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AP: b54e6096-3dbe-4b92-9f64-20b3cf75c8cd
Mitt Romney and Barack Obama meet in their first presidential debate. (AP Photo/file)

Presidential debate: The celebrity had no clothes

BY David Boze  on October 4, 2012 @ 5:57 am (Updated: 8:53 am - 10/10/12 )

For the past couple of weeks, the Obama campaign has sought to downplay expectations for the President's debate performance - not because they really expected him to lose, but because they thought it would aid the president in delivering wounds to Romney in the first face-to-face battle.

Even the president's crowds didn't believe it. When he asked who would score the most points, they would shout, "YOU WILL!" even when Obama was trying to convince them of what a "good debater" Romney was and that he was just "okay."

Well Wednesday night President Obama failed to live up to being "okay." He looked shocked to have his record challenged. He was annoyed, tired, small ("I had 5 seconds before you interrupted me!" - and that to Jim Lehrer!).

For the first time, Obama had an opponent that would go toe-to-toe and was unhindered in challenging him. Prior to this, Obama had led a charmed political life. When running for state office he got ALL of his opponents off the ballot due to a technicality. His Republican opponent for U.S. Senate self-imploded in a tawdry sex scandal. His next opponent, Alan Keyes, imploded on impact. Obama then faced Hillary, who didn't take him seriously until it was too late. She found out that being critical of Obama was a dangerous thing for a base she needed. Also, to do so could get her labeled "racist." Then came McCain, whose tough, heroic life made him seem older than he is. McCain was constrained by his sense of honor and civility. Then the financial crisis hit and he suspended his campaign, I think he actually thought Obama might do the same. Instead Obama made him look like a man trying to figure out what to do. And the rest is history.

Meanwhile, when the president has made a mistake or gaffe, the press has been there to provide cover- sometimes in the form of no coverage. Rev. Wright? Irrelevant! 57 states? Could happen to anyone! No security for our Ambassador in Libya on the anniversary of 9-11? Mitt Romney is a gaffe machine! And on and on it goes.

But tonight, Obama only had himself and Romney had a chance to speak directly to the American people, and directly to the president - and he made the most of it.

From the beginning, Romney set the perfect tone. He made a joke. Americans love to laugh and Romney showed some of the personal charm those who know him rave about. Then he cut into the president's record and rhetoric with relentless persistence - often with a smile, always with respect. He was a happy warrior. An articulate fighter for the conservative cause the GOP has not had since Reagan. From "trickle down government" to "I've been in business for 25 years, and I have no idea what you are talking about!" to effective challenges of the president's job record and spending plans, Romney showed a passion and ability he's never displayed on the national scale before. (It also exposed the lie about "gaffe-prone" Mitt the left-leaning press has been eager to foster.)

Even Obama supporters had to have been shocked. While the president stood on stage and asserted he never claimed to be more than a man, they had to remember that he had promised receding oceans and planetary healing. When he claimed to be "just a man" who would "fight for them every single day" what had once seemed the promise of superman, now seemed the tired line of an actor who is tired of the play they are in. Obama was exposed as the celebrity with no clothes.

The left enjoys mocking Romney's name by calling him "Mittens." Wednesday night they learned that those "mittens" can double as boxing gloves.

Romney wins the night with a TKO.

You might also be interested in:

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Fact check: Presidential debate missteps

David Boze, KTTH Talk Show Host
David hosts a radio show on Seattle's only conservative talk station, KTTH. He enjoys hunting big game and attending the Seattle Symphony.
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Comments (108)


  • Add A Comment

  • don over taxed wrote...
    Debate
    October 4, 2012 7:29 am
    Can you see my point now. I was saying all along that oblamo was a fraud and loser. He was able to con the press and public 4 years ago and has been laughing the whole time. Hopefully the debate showed how far over his head he really is in.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    don - He's been President for 4 years
    October 4, 2012 9:14 am
    He was the only one on that stage with experience running this country. He has plans that are documented in black and white and an economy that has added 5 million jobs since the job market hit bottom in 2010... He is not over his head.. he's doing fine the economy is headed in the right direction, Romney is the one with zero defined plans and a whole lot of rhetoric, which is funny because that's how you guys described Obama 4 years ago.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Un - that's RUINING the country.
    October 4, 2012 9:37 am
    And not 5M. 2.3 AT BEST - over FOUR years.

