needs to bring his A-game for the next two debates. Mitt Romney needs to leave his lies, smug smile, and bring some actual plans and facts (true not fabricated) to the table. This was an okay beginning and its got to get better from here. What I'm also interested to see is the Vice Presidential debate which I will be taking part of on the grounds outside of Centre College. I do not like Ryan, but I think he will sadly crush Biden. Can't say for sure we will have to see. Wonder if any facts will get accounted for or are we going to base this election on who has more style and is smiling more?
