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Subscribe to RSSAs the first debate between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney kicks off in Denver, NBC Politics takes you behind the scenes and captures the social media reaction using Storify. To join the discussion, follow @NBCPolitics on Twitter and include #NBCPolitics in your tweets. And click here for even more ways to follow the debate.
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Obama = FAILURE
Maybe if he was given the same amount of time Dork is, he would be able to speak. So far he has been interrupted and the moderator isn't moderating.
Can anybody explain what was wrong with the American flag romney wore on his suit jacket during the debate? It looked like it had a black mark in the middle of it? What does that refer to?
Debate? My call? Obama won as an adult. To me, Mitt Romney's smile appeared ingratiating and supercilious at the same time -- not the adult in the room.
BarbieD is the perfect example of the typical uninformed Obama supporter. The president had over 4 and a half minutes MORE speaking time than Romney according to CNN's clock.
Obama busted Romney wide open when he came back on medical insurance companies and their outrageous profits, that he liked his Obamacare just fine and when he answered firmly that big oil needs to stop getting the big tax breaks. His answers were of substance offering real knowledge and information, not big promises and would dos. To the informed, Obama did better and was more well mannered answering what was asked of him and unable to speak back to some of Romney's accusations, especially on renewable energy and finance reform, both of which have been smart and good achievements to benefit the American People. First one, giving us energy independence, less pollution. Second one, giving us protection against loan sharks. See:
http://www.theislandnow.com/opinions/article_0618f28e-fdde-11e1-aa04-0019bb2963f4.html
Some moderator! Jim's bias is extremely obvious.
I heard the same amount of detail from Romney that I've heard the entire campaign....NONE! If anything, he seems to agree with most of what Obama proposes and has accomplished. I'm still wondering what he really believes, as it seems to change every time he speaks
Obama does not say what he will do only what he thinks Rommey will do. Lots of feel good stuff but no substance.
Obama needs to use Willards words against him and get tougher on this guy. It's time to put him away for good!
Trying: You obviously did not listen to the debate, only to what fox told you to think. On numerous occaisions Obama spelled out his plans and proposals. Romney gave vague answers and repeated lies. Point Obama
Romney is such a looser! If your 50 years old romey would take away your social security period!
BAM! Romey has already taken this one! If I was undecided before, I would not be now. The media can not spin this one!
Except that Mr. Romney went against the views he has proposed before, on Medicare, ObamaCare, taxes, etc. this looks like his etch-a-sketch moment. He reversed just about everything. Much of which goes against his on party platform.
I wonder if the GOP will let him campaign like this just to win and then pull his chain or if the campaign will walk it back like they have been doing any time he says something 'moderate'?
Obama is shook, yo!! He looks sick...got the nervous/fake grin goin...repeating stock lines over and over...hemmin and hawin. You know he'd give anything to be standin across from G-dub right about now.
Obama is losing this debate with every comment! He obviously is out of his league! This debate will push the independents to Romney.
Did you watch the same debate? Romney was pushy, a bully, and obviously felt the rules of the debate didn't apply to him.
Funny that NJ Christie said the debate would be a game changer for Romney...he probably coached Romney on how to emanate him by being a insufferable overbearing bully. The only thing missing was the trademark Christie name calling.
Romney should consider an acting career instead....as he seems quite able to be the character he needs to be depending upon who he is playing to..
..yeah like obummer does'nt believe the constitution or democracy apply to him! You are one of the 47%??
The media can't run from this one! For once, they just might have to be honest with their reporting of this debate, because it's totally obvious that Obama has lost this debate.
Romney did much better in this debate and I still plan to vote for Obama.
What's it matter what Rmoney says anyway? He just changes it the next time you hear him speak. White man speaks with forked tongue.
Gov Romney.....Excellent performance......Two more like this and Obama is history come November.
Thank God.
It definitely was a performance. Romney denied tonight things he said in the past, came up with something new to say tonight, and will be coming up with yet something else tomorrow, depending on whether he is speaking to his rich cronies or the average joe.
Yes, Linda, I read that Mitt was coached and well rehearsed. That's why he had some new lines. There is a difference between real leadership and acting a part.
Romney sounded desperate but he did do better. By the look of the President, I felt like he kinda allowed Romney to have his say.
Lehrer was a disaster. He lost control in the first two minutes and never recovered. Obama was much too polite. Romney was ugly in his assertiveness over the process. And he won the day.
