# 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:** 29
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/561 "2012-10-17T03:28:06Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > Candy was more firm with Romney than Obama, although it’s not clear if this is due to her being annoyed with Romney’s behavior or whether she felt it was needed to keep the debate moving along. … It was because Romney challenged her more and talked over her more then Obama did. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/562 "2012-10-17T03:29:07Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > He was referring to 9/11. Er, yes, that was when the Benghazi attack happened, so we’re not talking about two utterly disconnected realities. ---
**Author:** ![Nazarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nazarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nazarene)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/563 "2012-10-17T03:29:51Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > 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. The best part would be Biden running into the ring with a folding chair. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/564 "2012-10-17T03:30:05Z")
> [@Honesty](#): > > My analysis: Obama won. Obama’s performance today made me wonder if the first debate was a feint. I kind of thought that Obama might have pulled punches in the first debate to keep SuperPAC money with Romney and prevent it from going to down ticket races instead. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/565 "2012-10-17T03:30:41Z")
Is the whole freakin’ debate going to boil down to the Libya terrorist remark??? ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/566 "2012-10-17T03:30:45Z")
Well, I guess we know what the right-wing spin is going to be. It didn’t even take until tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/567 "2012-10-17T03:30:52Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > It was because Romney challenged her more and talked over her more then Obama did. He learned from Gingrich that attacking the moderator plays well. When will Republican politicians ever learn to take responsibility for their lives? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/568 "2012-10-17T03:30:54Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Romney: “If the illegals can’t get jobs and benefits here, they’ll make the decision to go where they have more opportunity.” > > WTF?? Cool new slogan: AMERICA!!! LAND of [DEL]OPPORTUNITY!!![/DEL] Misery and hardship. Seriously, don’t bother. ---
**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, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/569 "2012-10-17T03:31:13Z")
Here is the transcipt of Obama’s comments on SEptember 12: > **[Fox News Flash | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/category/media/fox-news-flash)** > > Fox News Flash keeps you up to date on the news being made and opinions being given across all of Fox News’ platforms. In context he is clearly referring to the attack as one of a set of “acts of terror.” ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/570 "2012-10-17T03:32:08Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > And 33% are undecided. Why do we even ask these idiots? Because they are Americans! ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/571 "2012-10-17T03:32:15Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > An act of terror caused by a video? Do they really want to make this their story? Please proceed **adaher** … ---
**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, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/572 "2012-10-17T03:32:30Z")
Yeah, reading that transcript it’s pretty obviously referring to both events, and to terrorist acts generally. I don’t get how someone can read it any other way. (I also don’t see what the importance of that specific wording is.) ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/573 "2012-10-17T03:33:00Z")
Clear winner tonight: Candy Crowley’s hairdo. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/574 "2012-10-17T03:33:17Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > What was Obama’s comment on the 47%? Ah, finally found a [complete transcript, courtesy of the _Washington Post_](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/10/16/full-transcript-of-the-second-presidential-debate/). Here are the President’s last remarks, which were also the last word of the debate: > [@](#): > > OBAMA: Barry, I think a lot of this campaign, maybe over the last four years, has been devoted to this [notion] that I think government creates jobs, that that somehow is the answer. > > That’s not what I believe. I believe that the free enterprise system is the greatest engine of prosperity the world’s ever known. > > I believe in self-reliance and individual initiative and risk takers being rewarded. But I also believe that everybody should have a fair shot and everybody should do their fair share and everybody should play by the same rules, because that’s how our economy’s grown. That’s how we built the world’s greatest middle class. > > And — and that is part of what’s at stake in this election. There’s a fundamentally different vision about how we move our country forward. > > I believe Governor Romney is a good man. Loves his family, cares about his faith. But I also believe that when he said behind closed doors that 47 percent of the country considered themselves victims who refuse personal responsibility, think about who he was talking about. > > Folks on Social Security who’ve worked all their lives. Veterans who’ve sacrificed for this country. Students who are out there trying to hopefully advance their own dreams, but also this country’s dreams. Soldiers who are overseas fighting for us right now. People who are working hard every day, paying payroll tax, gas taxes, but don’t make enough income. > > And I want to fight for them. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last four years. Because if they succeed, I believe the country succeeds. > > When my grandfather fought in World War II and he came back and he got a G.I. Bill and that allowed him to go to college, that wasn’t a handout. That was something that advanced the entire country. And I want to make sure that the next generation has those same opportunities. That’s why I’m asking for your vote and that’s why I’m asking for another four years. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/575 "2012-10-17T03:33:58Z")
CNN has it at Obama 46% to 39% Romney. That’s a win, but just barely. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/576 "2012-10-17T03:34:09Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > When will Republican politicians ever learn to take responsibility for their lives? Well, 53% of them do. ---
**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, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/577 "2012-10-17T03:34:59Z")
CNN poll of registered voters: 46% Obama, 39% Romney. 73% say Obama did better than expected, vs. 37% who say Romney did better than expected. Poll sample: 33% Democrat, 33% Republican, 34% other. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/578 "2012-10-17T03:35:47Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > For the record, what did you object to with respect to how Crowley handled the Libya exchange? To begin the debate, she clearly stated that the crowd should not clap or boo. After Obama gave his line about calling Libya a terrorist attack directly after the incident and Romney was going to call him out on it, she interjected, running to Obama’s defense (btw, he did lie as the original story was that it was a spontaneous attack spurred by the anti-Islamic video), after which the crowd starting clapping her. That actually pissed me off, quite honestly. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/579 "2012-10-17T03:36:00Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Is the whole freakin’ debate going to boil down to the Libya terrorist remark??? It was great video. It’ll be viral within the hour. The President presented Romney with a pile of dog shit on the floor and invited him to step in it, which Romney promptly did. You had to watch the whole Denver debate to understand why Obama lost it. This is a 20 second soundbite that will be on every news show for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![ecoaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@ecoaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecoaster)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/580 "2012-10-17T03:36:42Z")
Mitt’s Assault Weapon flip-flop has been so well-documented that he really should just be a man and OWN UP TO IT. Also most American don’t give a rat’s ass about the Fast and Furious scandal. Gun violence, particularly urban shootings and mass killings are a huge issue for the US of A. Anyway, Romney’s pandering is disgusting. I have never seen any politician as disingenuous and slippery as he his. I would respect the man a lot more if he just held true to his own convictions, not that that would change my vote. Idiot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847.md?page=28) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847.md?page=30)