Weekdays at 12noon on 770 AM: The Truth
 Michael Medved
pic.jpg

Conservatives "jubilant" about Romney's performance

BY Josh Kerns  on October 4, 2012 @ 11:44 am (Updated: 8:59 am - 10/10/12 )

While he insists he's not gloating, conservative author and talk-show host Michael Medved says he's "jubilant" about Mitt Romney's performance in the first presidential debate.

"I have not found a single individual or media voice or anyone who believes the president won the debate," he says.

Medved, appearing on KIRO Radio Thursday morning, says on both substance and style, it's clear Romney outshined President Obama.

"I'm brought to what my eighth grade debate coach always taught us, which is that you win debates and you win arguments if you look like you're enjoying yourself."

Medved says Obama's often dour and seemingly disinterested demeanor reminded him of President George H.W. Bush in a debate with Bill Clinton and Ross Perot, where Bush seemed to repeatedly check his watch as if bored by the proceedings. And he says it should change the dynamic of the race.

"There's no question that the Romney side is up there with momentum right now."

Medved says candidate's performance suddenly puts far more importance on next Thursday's vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan.

"I think it's very possible that Joe Biden is going to come out pushing the Democratic attack lines not against Paul Ryan, but against Romney, which forces Paul Ryan into a very complicated situation," he says.

Medved says he was most surprised that President Obama avoided bringing up some of the most contentious issues of the campaign so far, including Romney's comments about writing off the 47 percent of Americans, the release of his tax returns, and his supposed flip-flopping on the issues.

"President Obama seemed not to want to go down into sort of the slugfest arena, Joe Biden probably will," Medved predicts.

You might also like:

David Boze: Romney trades in 'Mittens' for boxing gloves

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

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
More Michael Medved

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (36)


  • Add A Comment

  • messiah101 wrote...
    Medved For ONCE I agree with you
    October 4, 2012 11:12 am
    And Obama should have had the SAME advice that your 8th grade debate coach gave you.If someone appears confident and seems to enjoy the conveying of his information it is accepted by the listener,no matter if the information is accurate or not.Romney won last night in a LANDSLIDE as he was able to do this and Obama failed.Chris Matthews said something like this after the debate " Romney appeared to be the hunter and Obama the prey"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    It's because Owebama is so arrogant, he thinks he's already won.
    October 4, 2012 11:25 am
    But according to Al Snore and MSNB0, it wasn't his fault. It's the altitude...yeah...that's it...altitude. Hilarious!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kata wrote...
    altitude?
    October 4, 2012 11:56 am
    Seriously? I heard that Chris Matthews was almost in tears. This is what happens when you pin yourself to a candidate - your mood and sometimes even your personal identity rises and falls with them.

    Jubilant? No. I was ready to plunk down a vote for (L) and I probably still will. But I have to indulge in a little schadenfreude and watch the derpfest while it lasts... Ballots are mailed on the 19th. I can't wait to just get this over with.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Chris Matthews tears?
    October 4, 2012 12:35 pm
    That tingle running on his leg after this debate wasn't tears.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @kata
    October 4, 2012 4:52 pm
    I watched Chris Matthews right after the debate and he was pissed at Obama and looked like he was going to cry. What was funny was that Chris stood alone on MSNBC trying to show support for Obama and the rest kept telling him no Romney won that the debate by a landslide. I was laughing so hard.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kata wrote...
    @Rick
    October 5, 2012 10:02 am
    I just don't get how people get so wrapped around the axle about a particular candidate. Before Obama, Matthews was hot and heavy over Hillary then she lost in Iowa the Party said it was time to like Obama and he was right there with that wonderful tingle up his leg. It's just sad. I've never felt a particular attachment toward a candidate. Which is fortunate, because the last time I voted for someone who actually got elected was Clinton and then Bush(2000) and both times neither one ended up being what they sold themselves as.

