I just had an epiphany regarding why Obama did not attack Romney during the debate.

[Lint Head]

So far Romney has been his own worst enemy simple by opening his mouth. I think it was a game play to let Romney spew his crap on and on without a full bore challenge because he knew Romney would lie, and he did.

[Common Sense Party]

1. It was the Audacity of Rope-a-Dope.

Now the President knows all of Romney's weakest spots, and now he has ammunition.

[CTyankee]

6. I really don't think Obama would give up a chance at nailing Romney early for this!

I may be wrong, but I just don't think Obama would risk it...I think he had bad advice to "tone it down" and not appear too presidential...wrong advice!

[Common Sense Party]

7. Could be... But everybody loves a Comeback Kid.

[kathman-duzi]

2. Time will tell and I think you might be on to something with that thought. n/t

[elleng]

3. and PrezO respnded today,

and will continue to do so.

[mattvermont]

4. this is what I said to all my handwringing

friends today. The last thing O wants 4 weeks out is a landslide....how many people will not vote under that situation. Also, the dirty money just got pulled out from under down-ticket candidates, just as they thought they would get it. It is going back to be used ineffectively on romney ads. Then there is all the lies that O can now play every day on the trail....as he is doing today. Crazy like a fox,...and also maybe a bit distracted. Either way, it will work to our advantage.

[Lint Head]

12. I agree totally. I don't think this is false hope. Obama has proven to be too smart in the past and

I don't see a reason why that would have changed. Yep the Congressional tickets and Senate races will now be starved for money. Obama may end up with the best of both worlds. The Presidency and a majority in Congress.

[LiberalFighter]

15. Wouldn't that be something if they pull the money out of the congressional back into Rmoney?

Tell them that Obama is gaining in Texas and Alaska.

[treestar]

5. this has me wondering too, do they ever attack the other in the debates

Did Obama attack McCain at any point? I don't see these debates as actual debates or actual arguments. They just seem like speeches.

Plus it is not fair to let Rmoney control it all by saying outrageous things and then requiring his opponent to respond to them. Why should he get that control? Obama doesn't say outrageous things. It's letting the bully set the agenda.

If they are going to have these debates, they should have moderators that don't let an ass like Rmoney get away with whatever he wants to do. They should follow the debate rulebooks.

[DrewFlorida]

8. I agree, it did seem to be a strategic decision, rather than a timid performance.

[kelliekat44]

9. What is the next debate format?

I would like to see the President not only call out each lie but ask Romney to explain his sources and information in detail. Like, "Where did you get the false information that I am going to cut Medicare by 716 billion? And prove to me and the rest of the country where and how I cut Medicare benefits."

[Wounded Bear]

13. IIRC, it is the Town Hall format one....

Not Romney's strong suit, to be sure.

[Raine]

10. EXACTLY, and Obama has a batch of lies that Rmoney spewed

that are going to bite Rmoney in his fat ass.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. Add to that the easily forgotten fact that for many Americans, particularly those

'undecideds' this was their first real introduction to Mitt. If you don't follow politics, are not from MA, you probably have heard of him, but not really paid attention. ? So yeah, when you have a guy people don't like much and a room full of people who don't know him, letting him take the spotlight and make himself super eviedent to the newly interested is one way to go. People know the President. People do not care for a hard closing huckster and that's what Mitt seemed like, selling something and you're not sure what.
I think there were better ways to handle it, but I'm not sure it matters. Mitt Romeny, to meet him is to hate him. America met Mitt, firing Big Bird and talking faster than an autioneer at foreclosure sale.

[Generic Other]

18. "a hard closing huckster"

You are so right. That is exactly how I felt. Like a used car salesman had me in his sites. A mark to be bamboozled. I am not hearing people change their minds.

Liars only win in the short term. They don't let any dust collect under their heels. Always have to be one step ahead of the lies. And they always trip up.

It's gonna be a spectacular fall to watch!

[Honeycombe8]

14. No, I don't think any President would want to be seen as unprepared, weak, or distracted.

I really don't think it was some cagey plan to catch Romney. For one thing, it was a shock to everyone the blatant and huge lies that Romney spewed forth.

It's a nice thought, though, to give him the benefit of the doubt. I think he just wasn't as prepared as he should have been, whoever helped him prepare didn't do a good job, and he was just off his game. Obama's not a great debater, anyway (I say this will all affection; a person can't excel at everything). He's an okay debater, IMO. I've seen every debate he's been in since he started running for the 2008 election. He could hold his own and do a good job, but he was never great at it. But he doesn't have to be "great." Just good enough.

[upi402]

16. Hope for Rope-A-Dope

I'm with that.

Dems BETTER do some mat wiping with that stream of crap Romney spewed.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. I thought the same thing at first. Not now. To me, it was

a massive failure by Obama's team

[landolfi]

19. My 2 cents...

from earlier today on this topic.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1469612

[Lint Head]

20. Absolutely. Look up the word liar and there is a photo of Romney there.