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This all boils down to Donald Trump. (AP Photo/file)

It boils down to...Donald Trump

BY Dave Ross  on October 4, 2012 @ 8:11 am (Updated: 7:29 am - 10/10/12 )

The scoring consensus seems to be Romney dominated, Obama showed up, and if you make your living in the artificial yellow feather business, update your resume.

But we also learned a few things.

Contrary to his pre-debate image Romney promised not to cut the overall amount of tax revenue coming into the government.

"To do that, that also means I cannot reduce the burden paid by high-income Americans," says Romney.

So absolutely no tax cuts for the rich.

"But I do want to reduce the burden being paid by middle-income Americans," he says.

In particular, he would reduce the burden on owners of small businesses. But wait, says Obama, I cut taxes on 97 percent of small business owners. Not good enough, says Romney, because you leave out the 3 percent.

"But those businesses that are in the last 3 percent of businesses happen to employ half, half of all the people who work in small business. Those are the businesses that employ one quarter of all the workers in America."

Now it's about the three percent.

To which Obama says, true, I do leave out the top 3 percent of small businesses.

"But under Governor Romney's definition, Donald Trump is a small business," says Obama.

And Romney didn't contradict him. So what this boils down to is, Donald Trump and the three percent are the key to the recovery. And Obama would raise their taxes, while Romney would not.

And by the way, the idea that Jim Leherer was part of a liberal plot to help the president? Nice try.

You might also be interested in:

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

David Boze: Even Obama supporters had to have been shocked

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

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (64)


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  • sportsguru wrote...
    From where I am standing
    October 4, 2012 7:23 am
    Romney doesn't have a chance in he// to win, most of the people that I am hearing from felt Romney didn't give specific's on anything that he was going to do. Just trust me and I will tell you later. Not
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @sportsguru
    October 4, 2012 7:31 am
    If course, Romney did not change the minds of the democrats you hangout with. Romney gave lots of specifics during the debates without boring everyone with details. The details are all available on-line. Romney one this debate solely because he showed leadership and Obama did not. All 3 networks (CNN, MSNBC, and FOX) had independent voter focus groups, and these independents all stated that Romney won the debate because of the leadership he showed during the debate and his track record of working with both parties to get things done. After the debate, these undecided independent voters said they were now leaning towards Romney by a margin of 70-80% depending on the news channel. We all know the purpose of debates is to get the independent vote and with the first debate Romney did just that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Rick (4)
    October 4, 2012 7:55 am

    Can you specifically indicate what Romney said that specifically show leadership? I await your reply. Thanks,

    I know it's popular to indicate that someone such as myself an independent voter, because I choose a certain politician means that the only people that I hang around have to be of the same political leaning is just to say it nicely, inaccurate. Are you saying that because you vote for a certain politician that you only hang around people that vote the same as you?

    If not, why would you assume the same for me, if so, man you are limited.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    Yep sportsguru, I can
    October 4, 2012 8:33 am
    Romney told the American people how he LEAD as Govenor of MA. He discussed how he worked with a democrat majority to still get things done for the state. He discussed how he would work with the US Congress in bi-partisan politics. He told the American people he would have meetings weekly with both the democrat and republican leaders of congress. He discussed how MA developed and passed Romneycare in a bi-partisan way. He also pointed out the failing of Obama refusing to work with the republicans and how Obamacare was pushed through congress with ONLY democrat input. Obama is solely a partisan i.e. democrat and even stated so during the debate when he said it is OK to say "NO" to compromise.

    You so no signs of being an independent in your posts on the website as all you do is blindly praise Obama based upon lies of the media who cover his arse. Obama has failed and that is blantantly obvious based upon the facts such as the economy has been slowing again for the past 3 months, middle class average income is down, highest percentage of Americans in poverty since keeping track of this level, inflation is up on necessities such as food, ulitities, gas, etc. I could go on with my list but will you change your mind? Probably not.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Rick (4)
    October 4, 2012 8:59 am

    Come on Rick (4), that's not a plan, that's a promise to work with democrats,lol.

    What are his plans to pay down the deficit, what are his plans for healthcare, what are his foreign policy plans specifically, etc....

    I take it that even YOU don't know what that is because you keep avoiding the big albatross in the room,lol.

    Nice try though, btw, I was leaning toward Ron Paul if he would have won the Republican nomination, sorry you fail on your assessment regarding me, I am a kook and Ron Paul is kooky enough to get my vote and shake things up which is exactly what needs to be done in American government, Just straight core Government function and not the winners and losers Government of the Rep and Dem, now since he is not on the ballot and I have a choice between somebody who won't give specific's and somebody who will, guess what, I am going with the guy with a specific business plan.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @sportsguru
    October 4, 2012 9:12 am
    Yep just like Obama's four years ago to bring the country together and then went 100% partisan democrat after taking office. Obama has a history of partisan politics and Romney has a history of bi-partisan politics. My votes goes to the person that has proven to be bi-partisan and not the one that has proven to be partisan.