    I was disappointed but I have no desire to turn into one of these raging lunatics when both parties are just becoming two faces of the same dang coin.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    Tomorrow OB -
    October 4, 2012 11:58 am
    Will blame Bush for his epic failure at this debate.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Obama brings a plastic fork to a gunfight
    October 4, 2012 12:06 pm
    he's so arrogant he doesn't even listen to his own advice.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    I watched it on ABC.
    October 4, 2012 1:27 pm
    Poor George Stepinginit was pouting like a little girl. Loved it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    I think DLO won the debate . . . .
    October 4, 2012 1:27 pm
    Notice how everyone is talking about mittens lies? Etch a Sketch moment? Now we get to see his plan. What was I thinking? If he won't show his taxes you think we will see his [Ryan's] plans? Show us the numbers mittens. Good news for the middle class you get to more taxes. Big Bird went under the bus. See what he is going to do with your job.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Romney won a debate because the American people want entertainment over substance
    October 4, 2012 1:33 pm
    There's nothing that Romney did in that debate to make me think he's a better man for the job. He continued to elude providing details for his plans. He basically provided the American People a list of things he'd like to do... WITH NO IDEA HOW HE'D DO IT... When Pressed by the President on how Romney would do it, he just repeated himself that he would get it done... HOW FRACKING STUPID IS THIS COUNTRY!? All of a Sudden we're going to take a politicians word for it? We're not going to ask Romney for details on how he expects to get the things done he's claimed he will? Romney gets to say, I'm going to give a tax break and Revenues aren't going to take a hit and he doesn't have to explain himself, but the sitting president of the United States has to Provide 2 Forms of a birth certificate in order to prove that he's a citizen after he's been president for months? REALLY!? The reason... BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE ENTERTAINMENT!!! .. HOW FRACKING STUPID!!! Romney is possibly the most shady politician since Nixon and people think he's a good leader because he told people he'd fix stuff without telling anyone how he'd do it... Man people are stupid.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Cbrew...
    October 4, 2012 2:02 pm
    If you could do that rant in an Obama style phony black Southern accent, and put it on youtube, it would go viral. I really do love watching you clowns melt down. It's really going to get good in another month.

    Romney gonna put y'all back in chains.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MRod wrote...
    Cbew
    October 4, 2012 3:50 pm
    Ah, yeah people are stupid...someone get the net.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cigarillo wrote...
    "...Entertainment Over Substance"
    October 4, 2012 3:52 pm
    Right on brother! You hit the nail on the head. You couldn't be more right. This was the EXACT problem with the 2008 election.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MRod wrote...
    Cbrew details details
    October 4, 2012 3:55 pm
    So, you want and think it's practical that during a presidential debate...that's only 90 minutes...for either BO or MR to examine, detail and propose changes to the 80,000 page US tax code?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Well we'll just see what happens to the country if Romney is elected.
    October 4, 2012 2:01 pm
    If he turns out anything like Bush, it will be the end of the republican party.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sportfisher wrote...
    Forrest, no offense, but is your last name Gump?
    October 4, 2012 2:55 pm
    We need to do a study using a kat scan of liberals. Remember when Obama blamed banks, and rating agencies and people who bought homes that could not afford them? You cannot connect Bush to any of that. Bush dropped tax rates for everyone including me, I dont even own a home. But guess what, Democrat dont like to cut spending on anything! By 2006 it was hard to find enough republicans that had the balls to cut anything. You keep blaming Bush,when you should have blamed congress. Congress and Bill Clinton repealed Glass-Steagall, allowing much of this mess. Clinton threatened to sue banks if they did not make subprime loans. Obama helped Acorn go after Banks to make the loans. YOU bought into the big lie. There is a right way to run government and a wrong way. Romney is a pro. Bush was beter than Gore and Kerry, so don't try and link Romney to that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MRod wrote...
    Forrest' wishful thinking
    October 4, 2012 3:57 pm
    There is less pressure on the challenger in any contest like this. If Romney loses, he's fine for the rest of his life. If Obama loses, he has a pension sure, but I think the DNC has their career dissapation light flickering.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Forrest, years fron now, for perhaps the next 50 years
    October 4, 2012 4:06 pm
    Americans will fear that a democrat candidate might 'turn out' like Obama. The Jimmy Carter of a new generation.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zagnut wrote...
    I'm not worried about the VP debate. Ryan is AWESOME.
    October 4, 2012 3:36 pm
    And the reason Obama got schooled is because his record sucks and the fact he is black is no longer enough. Last time it was all he needed. He didn't need any experience. His radical affiliations didn't matter. His mysterious life didn't need to be vetted. He was black. That was enough. Not anymore.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MRod wrote...
    It will be widely watched, I'll bet
    October 4, 2012 3:49 pm
    Yeah after last night, I've met some on both sides that wished they watched it now that everyone is talking about it. I'm not worried either and bet it will be watched by millions because people just want to see what Biden is going to say. It's like those who watch the Super Bowl only for the commercials.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TwoTrees wrote...
    I think Paul Ryan has gotta be careful about his debate with Joe Biden (aka. America's Favorite Crazy Uncle).
    October 4, 2012 3:38 pm
    Romney trounced Obama so badly that the campaign is certainly riding a wave of positivity. However, just because Biden is a half-wit blow hard doesn't mean he won't 'bring it' to the debate. Ryan can't afford to make the same mistake Obama made by assuming victory just by showing up, or by relying on Biden's usual nincompoopery.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cigarillo wrote...
    @TwoTrees
    October 4, 2012 3:55 pm
    You worry to much. Don't you remember how America's favorite vapid broad held her own at the debate podium against Uncle Joe? This will be a walk in the park for a wonk like Ryan.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MRod wrote...
    Cigarillo's right
    October 4, 2012 4:01 pm
    Yeah, Ryan has a firm grasp on the facts and his mind. For Joe...not so much...on either.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Cigarillo
    October 5, 2012 9:01 am
    Don't bet on it
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }