About the Debate on Wednesday - Remember Anything Much That Obama Said?

[MineralMan]

Here's a transcript of the entire debate:

http://www.npr.org/2012/10/03/162258551/transcript-first-obama-romney-presidential-debate

It's a good read. There, you'll see what each candidate actually said, rather than focusing on the drama surrounding the debate, which tends to bury the actual words of the debaters in a flurry of comments about their style.

In the discussions here on DU, I noticed that not much was said about the actual content of the debate. Everyone's focus was primarily on Romney's aggressive approach and Obama's seemingly passive acceptance of that. In reality, Obama said a lot of stuff during the debate. I heard it all, but got caught up here on DU in how the debate went, and pretty much forgot what was said during it.

It's worth reviewing. It might change some people's minds about how President Obama actually did in the debate.

Anyhow, the link above will take you to the transcript, if you're interested.

[spanone]

1. important, thanks!

[Jackpine Radical]

2. But debates are theatre.

It's the show, not the script, that carries the weight.

[MineralMan]

4. Not for thoughtful people, it isn't.

Yes, the show is there, but after the show, looking at what was said can really make up for lapses of attention, forgetfulness as topics change, etc. It's great that the transcripts are so easy to find now, but I remember them being printed in the newspaper the day after earlier debates. I read them. I still read them.

I think we have a choice here. We can go for the theatrics or find out what the ideas are and what is actually said. I find the second choice to give me more information I can actually use. Thursday's discussions here on DU were all about the theatrics. I just wonder if it might be worthwhile for those who have concerns to go read what was actually said. What I found was that Obama actually did refute a lot of what Romney said, right there during the debate. We just can't remember what he said, and got all caught up in the theater.

The words remain, and it doesn't take nearly as long to read them as to listen to the debates. It's worth doing. Truly it is.

[Spider Jerusalem]

10. Most people aren't thoughtful people.

Most people are monkeys with oversized brains and that's the level they respond on.

[MineralMan]

12. I'm not quite as pessimistic.

However you are right in many ways. However, in a place like DU, I'd like to think that most people here are thoughtful people. That's why I posted a link to the transcript. I figure they'll want to refresh their memories of what was said. I want to believe that substance is more important to DUers than theatrics.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Without reading it

I distinctly remember President Obama saying, "now it's never mind" - But - then again I'm one of the rare few that think it was a draw - Mitt Romney lost all 'points' for being a lying liar who told lies and then even lied about his lies.

So his words were negated and President Obama was just trying to respond to someone who campaigned on one platform for 18 months - then came in on Wednesday and pretended that Obama had run on the Romney Platform and he never said ANYTHING for the past 18 months - that he actually said.

[MineralMan]

7. Go read the whole thing. It took 90 minutes, and

I doubt that any of us remembers everything said in those 90 minutes. That's my suggestion. That's what I did. I was surprised at what I had forgotten.

[msongs]

5. he and romney have similar views on social security nt

[MineralMan]

9. Not as similar as you might think. But, you have to read the details.

You're just remembering the first few words of his response to Romney. Read the rest again.

[tokenlib]

25. The "details" are not reassuring to those who can't afford to be "tweaked" now or in 20 years..

And Mr Axelrod's comments that now is not the time to give details on Social Security... leave one with little reassurance ..

Yup, that ONE quote stuck like a thorn in the side---but then again I suppose it depends to what degree your life in retirement will be "tweaked" as to whether or not you give a damn about the issue. Or simply assume austerity is coming down the road no matter who gets elected and we might as well "take ownership" of it.

[NCTraveler]

22. I have a hard time getting that line out of my mind.

It should have never crossed his lips. It shouldn't cross the lips of any democrat.

[liberal N proud]

6. The biggest point about Wednesday night is that Romney was aggressive

For those who supported Romney spun the aggression as a win.

The rest of America saw his aggression more bully like.

[MineralMan]

14. There's still much to learn from the transcript.

It's worth reading. Really, it is.

