Why Romney LOST this debate:

[BarackTheVote]

1) Tied to vouchercare
2) He repeated things that obviously embarrass his handlers (keeping aspects of Obamacare)
3) Pledged to cut funding to PBS
4) His manner was very rude and full-of-himself--he did nothing to dispel the sense that he thinks he's better than everyone else.
5) His tax-cut/loop-hole closing plan still makes no GORRAM SENSE
6) He made it clear that he believes in trickle-down economics, which is a failed system for anyone paying any attention
7) His pacing will NOT look good in soundbites

And on and on... don't get carried away by style over substance. Yes, Romney didn't say anything flat-out crazy, but he brought out plenty of rope to be hung with.

[liberalmuse]

1. It will be interesting to see the spin.

Oddly, the debates aren't as important as the spin afterwards. It will be interesting to see what sticks and what doesn't.

[iemitsu]

4. the media is vested in creating a horse race

and their bosses are pulling for romney, so we should see a lot of praise for him.
besides, americans like bullies so it won't be hard to start the spin.
the test will be if romney made chris matthews' thighs tingle.
but hopefully, in retrospect, what people see is that romney has flipped on every issue again.
he was forceful but he was lying.
ultimately people hate liars. they can't be trusted and they clearly have no respect for those to whom they lie.

[vanlassie]

2. Yep. It's all about whether votes will be gained and I can't see how.

Who is the voter who would say " Boy- now I know I should vote for ...Romney!"

[iemitsu]

3. i agree.

the only people who will think romney won this debate are scoring according to "jerry springer" rules.
he who shouts loudest and beats his chest most wins.
if obama had acted the way romney did in this "debate" we would be hearing vile jungle references about his behavior until november. but romney acts like that and he's seen as a winner.

[tulsakatz]

5. maybe not glat out crazy but...

....I almost fell out of my chair when Romney said regulations are good for businesses!!

I have never heard any republican say anything like that! I was like.......did he really say that? I just couldn't believe a republican (with their massive history of deregulations) would ever say that!

[msanthrope]

6. Vouchercare--and Ryan/Biden up next week. (smile) nt

[Cha]

7. K&R