# The second presidential debate: 10/16/2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 16, 2012, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847 "2012-10-16T04:35:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/501 "2012-10-17T02:58:14Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > What was Obama’s comment on the 47%? That in public Romney says he wants to help everyone, but in private he shows his true colors about senior citizens, veterans, soldiers overseas, and people who still pay payroll taxes. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/502 "2012-10-17T02:58:41Z")
“Remember that Mitt is the guy that said 47% of Americans are losers.” Paraphrased but that’s the gist. What else could he have said? It’s a line that writes itself. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/503 "2012-10-17T02:58:50Z")
The web poll now lists zero votes. I think [CNN.com](http://CNN.com) is having trouble. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/504 "2012-10-17T02:59:09Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Does Mrs. Romney always look like someone just sharted on the linens? I’ve never noticed that about her before. Maybe I’ve just never looked at her before. Yes. But she loves the women. Or something. Oh, and she raised 5 boys–with no outside job and a staff of 5 (I think it’s 5). She works HARD. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/505 "2012-10-17T03:00:09Z")
CNN/media cannot see Obama’s stategy. Jessica Yellin interviewed Ploffe in spin room. Asked whether the President should have focused on Romeny or the next four years. Next four years should be topic of last debate. This is the last hour of this 24-hour news cycle. The media was RIGHT about women’s vote, right about other issues. What will/should the next 24-hour news cycle be about? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/506 "2012-10-17T03:01:39Z")
Regarding time, I have a theory about why it seems that Romney is more disrespectful even though Obama gets more time: Romney wants to have the last word, can’t stand to let an argument go unchallenged, so he keeps trying to get a chance to talk last. The moderators don’t like him trying to get another block of time, so they argue with him. Obama speaks in multi-paragraph essays, and (tonight at least) always felt like he was bringing it back around to his point. When it sounds like someone has been building up to a conclusion, it’s a lot harder to cut them off. Obama goes over more, while Romney asks for more occasions to speak. The latter is more obvious than the former. This theory is totally backed up by no evidence at all. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/507 "2012-10-17T03:03:55Z")
You know, I agree with you. That’s how I felt in the last debate as well. Sure, Obama may have gotten more time in that debate, but Romney felt like he was going on longer because he was trying so hard to get the last word on everything. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/508 "2012-10-17T03:04:07Z")
Clear win for Obama tonight. He hit Romney in all his vulnerable spots, was clear and concise, stayed on topic more. Romney kept on missing opportunities, kept avoiding direct answers to questions, and wanted to go back to subjects the debate had already moved on from. On style at least, Romney did okay. He was as alert and articulate as he was at the first debate, but this time was taking on an Obama who was on his game. Best debate performance by Obama, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/509 "2012-10-17T03:04:23Z")
Candy Crowley interviewed on CNN right now. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/510 "2012-10-17T03:05:07Z")
I think you may be right. Obama spoke longer overall, but Romney had more occasions where he tried to speak when it wasn’t his turn. There was one bad moment when Obama spoke rudely over the moderator. But there were at least three where Romney did something similar. ---
**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 17, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/511 "2012-10-17T03:05:32Z")
Kudos, **adaher**. ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/512 "2012-10-17T03:05:59Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > Trickle down economics is still OK. Trickle down government is what doesn’t work. Um… Ok. What is Trickle down government and how is it different from Trickle down economics? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/513 "2012-10-17T03:06:42Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > The Apple store story is true. No cite handy, but I read about it months and months ago. Probably a lot more than just one counterfeit Apple store. What the hell is the President of the United States supposed to do about that? ---
**Author:** ![Curiosity\_Kills\_Her](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Curiosity\_Kills\_Her](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curiosity_Kills_Her)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/514 "2012-10-17T03:06:52Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Regarding time, I have a theory about why it seems that Romney is more disrespectful even though Obama gets more time: > > Romney wants to have the last word, can’t stand to let an argument go unchallenged, so he keeps trying to get a chance to talk last. The moderators don’t like him trying to get another block of time, so they argue with him. > > Obama speaks in multi-paragraph essays, and (tonight at least) always felt like he was bringing it back around to his point. When it sounds like someone has been building up to a conclusion, it’s a lot harder to cut them off. > > Obama goes over more, while Romney asks for more occasions to speak. The latter is more obvious than the former. > > This theory is totally backed up by no evidence at all. Plausible. The other thing I wonder about is how when Obama is interrupted he often pauses or stammers briefly while he reorganizes his thoughts. I’m not sure how that counts toward his speaking time, or if it does at all. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/515 "2012-10-17T03:06:53Z")
The funniest moment was watching both Obama and Romney tiptoe around the gun control question. Two weeks before the election there’s no way either candidate was going to come out for any major gun control bill. That’s Political suicide. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/516 "2012-10-17T03:06:55Z")
Re: Trickle-down economics vs. trickle-down government. They’re very similar in that they are both imaginary, just for different reasons. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/517 "2012-10-17T03:07:32Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > I think you may be right. Obama spoke longer overall, but Romney had more occasions where he tried to speak when it wasn’t his turn. There was one bad moment when Obama spoke rudely over the moderator. But there were at least three where Romney did something similar. Yeah, with Lehrer I didn’t notice it as much, but he really did try to run over Crowley and she wasn’t having it. Smart of Obama to speak up as well. Romney’s got to learn to stay on topic. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/518 "2012-10-17T03:08:12Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Regarding time, I have a theory about why it seems that Romney is more disrespectful even though Obama gets more time: > > Romney wants to have the last word, can’t stand to let an argument go unchallenged, so he keeps trying to get a chance to talk last. The moderators don’t like him trying to get another block of time, so they argue with him. > > Obama speaks in multi-paragraph essays, and (tonight at least) always felt like he was bringing it back around to his point. When it sounds like someone has been building up to a conclusion, it’s a lot harder to cut them off. > > Obama goes over more, while Romney asks for more occasions to speak. The latter is more obvious than the former. > > This theory is totally backed up by no evidence at all. I think it’s a good one. The time advantage for Obama was only four minutes, but aside from that one egregious refusal to let it go toward the end, he wasn’t constantly whining about the time and talking over the moderator. Romney draws attention to going over the time limit by making such a show about it. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/519 "2012-10-17T03:08:38Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > What the hell is the President of the United States supposed to do about that? I have no clue. I mean, I think the US Patent system need an overhaul. But that wouldn’t directly affect what China does at all. Romney spoke about making sure China played by the same rules, but I’m not sure how he proposes to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/520 "2012-10-17T03:08:47Z")
I’ve occasionally wondered what would happen if they just … lost it. Say, right in the middle of the debate, a coincidental consilience of conditions just correct to cause craziness in the candidates. Obama suffers a neurological reaction to prednisone (or something); Romney undergoes a disorienting petit-mal seizure with temporary amnesia. Filled with rage he can no longer discern the reasons for, Obama leaps on Romney and Romney returns fire. For the split second it takes secret service to separate them, they’re screaming and spitting and smashing and tearing at each other’s hair. Black eyes and bite marks. Torn neckties. Would the country ever live it down? Dunno. But man, it would’ve been awesome. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847.md?page=27)