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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:

Tom Tangney: Romney doesn't need zingers to score debate win

Dave Ross Commentary: It boils down to...Donald Trump

Listen: Dave and Dori debate the debate

MyNorthwest.com Voter's Guide: Our hosts' picks

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

  • DesertRez wrote...
    Specifics
    October 4, 2012 9:33 am
    Yes Romney should have had charts and graphs for all of his plan. That worked out really well for Ross Perot. That is why you have a policy wonk as your go-to guy to get the specifics hammered out. Ryan is a economics guy and I was really pleased he was chosen as VP candidate.
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    Ryan's budget plan would kick seniors off of Medicare
    October 4, 2012 10:02 am
    Ryan's plans are rediculous and would never pass Congress... Romney has the advantage of being able to say that his plans would work because he doesn't have to back it up right now... that's all Romney has, he provided a bunch of bullet points... easy to read... feed to the masses bullet points but zero detail on how he would achieve these goals.
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  • worhtalook wrote...
    I really enjoy
    October 4, 2012 9:41 am
    reading the comments, alot, actually and I learn from them. I have to say that it doesn't matter who won in the debate..Liberals will still vote in Obama..all the losers out there,the one's who depend on Government..whether through social services or their Government jobs..they will not vote for less Government..less entitlement.I work in a very large Hospital, in the ICU and as I sat doing my job last night and overheard my coworkers discussing the dabate..which by the way they were not watching at all, thankfully doing their job instead, they already had their minds made up..as I have listened to them in the past, they have no real truth, actually to back their choice..lots of talking points seen in headlines from the very liberal press..I actually heard one decalre that the PRess was against Liberals..oh my...If someone who is a Conservative, not necessarily a Republican attempts to interject some facts they get argumentive and flusttered and defensive..no facts or proof of anything just don't talk about Obama that way. So, sadly, Obama will most likely be reelected and it will be done in dirty and dishonest ways..particularly in this State. Mr. Romney was not my first or second choice as a candidate,however, if people looked to the character of a man..his past assoiciations, his integrity and honesty..and what he is honest or dishonest about..that will tell you who should run this country and who you are too, when you vote.
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  • Mike Hunt wrote...
    Specifics?
    October 4, 2012 9:47 am
    Four years ago many of us voted for a man whose specifics were only "hope and change". We voted for him because he made us feel good. We voted for him because of his skin color (I include myself in this one).

    After he was elected he wasted (imo) his first two years pushing a healthcare plan that hadn't been written yet; it was only after it was passed that it could be viewed.

    I realize that anyone that doesn't have a D after his name will not be popular here, but after watching the debate last night with my fellow left leaning brothers - there was absolutely no doubt who won the evening

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  • Cbrew wrote...
    End Result - This will Hurt Romney as the Campaing rolls on
    October 4, 2012 9:59 am
    It will hurt him because he has zero specific plans for the country, the President clearly defined his, Romney even acknowledges them because he likes to attack them... Now all the Democratic strategists have to do is latch on to the fact that Romney doesn't have any detailed plans for how he intends to achieve the goals he's described... In a week or so The Dems will be all over this... Romney got no new material out of this debate, He provided Dems with a lot more to go after him on, the fact that he's avoided presenting an actual plan on How to: reduce taxes without adding to the deficit or cutting services, Reform the Health Care system since he says he's going to get rid of Obamacare but hasn't provided any specifics on a "Romney Care" to take it's place, Reduce the deficit, get the economy going... nothing... NOTHING.. You can only avoid being specific for so long, after a while folks realize you're just spouting rhetoric and at some point you have to prove how you're going to do it.
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @Cbrew
    October 4, 2012 10:18 am
    Your rantings will not help your stance. Sort of like what Romney told Obama last night, Romney quote, "I have 5 sons and just because they kept telling the same lie over and over again, it will never make it a truth/fact."

    You are just a hate filled person IMO.

