Thursday, October 4, 2012

Romney Wins First Debate

It is clear, Governor Romney won the first debate.  President Obama did get in a few good points, but overall it was Romney's night.  Romney did miss an opening "zinger" when President Obama said:
And so I just want to wish, Sweetie, you happy anniversary and let you know that a year from now we will not be celebrating it in front of 40 million people. 
Romney could have responded:
Mr. President, first off, congratulations on your 20th anniversary. I will do my best to make sure you spend your next one in Chicago and not in the White House.
While not a lot of substance to the statement, it would have been a bit of humor which would have resonated with the observers.

Another thing I noticed was that when President Obama was asked a direct question by Mr. Lehrer his response was almost every time a distraction to another subject.  Lehrer, in my humble opinion, should have then stated, "but my question was..." and then repeat the question.  Obama should not have been able to get away with the red herring tactic so easily with such an experience moderator (Lehrer has hosted the first presidential debate every time since 1988).

President Obama seemed to be stuck on Governor Romney allegedly planning a 5 trillion dollar tax cut, even after Romney repeatedly stated he has no such plan.  If Obama believed he indeed had such a plan then he should have been prepared with the facts of when Romney announced such a plan - rather than just keep repeating it is Romney's plan after Romney denied it (several times).

Now this was just the first debate, not the election.  There's still plenty of time for President Obama to rebound - but if he doesn't rebound from this, the swing is going in Romney's favor.

Full transcript of the debate can be found here:
http://www.timescall.com/ci_21693042/presidential-debate-running-transcript-obama-romney-square-off
 

Please feel free to add your own comments.

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