Romney, Obama square off in polite debate

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 210/4/10 | Carla Marinucci and Joe Garofoli

[SmithL]

In a lively and unusually civilized debate Wednesday, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney clashed on who would be the better champion of the middle class - a match that provided high drama but no critical game-changers.

The former Massachusetts governor delivered a confident, often aggressive and energetic performance. It was among the best of his campaign and in clear contrast to the president, whose delivery was more muted, measured and, at times, meandering.

The first of three presidential debates offered Americans their first side-by-side comparison of Obama and Romney and came at a pivotal moment in the 2012 presidential race.

There are 33 days until the election, and early voting has begun in 34 states. Romney, who has slipped in recent swing-state polls, needed a breakout performance in the event, at the University of Denver.

The debate, moderated by PBS newscaster Jim Lehrer, a veteran of the format, was designed to allow the candidates to focus on domestic issues: health care, the economy and the role of government.

Major gaffes were absent, zingers were rare, and without any kind of body slam, the campaign advantage may still lie with the incumbent.

[SmithL]

the campaign advantage may still lie with the incumbent

Only in San Francisco!

[stephenjohnbanker]

or Provincetown, Mass.

[rwa265]

Why is my head spinning?

[deweyfrank]

Or Delaware.

[knarf]

or the bathhouse

[blueunicorn6]

I would suspect that there will be a HUGE sale of keyboards today as the old media bravely writes on as their tears stream down upon their keyboards......ruining them.

[CaptainAmiigaf]

I swear, the instant I saw this came from San Frantic I bet myself $10.00 I knew what drivel would be said.
I’ll spend my winnings on Chinese food tonight.

[CarmichaelPatriot]

Meanwhile, gas prices in mostly Liberal California have jumped 5% in the last week.

[loveliberty2]

Perhaps the "altitude" Gore spoke of affected the writers of this piece also! (Sarc)

[GSWarrior]

I don't want to get all quasi-religious or anything, but I think that there are unseen forces at work and that Obama's life path will include doses of humility. Whether he learns from them is no guarantee.

Call it karma, what-goes-around-comes-around, or "do unto others....."

I believe God sets things into motion for people that they to learn.

[GSWarrior]

Gas is up 30 cents from last night at the Shell near my office!

[blueunicorn6]

Friends, do you have an old, unused keyboard at your house? Please join me in sending your old keyboards to the San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times during our CRY ME A RIVER OLD MEDIA KEYBOARD REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN.

[blueunicorn6]

THE OLD MEDIA DEBATE SONG
Sung to the tune of Roy Orbison’s song CRYING.....

I was alright for awhile
I could smile for awhile
But then I watched you last night
You looked like a deer in the headlight
When you stopped to think “Oh no!”
And though I wished you well
Your polls all fell
And now I’m cry-a-yi-a-yin over you!
Cry-a-yi-a-yin over you!
Yes, now you’ll be gone
But from this moment on
I’ll be cryin’, cryin’, cryyyyyyyin’
Oooooover you!