Monday, October 22, 2012

Last debate live bloggery

I'm starting off the final debate. feel free to join in.

30 comments:

Venice said...

Romney "we can't kill our way out of this mess." How true. Here's hoping he takes his own advice.

Matt said...

I'm running about a half hour behind with lots of technical difficulties. Sorry folks!

Venice said...

Obama "I know you[Mitt] have not actually had an opportunity to implement foreign policy..." ouch

Venice said...

I have technical difficulties too, if by that you mean a crying baby.

Venice said...

How are you going to increase military spending without raising taxes and while cutting debt? that's the question of the election.

Michael Hannum said...

Ah, the tone of Romney's voice when he says "poor" reveals lightly masked contempt.

Venice said...

How many times can you say "balance our budget" in consecutive sentences?

Michael Hannum said...

Wow, he brought Battleship into it?

Venice said...

MH: he just doesn't like people who refuse to take responsibility for their own lives?

Michael Hannum said...

Yes, I think that might be it. I believe in his head "poor=leech"

Michael Hannum said...

Newspaper? Obama, it's the 21st century. I think you mean the blogosphere!

Michael Hannum said...

Is anyone else bothered by Obama's pronunciation of Pakistan vs. Afghanistan? He says Pakistan more like a native Arabic speaker, but neglects to do so with Afghanistan...

Venice said...

Romney seems very reasonable to me tonight. Must have had one to many.

Venice said...

I've never been quite sure how to properly pronounce Pakistan. I think Urdu is closer to Hindi than Arabic in terms of pronunciation but I don't doubt you know better than me.

Venice said...

I hate China more than you do!

Venice said...

"I couldn't agree more about going forward." There you have it. They're both pro-future. Rumours that both support puppy-dogs have yet to be confirmed.

Michael Hannum said...

Hmm... Obama's closing speech could have been much better.

Venice said...

You take that torch Mitt.

Venice said...

Pretty decent debate on both sides. Man, if Obama had shown up in the first one this race would be over now, huh?

Venice said...

On a side note, I like Michelle Obama's dress.

Venice said...

Shockingly, Fox News thinks Romney won.

Venice said...

Alright, it's bedtime. Venice out.

Matt said...

Michael, Obama's pronunciation of Pakistan has been a sore point with conservatives since 2008. They think it's indicative of his "otherness".

Matt said...

We're finally done with the debate, so I'll try to get all my comments in one post.

First, overall I think it was notable how strongly on the offensive Obama was as compared to how mild-mannered Romney was. On the real foreign policy questions, Romney criticized, then when listing details, said he'd do exactly the same things as Obama.

Second, Obama's battleship comment will get a lot of attention (and perhaps get him some bayonets in the mail) but I did think that Romney's response about Russia was very very strong.

Thirdly, I thought it was cheap how both candidates tried desperately to tie in domestic issues because they know those matter more. to Americans.

Fourthly, apparently, foreign policy = the middle east.

Finally, Romney's closing statement was a clear attempt to be Reaganesque but it just didn't work. He may be too smart, too mechanical, too precise, but whatever the reason, he doesn't use words in the same way as Reagan.

xoxo Matt

Matt said...

And now my social media blackout can end!

John said...

Rewatching the debate now... first observation about 13 minutes in - Romney is using the term tumult too much. I like the word, but it's just too... odd for his audience: America.

John said...

"organizing entrepreneurship conferences..." sounds like fun

John said...

Romney sounds like he has a terribly pessimistic view of everything outside America (and America too) - how does that sell? (hour mark)

John said...

I'm a little noplussed by the debate... it was a little interesting in spots - like Romney saying Syria was Iran's path to the sea (does he know where these two countries lie on a map?)... but by and large it was not a whole lot new, which is a shame. I thought Obama's closing was strong and clear whereas Romney's was a little crinkled and crusty - the torch thing, and "I'd like to be that leader, with your support. I'll work with you. I'll lead you in an open and honest way..." it was just so starched and... odd...

but, really... not a whole lot coming to mind, but of course, I'm watching this all much too late. Perhaps tomorrow I'll wake up with some more thoughts on the whole thing.

John said...

Venice asked, "How are you going to increase military spending without raising taxes and while cutting debt? that's the question of the election."

It's funny how this remarkably direct challenge by moderators and Obama alike has been constantly answered with something akin to, "I'm Mitt Romney, so I'll just do it!" (said cheerfully) - as though to imply magic MittMath hasn't been accepted as lacking in faults, perfect and unquestionable baffles him. I'm sorry, but running profitable companies and making a lot of money doesn't mean that you're aloud to simply deny the fact that scores of economists cannot balance out your proposals to come up with the outcomes claimed... Grrrrr! MITTENSMATH! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry - post-debate mid-morning freakout)