Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Obama blew the chance tonight to be the candidate who inspired a nation in 2008.
His too-pat attack lines fell hideously flat, and his weird laser stare into Romney's cranium made for an odd split screen image the entire night. Once again, Obama was playing for points with the MSNBC demo and trying to score what I call "squee points" with his base.
Romney was playing for big, Presidential, knowledgeable. He didn't let Obama rattle his cage, and didn't drop the ball. It was another night where Obama needed a knockout punch, but after a few dozen wild, missed haymakers, he didn't get there.
Not a particularly edifying or informative exercise, but Romney walked away from it with a performance that won't alter the terrain...and he didn't need one. Obama needed a big kill, and missed the mark.
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Comments:
May '10
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Saw this on Twitter:
Paging EJHill....
Mar '11
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
It's too bad the Marines protecting our Ambassador in Benghazi didn't have their bayonets to hand. Oh, wait - there were no Marines?
Dec '11
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Obama seemed to have a better grasp on, or better ability to explain, his policies. That's to be expected. He has been president for 4 years, and he knows what has gone on behind the scenes in a way Romney cannot. But Romney did as well as he could, remained likable, seemed competent and should not scare away swing voters. Foreign policy is not where most people will be voting (though I know some lefties who won't vote O for the drone issue). The only real gaffe on Romney's part was calling out the president for not putting out a plan midway through the bebate. That charge would have been more effective at the end, after Obama would have wasted 90 minutes on attack and would have no chance to respond.
May '10
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Did you say bayonets? If I may be so tacky as to copy my own comments from a different thread to this one, where they are more relevant:
And:
May '10
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Charles Allen - Your Facebook Meme is ready on the Member's Page!
Dec '10
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
I thought that Romney used a particular line brilliantly and more than once: "Attacking me is not an agenda" for advancing America's interests in the world.
It was brilliant because it planted the idea in the viewer's mind that every attack Obama launched was an un-Presidential waste of time, and indeed an effort to duck answering the question, "What would YOU do in a second term, Mr. President?"
Dec '10
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
You sir, have just won the internet.
The entire thing.
Everyone else can go home now, it's all over.
Apr '11
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Stuart Creque: I thought that Romney used a particular line brilliantly and more than once: "Attacking me is not an agenda" for advancing America's interests in the world.
It was brilliant because it planted the idea in the viewer's mind that every attack Obama launched was an un-Presidential waste of time, and indeed an effort to duck answering the question, "What would YOU do in a second term, Mr. President?" · 6 minutes ago
Agreed.
Still, Mitt's done his bit, now. There won't be another chance for him to turn this around before election day.
Now, it's our turn. Mitt's brought the result to a razor edge, with WI, CO, VA, OH, FL, PA, OR, NH, IA, and NV within the margin of error. He's delivered us the opportunity to win this election for America by calling, donating, fundraising, election monitoring, doorstepping (if in a swing state) and generally giving it all we've got. Don't lets let America down.
Jan '11
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Tomorrow, Romney should mount a horse, fix a bayonet, and lance a giant Big Bird puppet with a binder as strapped to its head
Jan '11
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Oops, should have read Charles Hill's post. My bad!
Apr '12
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
James Of England:
Agreed.
Then, after the election and after Romney's inauguration in January, our REAL work begins.
Nov '11
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Mark Wilson: Did you say bayonets? If I may be so tacky as to copy my own comments from a different thread to this one, where they are more relevant:
And:
Those aircraft carrier thingies? You know, those big boats that Obama says we have nowadays that planes land on? Don't they go around with task forces? You know, big flotillas of smaller ships that serve as screeners, anti-aircraft platforms, missile platforms, patrol boats, mine sweepers, sub-chasers, and supply ships?
May '10
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Can we please hammer Obama about how stupid he looked talking about the military!? You'd think after 4 years as CinC, he'd have a clue. A serious leader would have to know terminology and tactics just to converse with senior military leadership. His ignorance was on full display. I predict he lost Virginia over this.
May '10
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Isn't an aircraft carrier a ship?
Jun '12
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Richard Fulmer
Mark Wilson: Did you say bayonets? If I may be so tacky as to copy my own comments from a different thread to this one, where they are more relevant:
And:
Those aircraft carrier thingies? You know, those big boats that Obama says we have nowadays that planes land on? Don't they go around with task forces? You know, big flotillas of smaller ships that serve as screeners, anti-aircraft platforms, missile platforms, patrol boats, mine sweepers, sub-chasers, and supply ships? · 5 hours ago
But... but... but... he's the smartest President EVAR! He can't possibly be wrong!
Sep '10
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
Romney won by moving away form GWB's domestic and foreign policy positions. His positions boiled down to, " I am not going to start any wars like that idiot Bush did and lets not forget he was the first president to try to bail out the auto industry and I was opposed to his idea, just like I was opposed to yours."
Romney needed to convince voters of three things during this campaign, Obama would not do any better in a second term, Romney was qualified and that he was not another GWB. He managed to do this in the three debates and should win going away.
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
hehe thanks
CoolHand
You sir, have just won the internet.
The entire thing.
Everyone else can go home now, it's all over. · 15 hours ago
Sep '12
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
No, it's actually a boat. They're nuclear, hence no funnel for exhaust. Hence a boat among Navy types. Submarines are also boats.
Apr '11
Re: Big Bird, Binders, Bayonets
liberal jim: Romney won by moving away form GWB's domestic and foreign policy positions. His positions boiled down to, " I am not going to start any wars like that idiot Bush did and lets not forget he was the first president to try to bail out the auto industry and I was opposed to his idea, just like I was opposed to yours."
Romney needed to convince voters of three things during this campaign, Obama would not do any better in a second term, Romney was qualified and that he was not another GWB. He managed to do this in the three debates and should win going away. · 10 hours ago
He repeatedly pointed out that we should be ready to fight wars. He wasn't in favor of specific military opportunities (and hopefully won't have any arise), but I never got the impression that he was saying that another 9/11 wouldn't be followed by another Afghanistan. He never walked back his support for the Iraq and Afghan wars.