[tularetom]

8. Obama did fine if you listen to what he said rather than the way he said it

And really the way he said it would have been OK if Romney had not acted like a hamster on speed. So many of us (myself included I'm ashamed to say) confused style with substance when assessing the President's performance.

The liberal media were particularly guilty of this bogus comparison. Chris Matthews was screeching in near hysteria a whole day after the actual debate and lots of other pundits were in full cliche mode ("game changer", the President "left his A game at home&quot .

Nobody remembered the wall to wall wave of lies that Romney laid out nor did they consider what a target he had provided the Democrats by doing so.

Obama did seem off his game (sorry about that) but he appeared to have regained his momentum yesterday with a flurry of flip flop stories about his challenger. IMO he won't get caught off guard again like he did the other night.

But he still had the facts on his side.

[MineralMan]

20. I agree, but nobody can remember everything that was said.

That's why transcripts are so important. We can read them at our leisure and get everything out of them that is there. You can still read transcripts of debates from previous elections, if you want. They're historical documents, and they're all online. History is a written thing, and can be relived through the documents created at the time.

Of course, I'm a reader of things. Not everyone enjoys reading as much as I do.

[theoldman]

11. Big Bird

I will never forget Romney attacking Big Bird. That was his biggest mistake of the evening.

[MineralMan]

13. What else do you remmber that President Obama said?

That's the question. We all remember sound bites. Much more was said, and it's all available to read.

[surrealAmerican]

15. k & r

... always good to see it in writing ...

[MineralMan]

16. Thanks!

[sharkman25]

17. I thought it interesting that the moderator asked Romney...

if he would like to ask Obama a question (this was only a few minutes into the debate) and instead of asking Obama a question Romney began to go down a list of talking points, YET I don't recall the moderator ever asking Obama if he would like to ask Romney a question.

I like the idea of candidates being able to talk directly to each other sometimes without the moderator.

[MineralMan]

18. Yeah, I thought that was interesting too, but I wasn't surprised.

Romney and even Obama, to a lesser extent, came into the debate with rehearsed lines to say. Romney didn't ask a question, because he had a speech to give. In reality, debate moderators rarely get much attention paid to them by the debaters, who just say what they've rehearsed.

[marlakay]

19. Really goes to show how much of speech is not just in the words said

its in the tone and in body language. Obama's body language spoke loud and clear that night, he looked tired, he looked down…when he first did it I thought oh he is just writing down something he doesn't want to forget to say, but when he kept doing it while Romney managed to look at him full on while he talked I thought doesn't look good!

When he did look at him he had funny look on his face. I have heard he really hates the guy and Obama is normally not like this, that he normally is more open to his enemies but with Mitt he has a active dislike and it shows. I am like that so I get it, can't hide my emotions or what I am thinking.

[julian09]

21. I watched the replay of the debate the night of debate, it was good to listen to Obama

making his points even if he didn't challenge Rmoney more or be more defensive. He did say what he wanted to do and diffences with the Romney that didn't show up. There are a lot facts and he is consistant. Next time in my book he has to point out that the obstruction is responsible for the lack of more progress that minority rule isn't democracy. Frustrating the will of the majority with endless filibusters. Repugs voting against their own ideas, just not to give Obama a victory. There are a lot of people out there who lost their jobs, insurance, homes, savings; it's time to tell them why, just to have a lousy economy and defeating Obama.
No more Mr nice guy "O" put the blame where it belongs. Are the repugs making resevations for their next defeat "O" party when he has his next inaugaration Jan/20/13 like the Jan/20/09 inaugaration?



Thanks will bookmark

[MineralMan]

24. Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

And thanks for giving the actual words of the debate your thought. Being President is a serious business, and I'd like a serious person doing the job. Barack Obama is a serious person.

[Enrique]

23. i remember Obama saying lower corporate taxes to 25%

he has been saying lower those taxes for a long time, but this is the first time I heard him say 25%, I remember it being Romney wanted 25% and Obama wanted 28%.

[mzmolly]

26. Unlike many, I never considered lying with a smile

and made up math, winning. But I thank you for the transcript.