# 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:** 33
**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, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/641 "2012-10-17T04:24:35Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > Again I ask - have I misunderstood something, or is this really just hair-splitting? Neither of your cites was helpful in explaining what precisely you’re claiming here. Just what I said. Obama lied. [Link](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oYl57y7IKyk) Keep in mind Obama kept saying that Libya was “not a terrorist attack” weeks after the whole thing went down. [Here](http://freebeacon.com/sept-25-obama-refused-to-describe-benghazi-attack-as-terrorism/) is a video from 9/25 with Obama refusing to call Libya a terrorist attack because “they were still doing an investigation” when asked whether he thought Libya was a terrorist attack as Hillary had stated. Again, Romney was right. > [@"bengangmo](#): > > IF the Benghazi thing is the most they’ve got, and acts of terror / terroism, when what was done is the most that the right wing can take out of that debate I would have to call them pretty desperate. No, it’s the one thing during the debate which really irked me, which is why I’m bringing it up. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/642 "2012-10-17T04:24:43Z")
The Straits Times (Singapore) headline - > [@](#): > > 2nd US Presidential Debate: Aggressive Obama Puts Romney on backfoot in fiery debate And we all know how “liberal” they are (actually you don’t, but suffice to say that Singapore is basically made in Romney’s image, and Straits Times is said to be the mouthpiece of the govt) ---
**Author:** ![yorick73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b5a626/32.png) [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/643 "2012-10-17T04:25:11Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > CBS Poll of undecided voters: 37% say Obama won, 30% Romney. More interesting is who won on the economy. Romney wins 65-34% from that same poll. I would assume the economy is the biggest issue for undecided voters. ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/644 "2012-10-17T04:25:35Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > I gave you two cites; one is a fact check from WaPo and the other is the moderator herself admitting Romney was right. I take it your response means you’ve got nothing, right? In about two weeks, we’ll have something…OMG, a Black President. ---
**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, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/645 "2012-10-17T04:26:24Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > That was the only time during the debate I can recall that happening. When was the other time? > > Who were they clapping for? The Easter Bunny? I think there was one other time - I heard it on a recap but don’t remember what was said that prompted it. As for the clapping - I don’t think it was Candy they were clapping for. I think it was for Obama’s ‘In your _face!_’ remark. I saw it that way at the time, and during a replay afterward. I think they were spontaneously moved to applaud the thorough pwnage Romney received. ---
**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, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/646 "2012-10-17T04:26:51Z")
:mad: Nobody ever asks a question about why the media is glossing over the fact that it’s unacceptable for America to ever again have another Republican President. I have literally NEVER seen this brought up in a SINGLE news story on the campaign. Again, :mad: ---
**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, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/647 "2012-10-17T04:28:20Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > No, I’ve got the President’s actual quote. If you and the rest of the right wing want to split hairs and call the moderator stupid and other such schoolyard insults, go right ahead. I imagine most people really don’t give a shit about this issue. And in fact, I just watched a room full of “undecideds” from Ohio say on CNN that this was Romney’s low point in the debate. > > But seriously, continue to cry about the stupid moderator. I could not care one ounce less about that because my bucket of care on this issue is bone damn dry. It’s not splitting hairs and it’s not just the “right wing” splitting hairs. Since you (allegedly) watched CNN, you should have seen that they were talking about it there. In fact, a quick glance shows that it’s being talked about everywhere _except_, for the most part, on "left-leaning"cites, for obvious reasons. I’m glad you think it’s not a big deal, probably because “your guy” is in the White House, but there’s a definite reason the Obama administration has tried to sweep this under the rug. > [@](#): > > ETA: I also find it really fucking interesting how in one minute the moderator is stupid, and the next you’re “citing” her. Which was done to show that she corrected herself after the debate. Startling, I know. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/648 "2012-10-17T04:28:31Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Candy Crowley now admits that she was wrong about Romney’s remarks on Libya. Oopsy. > > [Candy Crowley: He Was Right](http://freebeacon.com/candy-crowley-he-was-right/) Where in that link does Crowley say she was wrong? She’s reiterating what she said during the debate, not contradicting it. Specifically, Obama did say “Act of Terror” when referring to the Libya attack in the Rose Garden, but that the business of protests and that anti-Muslim video didn’t get cleared up until later. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/649 "2012-10-17T04:32:44Z")
This act of terror thing really is one of those who should I believe- you or my lying eyes kind of things. If you have a broader case to make, I suggest you not die on this particular hill. Then again, it’s your funeral. I honestly believe this is the product of right wing echo, and you guys are just stunned to encounter people who weren’t in the choir. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/650 "2012-10-17T04:32:44Z")
