Any debaters in the group?

[mrs_p]

I debated in High School and a tiny bit in college. Maybe I have a different perspective, but what I saw tonight wasn't a clear Romney victory as many posts are suggesting. At least, not in terms of the debate itself. Whether that matters to the larger masses is a valid point, I know. But, in terms of the debate itself, Obama stuck to the "facts" and followed the format (for the most part). That's usually how I would have won a formal debate back in the day.

[FirstLight]

1. thanks for bringing this up

I was not into debate team...but I thought it was a point system of sorts and points were awarded on each segment - based on clarity and/or argument.

Shouldn't Romney traditionally have been disqualified or 'docked time' for his outbursts and running over the Mod??

[mrs_p]

4. Yes, that would have been a big no-no

but for both the candidates - as they both went over time and spoke over the moderator at times. The telling the mod how it should be run would have lost me a debate, I'm sure. You do have to attack your opponent on what s/he says - with your own facts. I thought the President did that. You do not HAVE to get all passionate, although oration is highly persuasive.

[Vietnameravet]

2. I was in debates and in advertising for many years

Facts need to be hammered home to be effective and Obama did not do that..Romney packaged his attacks in bullet points..Obama had muddled answers and failed to bring the attack to Romney

Emotion counts for a lot...and Romney had passion and aggression..Obama seemed defensive and his looking down all the time hurt him..

Just keepin it real, bro..

[mrs_p]

6. Yes, his looking down and not at Romney

wasn't good. But Obama was full of facts. Perhaps just not in a way the average American can ingest.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

3. Yeah, but the judges are the voters

And if they are not schooled in the facts, they rely on theatrics, which is what Rmoney had tonight.

[mrs_p]

5. lots of theatrics

Time will tell if the help or hurt Romney. I can't believe anyone would be turned on by his performance, but I guess that's just me.

[Gothmog]

7. I debated a couple of years in college and judge debate during law school

I debate in high school, for two years in college and judged debate all during law school.

This was not a clear win for Romney in my opinion. I counted a dozen or so clear lies that will be easy to make into Obama campaign commercials where you show Romney's debate statement and compare this to numerous other statements.

The other thing that I noticed is that Romney is running to the center and do his etch-a-sketch trick. Romney gave up on his old tax plan, the Ryan budget and several other positions that he used to get the nomination. I am wondering if the right wing types are getting nervous in that Romney is no longer supporting their positions on a number of key issues.

[mrs_p]

8. Thanks for your perspective!

I tend to agree with you. I think there will be lots of side-by-side sound-bites from Romney saying one thing to his base and the opposite during the debates.