    Concerning specifics, debates are not going to get into specifics ever, no American would sit there listening to the whole plan that covers hundreds of pages of text. Neither Obama or Romney provided detailed specifics during the debate. That is why you need to read the specifics in their detailed plans - oops Obama doesn't have one except saying he will continue his failed ones. While Romney has detailed plans on his website.

    Concerning foreign policy, that is another debate coming soon.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • alexa0414 wrote...
    Since when is interrupting good leadership?
    October 4, 2012 10:40 am
    I was disgusted by Romney's behavior during the debate. Interrupting, snide facial expressions, and ignoring the moderator. I was an undecided but I seriously don't want my president to be someone who has no self control. I am in the health insurance industry and I also caught him saying something untrue regarding health insurance. Obama said with his healthcare now that parents can keep their children covered until the age 26, which is true. Romney's reply was that "we can do that in the private sector now." That is a misleading and incorrect statement. The only way a parent can currently cover their child past 18 is for the child to be enrolled in school full-time and only till 23. I don't want a president who is a manipulator.
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @alexa0414
    October 4, 2012 11:00 am
    They both ignored the moderator. Romney only interupted when the President was lying, and any good leader would do exactly the same. Also, Obama talked more the Romney.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • alexa0414 wrote...
    Please cite the breakdown of minutes
    October 4, 2012 11:04 am
    I would like to see where you get your information of who got more minutes. Also, if you are going to tell me Obama lied, tell me what about. Romney interrupted quite a bit more. A good leader to me is one who has self control to wait his turn.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kata wrote...
    @alexa
    October 4, 2012 11:26 am
    http://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2012/10/04/obama-used-more-time-romney-more-words/1613455/
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Wiz wrote...
    Wait his turn?
    October 4, 2012 12:40 pm
    Leaders don't "wait". Leaders lead.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @alexa0414
    October 4, 2012 12:58 pm
    It was on CNN last night after the debate. Obama 42 minites and Romney 38 minutes each of talk time. First, Obama lie businesses get a tax break for moving business overseas - fact check said it was lie. Second Obama lie, Romney's tax cuts will cause a $5T deficit per fact check it is only $454M deficit. I could go on but I see no point as all the info is available for anyone that knows how to use google or bing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Rick - again with the 5 trillion
    October 4, 2012 1:13 pm
    You're so dumb it's unbelievable, are you really a registered voter? If you are That's really quite dissapointing... Obama pointed out that Romney's tax cuts for the wealthy would create a 5 Trillion dollar Revenue gap, he asked how romney intended to close it, Romney Vaguely described closing loopholes, EVEN if he did close those loopholes there will be a Net loss in Revenue, Your 454 million dollar quote is bullcrap and i don't know where you got it, There is NO SPECIFIC AMOUNT that can be obtained because ROMNEY HAS NOT IDENTIFIED THE LOOPHOLES HE WOULD CLOSE! that is why i think dumb people gravitated towards Romney last night, because he made a bunch of promises but didn't provide a single inkling of how he would do it... I can say I would cut taxes by 20% across the board and solve the National Debt all the while eliminating al Quaeda and giving every man woman and child in America 1 Million dollars without raising inflation... Will you vote for me? OR ASK ME HOW THE FRACK I INTEND TO DO IT!? ... You're such a drone you're just going with it, taking Romney at his words even when common MATHEMATICS PROVES ROMNEY WOULD EITHER HAVE TO TAKE ON MORE DEBT TO THE DEFICIT OR CUT SERVICES TO GO THROUGH WITH HIS TAX CUT FOR THE RICH! .... dang you're slow and so very stupid.
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @Cbrew
    October 4, 2012 4:39 pm
    Here is the link:

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

    I did misquote it is as it says "The Tax Policy Center, a Washington research group, says that would reduce federal tax revenues by $465 billion in 2015" No where near $5T as Obama stated.

