Romney takes debate to Obama over economy, health care

cnn ^ | updated 12:17 AM EDT, Thu October 4, 2012 | Tom Cohen

[Red Steel]

(CNN) -- A forceful Mitt Romney went toe-to-toe with President Barack Obama on the dominant issues for voters, challenging the Democrat's policies on the economy, taxes and health care in the first of three debates ahead of the November election.

In exchanges full of policy proposals, facts and figures, the Republican challenger was more aggressive in the 90-minute encounter in criticizing Obama's record and depicting the president's vision as one of big government. Photos: Preparing for first debate Photos: Preparing for first debate Create viral moments from debate 'October surprise' could be game changer Romney's past rival: Don't count him out

The president firmly defended his achievements and challenged his rival's prescriptions as unworkable.

Neither candidate scored dramatic blows that will make future highlight reels, and neither veered from campaign themes and policies to date.

But Romney came off as the more energized candidate overall by repeatedly attacking Obama on red-meat issues for Republicans such as health care reform and higher taxes, while the president began with lengthy explanations and only later focused more on what his opponent was saying.

Moderator Jim Lehrer of PBS, at times, tried without success to keep the candidates within time limits for responses, especially Obama, who ended up speaking four minutes longer than Romney.

"A week ago, people were saying this was over. We've got a horse race," said CNN Senior Political Analyst David Gergen, who called the debate Romney's best so far after the 22 the former Massachusetts governor took part in during the GOP primary campaign.

-snip-

A CNN/ORC International poll of 430 people who watched the debate showed 67% thought Romney won, compared to 25% for Obama.

[Gator113]

“A week ago, people were saying this was over. “

It is over and Obama has lost. Put a fork in Obama, he’s done.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Obama can come back at it with “a new aggressiveness”. But he cannot reverse course on his health care or economic policies.

Game over.

[Nasher]

"A week ago, people were saying this was over. We've got a horse race"

Yeah, right. Going forward about as much of a horse race as Secretariat "squeaking by".

What's devastating about the 67-25 beatdown is that poll was skewed 37% Democrat and 33% Republican. If this were the other way around it would have been something like 75-18.

CNN purposely oversampled thinking they could drive the whole "Obama won the debate" and their plan backfired.

[goron]