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  • Cbrew wrote...
    Rick - I have proven with facts
    October 4, 2012 2:46 pm
    That your guy is lying through his fracking teeth, he has no morals has no core values he's a fracking empty suit with a Limbaugh tongue... That's it, he has no plans for this country and every time he's corned on something he lies and says he didn't support it... You vote for the liar, it will make you look even dumber when he loses.
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @Cbrew
    October 4, 2012 4:49 pm
    That is interesting since Fact Check says it was Obama that lied the most during the debate. Here is the link:

    http://mynorthwest.com/103/656364/FACT-CHECK-Presidential-debate-missteps

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  • Iklwa wrote...
    First Presidential Debate
    October 4, 2012 12:57 pm
    In my opinion, what we witnessed last night was (finally) a clear juxtaposition of ideologies for a national path. We have seen how well the one, top down/socialistic/anti-capitalist approach works. It seems to me that groveling for an additional four years of continuing down that same path is not much of an argument for President Obama. I for one am glad to finally have a representative willing to unabashedly espouse conservative policies because when compaired with American liberalism the choice is obvious. One can only wonder if having one’s glutinous maximums kicked raw is coved under the Affordable Healthcare Act. I have never once doubted that Washington State would be solidly in the “blue” column and even after Mr. Obama’s miserable failure last night, we will still be firmly ensconced in the “blue” camp. I’m just happy some of those who would blindly follow the President, like so many lemmings off a cliff, got the chance to peek behind the curtain and get a glimpse of who really is their Fearless Leader. As to the President’s playing Rope a Dope and/or still being ahead in the polls: I guess democrats would prefer conservatives just fold up tents and not bother voting come Election Day. I’m sure they would be much happier; however, polls that make assumptions that the demographics will be the same as 2008 and that are heavily weighted by sampling of democrats, while serving the purpose of attempted disheartenment, do nothing to mitigate the open display of bankrupt ideologies and results so well demonstrated by President Obama last night. One fine November morning we shall soon discover how badly who lost…unless of course there are accusations of a “stolen” election…again. There once was a fella who said “You can fool some of the people all of the time and you can fool all of the people some of the time but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” I think the saying most apropos in this case. I am surprised there have been no charges of racism, hatred or homophobia over what happened last night. It is so rare these days to see a truly “fair” fight. This is what you get when Affirmative Action is allowed free reign. The Unqualified are promoted to positions of power who then blame their failures on others and expect exemption regardless of performance.
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  • SeattleD wrote...
    Now that Dumney is going to be president I have some advice for the Dems in congress
    October 4, 2012 6:18 pm
    Your one and only goal should be to make Dumney a one term failure.
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  • daveismenotyou wrote...
    Dumney is funny
    October 4, 2012 8:32 pm
    That is really original and funny. Where did you come up with that extremely original joke? You are so dang funny! HA HA HA! Dumney? So awesome! My second grade son came up with something funny, but your joke sure took the cake. Great job SeattleD! You should be on a stage with that wit!
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  • Anton wrote...
    Ooh....
    October 5, 2012 4:11 am
    Oh my! What a great performance by Romney...I guess it's all over now... (*rolls eyes*). We liberals can't take it anymore from you genius conservatives.

    Good grief! Get a grip folks. Sooner or later Romney has to actually appease the tea-party crowd and then we'll see how "united" your party really appears.

    One debate..... ohhhh, we're really shaking now!

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  • KingRufus wrote...
    someone has a fetish
    October 5, 2012 9:12 am
    "face-to-face battle" "toe-to-toe" "He was a happy warrior. An articulate fighter for the conservative cause..." "those 'mittens' can double as boxing gloves." "Romeny wins the night with a TKO." It was a debate...it's not like they stepped into the Colosseum for gladitorial combat in ancient Rome or something.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    kingrufus
    October 5, 2012 10:52 am
    You mean to tell us that your NOT a fan of Gladiator Movies or you don't like debates because the participants are fully clothed and don't sweat as much?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleD wrote...
    How's that boycott working out AJ?
    October 5, 2012 6:36 pm
    Even your boyfriend Billy isn't listening to your calls for a boycott. Oh, I never ask you lovers, how was your date in Sequim? I'll bet it had a real creepy daddy/son theme.
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    True unemplpyment numbers are at 11 percent and rising.
    October 6, 2012 5:09 am
    we lost more private sector jobs in Sept than we did in Aug. We lost more in Aug than July. We have lose over 20 million private sector jobs to this ObamaEconomy since 2008. The Dear Leader looked like the bumbling incompetent clown eared man child fool that he is Wednesday night and somehow the next day the artificially low unemployment numbers were falsely lowered again by the regime.

    Face it Parrots, your Dear Leader has lost! The only thing left to happen is the 6th of November to make this official.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @HaHa
    October 6, 2012 7:23 am
    It is not 11% and rising. It is a flat 14.7% for 2012.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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