    But even IF 5M, how is barely keeping up with population growth a great achievement ?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Ron - It's an Achievement during a world recession
    October 4, 2012 9:43 am
    It's an achievement because when he took office the Economy was bleeding 800k jobs per month.. This is the deepest recession we've ever seen. You and folks like you are so down on Obama despite the obvious statistics that show this Country's economy is rebounding - 30 consecutive months with job growth, stock market 60% higher than when Obama took office S&P 70% higher Nasdaq 50% higher, 5 Million jobs added since the job market bottomed out in 2010 - You give him and his policies no credit for halting the recession turning the tide against the recession but you're completely willing to believe Romney who has rhetoric instead of statistics.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Cbrewski - Wall Street is not Main Street.
    October 4, 2012 12:25 pm
    And it's not anyone's home street.

    Hoover and Carter should be given credit for trying, too. But, Mr. Obama, It is not working.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Mitt did a good job at the debate, had a larger flag pin on his jacket too..
    October 4, 2012 7:33 am
    But he probably wont survive the attack adds that will follow that will question why there are no details for his Medicare replacement plan and what he plans to replace Obama care with. Obama on the other hand took the intellectual approach and did not look strong because he didn't hit Romney where it hurts.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    For Cbrew and Guru
    October 4, 2012 7:42 am
    Your lack of comprehesion be it reading or listen is poor.

    Romney was VERY SPECIFIC.

    He spoke of his success in accomplishments as Govenor with an 87% Democratic Majority.

    The specifics are in the goals.

    To enable businesses to create jobs

    To reduce Health Care costs

    To improve education

    To make American Energy Independent and the list goes on.

    Here's where you comprehension and narcissistic attitudes fail you.

    A LEADER - brings ideas and a goal to the table, discusses these, listens, reaches a concensus on the best solutions and implements them.

    Romney was VERY INSISTENT that UNLIKE Obama he would not offer a specific solutions and say "IT's My way or the Highway".

    That's EXACTLY where Obama has FAILED - he's not a leader, he tries to manage with a narcissistic attitude.

    Maybe you can go back and try reading the transcripts of the debate.. or if you need some help understanding what was said.. I'm sure we can find you some help

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    cdbtx
    October 4, 2012 8:01 am

    What's the specifics to enable business to create jobs? How do you reduce health care cost? How do you improve education? How do you make American Energy independent?

    And you say my reading and listening comprehension is bad,lol.

    What are his ideas?

    You need to sue whatever school you went too.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    cbdtx - You're kidding me right?
    October 4, 2012 9:21 am
    He provided Specifics? You're such a tool. If you want you can go download those transcripts and read them a thousand times over. He did not provide ANY SPECIFICS... If he did and we're just ignorant, enlighten me, What's Romney's Health Care plan and how much is it going to cost? How is Romney going to avoid cutting services or adding to the National debt when his Tax cuts will reduce 5 trillion in revenue and even fact checkers agree, there's not enough loopholes to close to make up for that loss in revenue? What's he going to cut? What is Romney's plan to cut the deficit? Explain these plans to us because Romney ABSOLUTELY refused to during the debate.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    The wading pool
    October 4, 2012 8:13 am
    at Green lake has more depth than Obama, and last night proved it. Next up, Ryan is going to school the old man.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheSymbolForBoron wrote...
    Romney's Specifics
    October 4, 2012 8:20 am
    There weren't many, like how he pays for his ideas. Besides, the guy is a pathological flip-flopper and liar without a core. I can't believe he won't continue to be so.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @TheSymbolForBoron
    October 4, 2012 8:44 am
    Next time is suggest you do not turn on mute when Romney is speaking and turning off mute when Obama is speaking. Romney gave specifics at a level that is practical for a debate. If you want more specifics, you could go online and read his whole plan, but it is probably to advanced for your reading comprehension skills.

