# The first presidential debate: 10/3/2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 3, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602 "2012-10-03T17:16:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/421 "2012-10-04T17:04:36Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > You hire someone to build your house. As soon as he starts work, a gang of bullies blocks the lumber deliveries, tears down the work as it goes up, steals the tools, and shouls on bullhorns to passers by about what an asshole the worker is for not geting the house done. Would you blame the builder for not meeting his deadline? Zactly. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/422 "2012-10-04T17:05:23Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > But that’s hard to talk about because (a) it sounds whiny to talk too much about how things were when he took over, life isn’t fair, yada yada yada, and (b) pointing out that things are bad now after 4 years of Obama presidency is obviously not something that he really wants to be doing. I share this intuition, and agree that it is political conventional wisdom, but I’m not sure it’s anything more than that. In other words, what evidence do we have that it’s a bad strategy to keep bringing that stuff up? As far as I know, this argument is the very reason Obama is keeping things close on job approval for handling of the economy. When I try to put myself in the shoes of an undecided voter, I like to think about foreign elections that I’m only vaguely following. Swing voters aren’t necessarily dumb. They just don’t care about politics and don’t follow closely. It doesn’t mean they don’t care about relevant information. I think the people who say it’s weak to talk about context have persuaded us that it is true, that it is whining. But it isn’t whining, really. It’s completely relevant. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/423 "2012-10-04T17:07:06Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > \ > I think Obama is arguing from a tough position, \. I agree, it’s easy to promise things when you’re on the outside. I thought then that Obama promised a lot of things he didn’t have sole control over but nobody forced him to do so. Chickens coming home to roost & all that. ---
**Author:** ![Anduril](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Anduril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduril)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/424 "2012-10-04T17:09:04Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > This is probably just my disappointment in Obama’s performance talking, but I had a thought. Could Obama have purposefully avoided mentioning things like 47%, Bain, Caymens, etc because he knew that those topics would get talked about more if he said nothing than if he’d brought them up? All I’m hearing today in all of these post-mortems this morning are “Why didn’t Obama bring this or that up?” It may cause undecideds to notice, instead of having it lost in the storm of the debate. > > Or maybe I’m reaching. Romney would have prepared his response to those topics a long time ago and would have been itching for Obama to mention them in the debates. Obama avoided those topics because it would have given Romney a better platform for explaining them than in any of the response ads that Romney could come up with. Plus, Romney could then accuse Obama of playing dirty politics while in the same breath dish out dirt on Obama himself. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/425 "2012-10-04T17:11:26Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > I agree, it’s easy to promise things when you’re on the outside. I thought then that Obama promised a lot of things he didn’t have sole control over but nobody forced him to do so. > Chickens coming home to roost & all that. > _Last edited by dba Fred; Today at 10:09 AM. Reason:_\* p.s. didn’t vote for him then, won’t be voting for him now\*\*\* LOL. You don’t say! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/426 "2012-10-04T17:11:46Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > But the builder told me “Yes we can!” > Not “Yes we can” unless “a gang of bullies blocks the lumber deliveries, tears down the work as it goes up, steals the tools, and shouls on bullhorns to passers by about what an asshole the worker is for not geting the house done” happens. > > The builder can go after the others if they interfere with him, my contract is with the builder to do a job. But you hired the bullies, too. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/427 "2012-10-04T17:13:26Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > LOL. You don’t say! You forgot to say “Bolding yours” since it’s not nice to mess with the poster’s words. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/428 "2012-10-04T17:14:46Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > But the builder told me “Yes we can!” > Not “Yes we can” unless “a gang of bullies blocks the lumber deliveries, tears down the work as it goes up, steals the tools, and shouls on bullhorns to passers by about what an asshole the worker is for not geting the house done” happens. > > The builder can go after the others if they interfere with him, my contract is with the builder to do a job. Which takes a shit-ton of time and effort to go after those spiteful bastards. It’s the People who lost when the GOP stopped doing _their_ fucking job to concentrate solely on attempting to drown the POTUS at every turn for the puerile and petulant sake of making the “other guys” look bad. That particular game is old and sad, and unfortunately it still works all too well these days. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/429 "2012-10-04T17:15:02Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > But you hired the bullies, too. A wise builder takes into account all contingencies. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/430 "2012-10-04T17:15:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > The President of the US is the single most powerful human being in a world teetering towards catastrophe. If that isn’t enough to engage someone’s interest, they should go dig a hole and get in. Amen. I must be biased as a mutha, because at least for the first hour of the debate (the only part I watched), Romney came across as overly agitated and defensive next to a steady and level-headed Obama. Their demeanors were starkly different, and only one of them presented in a manner that didn’t unduly rise my blood pressure. All that trying to get the last word in that Romney did just made him look desperate to prove himself worthy of being listened to. While Obama’s attitude came across as less insecure, more self-assured. Yes, the prez spoke slowly and haltingly, and stumbled over his words in a few places, but I rather my leader take his time speaking, and do so calmly. He came across as more presidential to me. Romney sounded as if he had been well-prepped by his handlers and was maybe buzzing off one of them 5-hour energy dealies, but in my eyes, this only underscores the fact that Obama is busy trying to run a country while Romney is busy trying to win a campaign. That said, I give him points for sounding more like a quick-footed politician than the clueless blunder he’s been imitating for the last few months. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/431 "2012-10-04T17:17:07Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Which takes a shit-ton of time and effort to go after those spiteful bastards. > > It’s the People who lost when the GOP stopped doing _their_ fucking job, just to try and drown the POTUS for the puerile and petulant sake of making the “other guys” look bad. > > That particular game is old and sad, and unfortunately it still works all too well these days. You opinion. That and $1.11 (AARP discount) will get you a cup of coffee at Denny’s. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/432 "2012-10-04T17:19:44Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Amen. > > I must be biased as a mutha, because at least for the first hour of the debate (the only part I watched), Romney came across as overly agitated and defensive next to a steady and level-headed Obama. Their demeanors were starkly different, and only one of them presented in a manner that didn’t unduly rise my blood pressure. All that trying to get the last word in that Romney did just made him look desperate to prove himself worthy of being listened to. While Obama’s attitude came across as less insecure, more self-assured. The CNN response tracker showed him playing far better among women, so that probably has something to do with it. I’m an Obama guy and I though it was a near-squash. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/433 "2012-10-04T17:19:52Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > You opinion. That and $1.11 (AARP discount) will get you a cup of coffee at Denny’s. My opinion will be added to the till come Nov. 6th. Coffee’s on me. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/434 "2012-10-04T17:20:37Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > You forgot to say “Bolding yours” since it’s not nice to mess with the poster’s words. 😉 Well, I am a total meanie. But this raises an interesting question, can you bold your own ETA comment? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/435 "2012-10-04T17:23:38Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > A wise builder takes into account all contingencies. “Well, we can’t beat 'em, may as well join them…” _Punches the Republican Ticket_ ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/436 "2012-10-04T17:24:43Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Well, I am a total meanie. > > But this raises an interesting question, can you bold your own ETA comment? Unsure and am out of the Edit timeframe. Unsure about your total meanieness, I won’t state that as a fact but don’t count on me voting for you, 'kay? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/437 "2012-10-04T17:25:48Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > A wise builder takes into account all contingencies. A wise employer doesn’t hire an honest builder while at the same time hiring a bunch of thugs to prevent him from working. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/438 "2012-10-04T17:29:28Z")
I repeat myself “You opinion. That and $1.11 (AARP discount) will get you a cup of coffee at Denny’s.” And repeat myself again “I don’t hate Obama, I think both candidates want what’s best for the country, each sees a different path to get there.” ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/439 "2012-10-04T17:34:37Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > “Well, we can’t beat 'em, may as well join them…” _Punches the Republican Ticket_ But will you respect us in the morning? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602/440 "2012-10-04T17:35:16Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > And repeat myself again “I don’t hate Obama, I think both candidates want what’s best for the country, each sees a different path to get there.” For one, I indeed hate Romney, and I don’t think he wants what’s best for the country. He wants to raid the US treasury the same way that his band of pirates at Bain plundered helpless corporations. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-presidential-debate-10-3-2012/636602.md?page=23)