Romney was an assertive bully! Nothing more!!
Romney did well because he has absolutely no problem with lying through his teeth! The President was very gracious not to hammer Myth with the facts. Myth thinks that he can buy anything and anyone but there are still ethical people in this country who see through his lies and arrogance. He was so smug and proud of himself, but our president has a reputation for patience and timing. Just ask Bin Laden and Gadhafi1
Obama did a greatttt job...I don't know what you all were looking at or listening to. Romney didn't answer any questions or give any specifics to anything that was discussed tonight.
Eliminate PBS and Big Bird - Another reason I won't vote for Romney!
President Obama proved his case today. Gov Romney was aggressive and over bearing. He changes his position to match his audience. This is no way to run the Country. How can we believe anything he says.
My feelings exactly!
The moderator was awful. Did not have a handle on any part of it. Really didn't need him. President Obama and Mr. Romney could have "duked it out" on their own.
Romney at times looked like a bully. He told blatant untruths just about every time he spoke. The rules of this debate didn't apply to Romney.
I actually expected this. Romney backtracked on just about everything in his own party's platform. A complete reversal of what he's been campaigning on. It will be interesting to see if the campaign lets it stand because they have been losing. I posted yesterday I wondered exactly which 'Mitt' we would see tonight. And as I expected it was the 'moderate' Mitt.
My biggest fear is that many will believe THIS Mitt and the GOP will wait to reign him in until after he wins. I certainly wouldnt put it past them.
Which means that those of us who favor the President must redouble our efforts to get the vote out.
Romney is pushy and bossy, childish and lying. He wanted to be presidential and authoritative. FAIL.
Obama means just continue on the path to nowhere; we need a change and Romney offers a differing alternative that seems very, very viable.
Newcomr, where have you been? Path to nowhere? Change? I will show you some viable and real change that I and many Americans already believe in...the proof is in the pudding as they say...accomplishments? Healthcare reform, Medicare strengthened and lengthened for years, Women's rights, rescue of the American Auto Industry, doubling fuel efficiency standards, rebuilding American industry and jobs, over 4 million jobs in the last 30 months created in the private sector, Energy policy has nearly doubled use of renewable clean energy in America, steady increase in local oil and gas production, energy independence, Osama bin Laden, Ended war in Iraq, Veterans expanded GI Bill, financial reform and college affordability, education reform and teacher training in math and science, engineering, immigration reform, 18 tax cuts for small business, disaster relief, cutting government waste, fraud and abuse, foreign policy, Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty, and more.
"This is only a partial list, but it’s also a remarkable list of accomplishments - probably the most expansive since Franklin Delano Roosevelt - and FDR had a Democratic Congress and merely had to contend with a Great Depression, not a war, in his first term." Karen Rubin, "Obama's first term rivals FDR", at:
http://www.theislandnow.com/opinions/article_0618f28e-fdde-11e1-aa04-0019bb2963f4.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX-TQ0L93Co&feature=relmfu
This is definitely not the road to nowhere. What is the road to nowhere is what created the mess in the first place and I suggest that you not change tires or engines in the middle of this road now.
What happened to the President, tonight? Was he not prepared. He let Romney take over the debate. Why didn't he bring up the 47% when Romney said he cared about poor people and will take care of them. Why didn't he bring up Romney saying "if people didn't have insurance he'd send them to the emergency room". Republicans treatment of minorities, women, and disabled are a disgrace. President just stood there and took it. He didn't want to lose, he should have fought to win. Very disappointing. The President should fire the people who prepared him for this debate.
Okay Transcriber, what would you rather have? A smooth fast talker with big promises based on nothing yet delivered, or a deep original theoretical mind careful and timed in his answers making sure he has all the facts with a successful record in decision making as POTUS. A good president or a well coached fast talker from the big boy club that we know already will diss 47% of Americans for higher profits for the few...take your pick.
Obama did a great job tonight...now Romney on the other hand answered no questions and gave not specifics.
I am not in a position to go back to the way and things that got us in the financial mess we found ourselves in. Romney would do this. It is not a differing alternative. It was tried before.
I need "Obamacare"! I have a pre-existing condition, hereditary breast cancer. No insurance company will take me without making insurance so costly it would/could bankrupt us.
I was totally put off by Romney!