    You are dumber than dirt as the fact check story is on MYNORTHWEST.com

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Rick you're so stupid it's unforgivable
    October 5, 2012 7:26 am
    You JUST repeated the same thing i said!!!! The only difference is the numbers you've been carrying around which you just changed from 465 Million to 465 Billion... Kind of a big difference if you didn't know... AND THE POINT STILL STANDS YOU JACKWAGON!!! THE TAX LEAVES A 5 Trillion dollar Revenue gap and Romney "plans" to try to close them by closing loopholes... IF HE CLOSES ALL THOSE LOOPHOLES THEN YOU STILL END UP WITH A LOSS OF 465 BILLION IN REVENUE!!!!! That is and was my point from the VERY BEGINNING.. Yes I understand that the END result Romney is proposing (if he actually followed through and closed those loopholes) would not be a loss of 5 Trillion in Revenue.. EVERYBODY understands that! The 5 Trillion is the gap created by the Tax breaks he's proposing geared towards the wealthy, after that it's take Mitt's word for it that he'll close loopholes and even if he does, you're still talking about adding HALF A TRILLION dollars to the National Debt Rick... Get off the short bus and wake up... Romney lied his Butt off on that stage and Americans aren't that stupid Romney is not going to be elected.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mobeta wrote...
    What you smoken sortsgurbble!
    October 4, 2012 7:58 am
    The adult showed the child who was in command. The CEO showed up and took the kid to school as i have been saying for years! Obummer showed he is an empty suit especially when there is no teleprompter!!! That was the worst performance ever! Showed he has no idea what he is doing and had no command of anything especially any real facts. Tough to defend a record when it's indefensible! Hope and change now is just hope. The CEO showed he has total command of the issues and the facts. Obummer was exposed as the amateur he is! Pitiful performance! And people hired this clown to run the biggest economy in the world and holds the keys to the military? God help us!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    @mobeta
    October 4, 2012 8:08 am
    Exactly! Obama is in shofar ver his head that if he wasn't screwing this country up so badly, it would be laughable. You could tell he wanted to be anywhere but there last night. Probably wishing e was on "The View" or Entertainment Tonight" or Playing Golf" or hang with JayZ and Beyonce'.... The man is a FAILURE!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Sports guy ?
    October 4, 2012 8:09 am
    are you hearing voices now?

    The entire DNC is in a panic.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • logical open mind wrote...
    Sportsguru-u didnt watch all the debate or u r too biased.
    October 4, 2012 8:57 am
    You didnt hear open up alaska and federal land drilling, approve Keystone pipleline, modify Dodd-Frank to help people get bank loans, replace Obamacare which business owners say is keeping them from hiring. This is just one topic and he repeated his points-twice.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • spot on wrote...
    guru
    October 4, 2012 9:38 am
    we have seen Obama's specifics and in less than 4 years he had added to the deficit amost more than all other presidents before him combined.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Bread and circuses...
    October 4, 2012 7:32 am
    To heck with the facts. To heck with putting forth a consistent position.

    Both candidates proved, decisively, that they possess the one quality that we Americans demand from our political leaders....they can lie with a straight face. They will say anything to get elected, and change their stories as many times as needed as they charge along the campaign trail.

    In the American Coliseum of gladiatorial politics, Romney mopped the floor with Obama last night. Give Romney a ton of credit, but Obama seemed guilty of assuming he could just throw his jersey into the ring and would walk away with a glorious victory. Romney was prepared and on his game. Obama was not.

    Congrats to Mitt on a great job of playing a dirty game. (Not that Mitt specifically played dirty, the game itself is dirty).

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Boils down to Donald Trump, and the $17,500 deduction "cap"...
    October 4, 2012 7:45 am
    Romney's camp very shrewdly released a detail of his tax plan on a day when everybody was distracted by the build-up to the debate. A lot of the middle class in America is making mortgage payments, and those folks need to be aware of the detail released by Romney.

    According to the Romney camp, his tax plan will limit tax deductions (from ordinary income) to $17,500. Sounds like a lot of deductions, until one considers the amount of home mortgage interest typically paid by the middle class. It wouldn't be unusual at all for a middle class family to pay $2000- $3000 per month for a house payment. Particularly in the early years of a mortgage, the overwhelming majority of that payment is interest. Currently that interest is tax deductible. Under a $17,500 deduction "cap" less than $1500 per month mortgage interest would be deductible, and if a taxpayer deducted the first $17,500 of mortgage interest he or she would not be able to take any other deductions at all.

    That's a very clever political trick. One can say, "Oh, no! We're not eliminating the home mortgage deduction, or any of the other deductions important to the middle class!"....and technically be correct. Not eliminating them, simply forcing a taxpayer to pick and choose which deductions to take in order to stay below a newly imposed "cap" on deductions.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Chuck - did you fail to lower your mortgage interest rates when you could (and there is still time - if you've got good credit).
    October 4, 2012 8:17 am
    $1400/month is about a $400,000 mortgage. @ 20% down, that's a $500,000 house. - At TODAY'S prices. Translate that to 4+ years ago and that was a $600,000 house. ... I guess still middle class, but higher end.

    But more to the point, home mortgage deductions are about as sacred as they get. Republicans in Congress are not stupid - and that's probably the biggest deduction of THEIR taxes as well. ... So, don't count on it going away.

