I predict the story of the debates will be Romney's lies

[Enrique]

we are hearing about the "zingers" Mitt is preparing. I think those zingers are actually lies. Very difficult for Obama to prepare for, how can he anticipate what Mitt might make up? And Mitt has paved the way by accusing Obama of lying in debates.

Obama probably won't call out the lies at the time, too risky. It will need to be done by the media, and there is a lot of reason to believe they simply won't do it, they will just let the lies stand, no matter how blatant. I base this on the fact that in the long article on the debate prep where we heard about the "zingers", the question of truthfulness only barely came up, in passing. A sign that they are not interested in that aspect. Also, the interview where Mitt accused Obama of lying in debates, George Stephanopoulos didn't even ask him what lies he was referring to. Another bad sign.

[annabanana]

1. If he attempts to deliver "zingers" they will be

awkward, cringe inducing mis-fires. I don't believe this is the strategy. I think it's a head fake.

[polichick]

2. The President can handle it...

Those "zingers" will just make Rmoney look like a bitter high school debater.

[reformist2]

3. Will there be questions from the audience?

Those could be a huge minefield for Romney...

[Enrique]

5. the second debate is townhall style I think

but the risk is limited because the questions are screened.

[reformist2]

8. Oh boy. These debates are getting to be as scripted as the conventions. Zzzzz.

[porphyrian]

4. There are some credible criticisms of the current President's first four years.

Romney, however, has no credibility with the majority of not only Americans, but the global audience. He may as well lie his ass off, because what he says is only going to be used to further mock and ridicule him at this point.

[ann---]

6. I think President Obama

SHOULD call out Robme's lies - immediately. Otherwise, he'll appear like a wuss.

[aandegoons]

7. I agree

The republicans have lied themselves into a corner. We already know that Romney won't give any specifics on what he will do. In his effort to fire off some zingers he will need to distort the truth to do so, or risk alienating his base.

Romney has yet to deliver anything of substance. His entire campaign so far has been distortions of President Obama's record, out right lies, and flip flops. I do not see that changing in the debates.

[bluestate10]

10. Romney can pull in people with zinger lies.

President Obama needs to be careful and de-construct each Romney lie on the spot.

[monmouth]

12. Something like "Well, that would be a real zinger there Mitt, if only it were true." Smackdown..n/t

[Overseas]

18. I like that too.

[bluestate10]

9. President Obama must immediately counter every single Romney lie.

The audience for the debate is not the new media or people that are paying attention. The audience that Romney wants to distort is low information voters that can be convinced by Romney's lies. For that reason, President Obama must immediately, but courteously destroy any lie that Romney puts forward.

[1-Old-Man]

11. I agree, this is Bill Clinton's strong point, he speaks up immediately, as must be done.

President Obama needs to correct him right then and there, with rock solid fact of course, whenever Romney strays an inch from the truth - which he will do in spades. Keep in mind, nowhere in the Primaries or the electioneering that has taken place since then has Romney used a factual attack on Obama, its alway emotional and as such reliant on exaggeration.

[Enrique]

14. but how?

I think this is what both sides are working on the most, Mitt trying to come up with lies that will be hard for Obama to call out, and Obama trying to figure out how he is going to handle Mitt's lies.

Unfortunately, the media is NOT working on this obvious task. If they were, they would be talking about it already.

[glowing]

13. Pres Obama does this thing.. "wait, wait, hold on now, that's just not true...."

type of line.. He doesn't call the person a liar... he calls the statement "not true" in a nice guy sort of way, and then tells the truth. He's done it plenty of the time and in many different forums.

[HereSince1628]

15. The zingers aren't lies, they are things like this...

"I've fired more people than the number of jobs you've created"

"I know how to make a China policy that is profitable"

"I've known CEOs, and you Mr. Obama are no CEO"

"Who would you trust about knowing the tax loopholes? Me or the President?"

[nenagh]

16. Those 'zingers' are hard to refute...

I see what you mean.. Hope Pres Obama's prep committee reads your comment..

[Overseas]

19. Wow, Mitt, have you really fired four million people?

Yes, Mitt, you really helped the Chinese economy when you were at Bain, outsourcing so many jobs to China.

Well, Mitt, I have been Commander in Chief of the United States of America for a while now, and actually have known many CEO's as a Senator and as President.

As the country's chief executive, looking for ways to make our system of taxation more equitable, I have identified many loopholes we really should tighten up. You can see them delineated on the website Tax dot gov.

[jsr]

17. But the "experts" on teevee will accuse Obama of lying

because they have to be fair and balanced.

[Enrique]

20. I called it: now it's up to the media

hopefully I was wrong about this part:

It will need to be done by the media, and there is a lot of reason to believe they simply won't do it, they will just let the lies stand, no matter how blatant.