Google Surveys has Obama winning 49 to 31. I think it was clearly a win for Obama though numerically not as big as Romney in the first debate. It’s obviously going to help him enormously with his base which was demoralized and panicking but he made enough overtures to swing voters as well particularly women. I don’t think this is going get the race back to where it was at the start of the month but in 4/5 days I can see Obama up by a couple of points in the national polls, 2-3 points ahead in Virginia, Colorado and perhaps Florida, and 5-6 points ahead in Ohio. That would be a pretty decent position to be in moving to the final stretch. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/651 "2012-10-17T04:39:01Z")
I’ve looked over the transcript carefully, and it appears I was wrong, at no time did Obama yell “Cite?”. Shit. ---
**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, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/652 "2012-10-17T04:39:49Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > it’s the one thing during the debate which really irked me Yes, and I’m sure the Soviet-domination-of-Poland thing was the one thing that really irked Ford voters in 1976. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/653 "2012-10-17T04:42:10Z")
So, **OMG a Black Conservative** have you made up your mind yet about who you will vote for? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/654 "2012-10-17T04:50:42Z")
This debate was a systematic ass kicking by Obama. The whining and dissembling here give evidence of that. The fact that the internet is blowing up with “binders full of women!” is an encapsulation. I’d rather that people rememebered the details, honestly. But I’ll take a meme repreaented.by Patrick Swayze saying “Nobody puts baby in a binder.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Dord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@The\_Dord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Dord)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/655 "2012-10-17T04:51:43Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > So, **OMG a Black Conservative** have you made up your mind yet about who you will vote for? He’s pretty much voting for everyone putting him on the ignore list, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/656 "2012-10-17T04:55:54Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > So, **OMG a Black Conservative** have you made up your mind yet about who you will vote for? OMG and I wouldn’t agree on ice cream flavors but I’ll give it up to him.. I respect him and my neanderthal red meat cop co-workers.. we give it back and forth but I know where they stand and vice versa.. As for Mr and Ms Undecided Voter.. please take your right hand and cover your mouth and take your left hand and pinch your nose.. and then count to one thousand.. And stop calling into the Diane Rehm show.. first of all you’re usually lying and second of all you announce your undecided like it’s some badge of courage.. no.. you’re a dumbass.. As for the debate Professor BO slapped Thurston Howell around a bit.. and got he base and the topic off what looked like his disinterested first showing.. Mitt is stuck with 47… stuck with self-deportation.. stuck with the ten grand bet.. borrow twenty from your old man.. etc.. BTW.. my dad was born in Mexico.. Really Mitt.. you want to go their THEIR?? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/657 "2012-10-17T04:59:25Z")
I see what’s going on here. I thought the Republican/right-wing/Conservative talking point to hammer Obama on until election day was “jobs, jobs, jobs.” But now that the job thing isn’t actually going to be an effective talking point any more, what with unemployment going down, the hand-waving has begun to make us all believe there’s an actual controversy here with how the Obama administration has talked about the Benghazi attack, and so now the Republican/right-wing/Conservative talking point has shifted to arguing over what the definition of “of” is. I suppose if you fart loud enough into a canyon and claim it’s Shakespeare, some people standing outside the canyon will hear the echo, but they’ll still know it’s a fart. Likewise, playing gotcha ya with a president over his administration’s response to four Americans killed at a Libyan embassy may sound like pure political gold to you, but most people living outside your echo chamber will just hear warm air svviffing out of your collective asses. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/658 "2012-10-17T05:00:48Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > 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. I guess it would. After all, the “undecided” audience apparently decided that they were tired of Mitt Romney. ---
**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, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/659 "2012-10-17T05:01:31Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > So, **OMG a Black Conservative** have you made up your mind yet about who you will vote for? Romney, of course. Does that somehow lessen what I’ve posted in this thread so far? > [@JohnT](#): > > I guess it would. After all, the “undecided” audience apparently decided that they were tired of Mitt Romney. I don’t want to really get into this, but those were “undecideds” as much as I’m a liberal. Most of those questions were straight out of the liberal playbook. But all in all, that’s what I expected, so it didn’t bother me much. I did get a laugh out of the Bush question, though. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847/660 "2012-10-17T05:05:44Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Romney, of course. Does that somehow lessen what I’ve posted in this thread so far? No, no, of course not, **Omg,** nothing could lessen it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847.md?page=34)