    No matter HOW you try to spin it.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Ron, my mortgage interest rate is ZERO, thanks.
    October 4, 2012 5:38 pm
    Appreciate your concern.

    Mort= death

    gage = grip

    mortgage = death grip.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @Chuck
    October 4, 2012 8:21 am
    Yep it does say that, but why not include the rest? His plan ALSO lowers the tax rate so as he stated during the debate it would be revenue neutral i.e. even with the lower deduction cap people would NOT be paying more in taxes because he also reduced the tax rate. Also with the housing bubble burst, there are alot less Americans paying interset on mortages especially the poor and lower middle class. Chuck you have no clue what you are talking about and seem to be rambling talking points that are untrue same as Obama did last night during the debate.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    10-04-2012 It boils down to...
    October 4, 2012 7:51 am
    Spin it any way you want... 0bama's got bupkus... Romney pretty well mopped the floor with "dear leader".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    I'm not a doctor but
    October 4, 2012 8:19 am
    I think Obama should put ice on that burn. He got roasted, baked, saute'd and boiled.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Chuckster wrote...
    Obama got owned
    October 4, 2012 8:21 am
    You know it's bad when million dollar Obama super PAC donor Bill Maher says "Obama really DOES need a teleprompter".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    with an apology to The Byrds (and Ecclesiastes) / AGAIN
    October 4, 2012 8:34 am
    For everything - Spin, Spin, Spin

    there is an excuse - Spin, Spin, Spin.

    Leave it to Dave Ross to grasp at the (ex) wizard's failed attempt at a zinger to play the 'rich' card again. ... Sorry, Dave, but your hero just can't cut it without his trusty teleprompter (and he WAS looking for it). He just can't get his own figures or facts right without it.

    Oh, BTW. Nice it was JUST you and Dori on after the debate.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Chuckster wrote...
    The empty chair would have done a better job debating Romney
    October 4, 2012 8:38 am
    ..........and the media gets teary eyed.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Roark wrote...
    liberals are funny
    October 4, 2012 8:41 am
    You guys want "specifics" from Romney in a debate where they're allowed 2-3 minutes to speak, yet Obama forced a 2200 page health care on the country and his key operative, Nancy Pelosi, said publicly that we could find out what is in the bill ONLY AFTER WE PASS IT! Libs are hypocrites. Romney told us the main points of his plan. If you libs all that interested in the "details" of Romney's plan (which I doubt you really are) then go to his website and read about it!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Roark
    October 4, 2012 10:02 am
    You got upset with Pelosi's remarks so you should also be upset with Romney ducking the specifics of his health care proposal.Perhaps he cannot go in depth in a short timespan but he certainly could release the details so that the public can know what to expect.NO NO NO Romney did not tell us the specifics of his plan,thats SILLY TALK.WHAT programs is he going to cut and how much does he plan to cut from each?We need to see if the MATH ADDS UP.He said that Government jobs would be cut by attrition that will take years. He needs to make up $7,000,000,000 in additional taxes just to pay for the 100,000 added troops and military equipment and the across the board tax break he proposes
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @messiah101
    October 4, 2012 11:08 am
    Gosh for being a messiah you sure are lazy and dumb! Here is the link to plan: http://www.mittromney.com/issues/health-care NOTE: I doubt you can read and comprehend it as it is an outline of bullet points with direct details linked to each bullet point.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @messiah
    October 4, 2012 11:12 am
    Again you post lies instead of the facts, I suggest you read every issue response Romney has before you post, and don't forget to click on each bullet point to get the details: http://www.mittromney.com/issues

    P.S. fact check says Obama was lying about the $5T deficit Romneys tax plan would cause. Fact Check said it would be about $454M/year.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BarnDerk wrote...
    The Tax code
    October 4, 2012 8:46 am
    Listening to the debate last night, it sounded like Romneys plan was to simplify the tax code. I can see that would be very unpopular with some, but I think for most it would be a good thing, given the balance at the bottom of 1040 was the same. I see everyone is asking for specifics, the details, but big projects, great achievements often start with a sketch on a napkin, with a lot of people involved in development.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    BarnDerk
    October 4, 2012 9:11 am
    I am sorry BarnDerk , but you can't run the greatest government on the face of the planet with a sketch on a napkin. America is not a start up company.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @sportsguru
    October 4, 2012 9:17 am
    But Obama doesn't even have a sketch on a napkin. All Obama has is talking points. Obama lets the democrat in congress make the plans and they all failed.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    A cocktail napkin is exactly what got us into this mess
    October 4, 2012 11:11 am
    A curve drawn by Arthur Betz Laffer
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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