Cerially relieved that Mitt didn't lie down and roll over like Juan did!!!!!!
Posted on 10/04/2012 2:39:02 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When Wendy Larson arrived to watch Wednesday night's presidential debate at Ann's Choice in Warminster, she had already decided on voting for incumbent President Barack Obama.
"I made up my mind after the conventions," said Larson. "When I saw the Republicans, I didn't think they represented me."
Ninety minutes later, Larson found herself back on the fence over how she will cast her ballot on November 6.
"Romney acquitted himself well," she said. "He showed he has more experience in dealing with the country's problems."
Judging by the real time reactions posted by Patch users in Bucks and Montgomery counties during last night's liveblog of the debate, the general consensus is that Romney won the first of three scheduled debates between the candidates.
"Mitt won, hands down," commented user Joe Moon. "Obama was clearly out of his league. But that is the difference between a community organizer, and a real man from the real world."
The local and national trend is that Wednesday was Romney's night, which is undoubtedly good news for a campaign that struggled in September.
"I loved his aggressiveness, he stood up for himself, I was delighted with his performance tonight and it shows the public what kind of leader he can be," said Pat Poprik, chair of the Bucks County Republican Committee. “I think the strongest point [Romney] made tonight was how he wants to attack the deficit and the economy. His plan is real and valid. You have to stop spending, just like a household budget. Undoubtedly, Romney won tonight. There is no doubt in my mind he won tonight.”
As of midnight, Patch readers clearly declared Republican candidate Mitt Romney as the winner in a post-debate poll, giving him 69 percent of the vote.
"It’s night and day and the reality is out here in the public," said Ray Babcock as he stood outside the Bucks County Republican Committee headquarters in Doylestown. "This President is leading us down the wrong path. I liked Romney’s statements on the economy, taxes, the whole bit. I think Romney really handled the debate well and he is coming from the heart, he’s passionate, and you can hear that he is American. I think Obama’s intentions are good, but he is off a little bit in his understanding."
President Obama was not without his own supporters, however.
“I have been pleased with the caliber of the debate," said Kevin Green, a volunteer at the Bucks County Democratic Field Office in Doylestown. "I think there are some good points being made by both sides and both sides are representing their views, but I think Obama’s message is coming across very clear. He supports a different vision in dealing with the economy and moving America forward."
The face-off was the first debate between the two candidates and took place at the University of Colorado. Moderated by PBS anchor Jim Lehrer, the topics focused on domestic policy issues, including jobs, the economy, entitlements and the overall function of government in American society.
"Mitt definitely won tonight," said Patch reader and frequent blogger Mike Shortall. "President looked tired and harried. Mitt spoke much better, and clearly laid out his framework for the country, especially economically. Much better performance than I expected."
Despite the 90 minutes of back and forth and clear philosophical distinctions, the major takeaway from the debate occurred early on during an exchange over federal spending. Romney stated that part of his plans include cutting Obamacare and funding for public broadcasting.
"I'm sorry, Jim, I'm going to stop the subsidy to PBS," Romney said to debate moderator Jim Lehrer. "I'm going to stop other things. I like PBS, I love Big Bird. Actually I like you, too. But I'm not going to -- I'm not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for [it]."
The line was quickly jumped on by social media users and by the end of the debate, the #bigbird hashtag was trending on Twitter and a fake Big Bird account had been created.
"Romney plans to fire Big Bird!!! WTF!! That's his plan????" commented Joann Cosgrove.
The other common takeaway from last night's debate is that Lehrer did not perform well as moderator. His efforts to cut the candidate's off because they ran over their allotted time or he wished to change subjects were repeatedy ignored.
"Lehrer clearly can not control the candidates," said user Scott Johnson.
Next on the schedule is the vice presidential debate on Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. between incumbent Joe Biden and Republican candidate Paul Ryan. They will meet at Centre College in Kentucky, with ABC's Martha Raddatz presiding.
Obama and Romney will meet again on Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., for a town hall-style debate, with CNN's Candy Crowley as moderator, followed by the final debate on foreign policy on October 22 at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., moderated by CBS' Bob Scheiffer.
Cerially relieved that Mitt didn't lie down and roll over like Juan did!!!!!!
Did anyone ever find out her name and details about her? We knew more about “Joe the Plumber” two hours after he talked to then Senator Obama than his mother did.
You know.
a real man from the real world
The “take-away” quote. Love it.
The MSM cannot reduce this to sound bites. 50 million Americans SAW Romney kick butt...
Toto pulled curtain back last night and the entire nation saw that Obama was just a giant humbug, a fraud, an empty chair. Just like in the Wizard of Oz, once the curtain is pulled back, there is no such thing as pulling it closed again. It's over!
can’t wait for the vice-president to debate Ryan.
the gaffe-master will arrive without his straight jacket and can only rely on his brain. much like the obamanation last night. no teleprompter to tell him what to say.
Ryan will destroy him just by showing up. rats are enjoying halloween early this year. they have to do it without their masks on.
blessings, bobo
the gaffe-master Jabber Jaws
Last night’s debate informed America very clearly why we’ll never see Obama’s college transcripts.
The message is "Vote Romney...the republic depends upon it."
The geography of this is telling. If Obama loses people in Bucks and Montgomery counties, he is finished in Pennsylvania.
PA Ping!
If you want on/off the PA Ping List, please freepmail me. Thanks!
Poster child for affirmative action!
Liberals support federal subsidies for billionaires like Big Bird!
That’s hysterical. In 2008 we had Obamagirl - now we have the Obamaphone lady!
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