Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
For the first time, tonight, I managed to see an entire debate while it was happening without interruption. To do so I had to go to my office to get a better internet connection.
My overall impression was that Barack Obama did much better than he did last time and that he spoke at much greater length than Mitt Romney.
Romney himself did well nearly all of the time. On points, I think it a tie; on manner and presentation, I thought that Romney came off as the genuine item and that Obama seemed at times a phoney.
On one point, Romney got flustered and did poorly. He should have hammered Obama over Benghazi. He began to; Obama lied; and Candy Crowley waded in to confirm the lie. In the Rose Garden, Obama did not speak of "a terrorist act"; he spoke of an "act of senseless violence."
I suspect that this lie will come back to haunt Barack Obama. Everyone who has paid attention knows that it was untrue, and that will leave a sour taste in the mouths of many Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.
My bet is that in the polls Mitt Romney continues to advance. The last debate will be interesting.
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Feb '11
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
Final debate is about foreign policy. Does that include Fast and Furious?
Apr '12
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
No wonder Romney gets govt working because he is such a well mannered and gracious person, joe Biden types would be sent out of the room.
Dec '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
I'd be happy if the last debate was simply moderated.
May '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
Surfing around the last few minutes...we know so much, we get frustrated and disappointed when Mitt misses an opportunity for the kill.
Mitt did well where he needed to...economy, gas and oil, etc. Obama's halo is broken. This debate did not change that. I think Mitt continues to gain into the next debate and starts showing above 50% in many battleground states. Most voters aren't like us gang...they now KNOW Mitt can do a better job. It's now ok for them to vote for him.
Don't be discouraged...we were spoiled by last time. Most "low-info" voters aren't watching these after the first one. It's okay.
Aug '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
Exactly the lies always come back and the people are becoming so skeptical that lying is not the default certainty it once was.
May '12
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
I do not know what happened to Romney over Libya. Maybe he had a slightly off night. That happens.
He will prep more for the next debate. Any fallout over Hillary's falling on Obama's sword (which, repeating myself, is a hell of an image) may have sorted itself out by then.
NPR called this a draw, and suggested that Obama needed more than a draw.
BTW, 40 vs 44 minutes? It kinda depends what you do with those minutes.
Oct '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
I saw only the last 40 minutes.
I wonder how many of the genuine undecideds will notice Obama's vault on two key questions:
1. "Who denied the request for additional security at the Libya embassy?"
2. "Please take a moment to respond to a misperception that voters have of you."
O's response to 2 really bugged me, since he used it as an opportunity to attack Romney instead of defend himself. I'm just hoping that his cheap shot turns off a few more lingering undecideds.
Edited on October 17, 2012 at 5:02amMay '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
I only saw the second half. I thought Romney far better. Obama was rude and full of hot air. Glib and aggressive, but unconvincing. Romney advances.
Aug '12
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
If Libya becomes an issue in the coming weeks, it will benefit the GOP since it calls attention to the utter incompetence of the Obama administration. In the short run though, Mitt was not forceful enough when confronted by a man emboldened by the office he holds. The crappy clip with Crowley and Obama misleading casual listeners was tough to watch, especially as Mitt was just sitting there and taking it.
Mitt should have turned Obama's strong words about the office of the presidency into how someone like him would never have allowed such dysfunction within his closest inner circle when American lives and reputation is at stake globally.
Edited on October 17, 2012 at 5:03amAug '12
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
I hope so, but I fear that the Libya clip since it involved the most heated and emotional exchange will be the most discussed and replayed.
Mar '11
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
I caught about 20 minutes here and there. It seemed to me we were watching a heavyweight fight between a highly skilled fighter (Romney) and a tomato can (Obama). The only hope the tomato can has is to tie up his opponent, frustrate him, and limit the use of his skills. In other words, he has to make the fight ugly. Obama succeeded in that respect but I'm not sure anyone comes away thinking he's a champ.
Jul '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
I think all registered democrat voters and republican voters should not be able to vote, because, well, We know how they'll vote.
Just registered "uncommitted [substituted for undecided] voters " at the booths.
Boy, how would that ever change the process.
Sep '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
Sadly, I think Romney whiffed this one. Last 30 minutes were weak. Should have nailed Obama on Fast and Furious and Libya. Press has their "comeback kid" stories preloaded in their laptops, so that's tomorrow's line.
Nov '11
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
Keith Preston:
Obama's halo is broken. This debate did not change that. 1 minute ago
Exactly.
Apr '11
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
From the immediate reactions, media are calling it a big win for Obama on the Libya question. Was I off in praising Romney so much on economic questions?
CBS snap poll says Obama won by 7 %. "Tie" got more votes than Mitt.
Jul '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
Obama lied -- it is the only word -- about what he said in the Rose Garden. He was asked who denied the request for enhanced security and why, and he simply ignored the question. His "answer" was entirely non-responsive. He must be thrashed relentlessly, by the Romney campaign as well as the media, on both accounts. The next 48 hours will tell the tale.
Apr '11
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
To follow up, if you dig into the CBS poll, 65% say Romney won on the issue of the economy. Hopefully , that will be the takeaway.
Sep '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
"Obama lied; and Candy Crowley waded in to confirm the lie"
These Two-On-One debate formats aren't very good. Even so, Romney seems to win because Obama has a record that can't be defended (no matter how many people try to help him out)
May '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
Re terrorist act, the specific quote in the Rose Garden speech was this:
It's one of those that could go either way. There were better ways to address the Libyan issue.
Jul '10
Re: Obama, Candy Crowley, and Libya
This is good news: CBS snap poll had Obama winning the last one by 19%. I feel much better now.
Edited on October 17, 2012 at 5:45am