    Basically Romney should the independent voters on how he would LEAD as President instead of how Obama is being lead by partisan democrats and failing to be a leader. Obama even said during the debate in his opinion it is better to say NO than to work as a bi-partisan to get things done in congress.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheSymbolForBoron wrote...
    "The Plan" is just a bunch of bullet points
    October 4, 2012 9:09 am
    If you like 'The Plan', how can you believe that Romney will actually follow through with it? He's reversed his position on many, many issues. He'll say whatever he needs to say to get elected. He has no core and would likely discard 'The Plan' if elected. I will never vote for someone who lacks core values like Romney.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Thesymbol - Absolutely agree with you
    October 4, 2012 9:30 am
    When you don't have a plan, nobody can attack it, that has been Romney's strategy since the very beginning, that has been Romney's plan since he was fighting for the nomination. He hasn't taken a stand for anything except that he believes the President isn't good, you don't vote for a guy expecting him to change things when you don't even know how he intends to change them... that's ludicrous We all know Obama's plans we know exactly how he intends to use them.. Romney doesn't have any plans he's willing to put down for people to scrutinize because he doens't want to be attacked on them... he's not showing leadership he's showing cowardice.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @TheSymbolForBoron and Cbrew
    October 4, 2012 10:12 am
    Obama ran in 2008 with no plans and just bullet points of ideas/goals. Obama ran on hope and change, and America lost all their hope and all their change under Obama.

    As I stated there is not time during a debate to discuss details of plans and that is why only bullet points of the plans were used. Obama had no plan for healthcare reform but wanted it reformed so democrats in congress wrote the plan and reformed it NOT Obama.

    Romney has proven to be able to work with democrats while Govenor of MA, and Obama has proven that he refuses to work with republicans while President of the US. I pick the one with a proven bi-partisan track record.

    P.S. there are plans in place with outline of the plans on the websites.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheSymbolForBoron wrote...
    Rick
    October 4, 2012 2:10 pm
    "Refuses to work with (admittedly obstructionist) Republicans?!!!"

    That is the funniest comment posted on this topic so far.

    Thanks for the laugh!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • justanotheridiot wrote...
    Ron and Don suck
    October 4, 2012 8:20 am
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    And the blame game begins
    October 4, 2012 8:49 am
    Obummer folks are blaming Lehrer, the altitude, etc., for this extremely awful showing. Remember when you point the finger of blame at others, three fingers point back at yourself. I even heard MSNBC comparing Obummer's performance to that of Reagan in the first debate of 1984, when the Dem's were accusing Reagan of being senile. To quote David Gergen "Reagan came back and so can Obama"...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    The Celebrity whith no clothes!
    October 4, 2012 9:19 am
    F88cking fantastic, I love it!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MiG wrote...
    My President needs his teleprompter--
    October 4, 2012 9:23 am
    --in case Romney shows up again...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kata wrote...
    as a general rule
    October 4, 2012 9:31 am
    I don't watch the debates - I read the transcripts later. Imagine my surprise this morning to find out what a drubbing our President took - from CNN no less. How embarrassing. I had honestly expected him to make a little more showing than this, but I also expected the moderator to take more of a guiding hand in the format as they've done in the past.

    ps. Just months before the 2008 election when not everyone had left the Hillary camp Time magazine regarded Obama's economic plan as a hard to summarize mix of (D) standbys and populist silliness with a whole lot of "blame Bush" and my opponent is "just like Bush" to shore it up. Looks like same junk, different day to me.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }