Ghost of George Bush haunted Mitt Romney in final debate -- A victory for Barack Obama by default as Romney lies low
By: Niall O'Dowd | Published Tuesday, October 23, 2012, 10:00 AM | Updated Tuesday, October 23, 2012, 10:00 AM
Mitt Romney and Barack Obama during their final presidential campaign debate
There was a third candidate in the arena with Mitt Romney and Barack Obama last night as the ghost of George Bush hovered over the proceedings.
It was a night that was a clear victory for Obama. CBS had it 53 to 23 percent in their poll of undecided voters while CNN had it 48 to 40 percent in their poll of registered voters.
A battleground poll in the key swing states had voters there giving Obama 52 to 42 percent.
Overall Obama did himself some good and Romney certainly did not advance but it is debatable how much ground he lost.
Bush, like Banquo’s ghost in Macbeth, unsettled Romney enough that he never seemed to have Obama’s measure. He was strangely passive and defensive.
Obama had tried unsuccessfully to link Romney to Bush policies in the domestic debates but had failed—however. the shadows of Iraq and Afghanistan loomed too large for Romney to escape.
As a result Mitt Romney came to play defense in the final debate but lost to a much more energized and feisty Barack Obama.
It was a strange performance by Romney who may have decided that he needed to look presidential and not a hothead when it came to international affairs.
What was clear was that Republicans still live in the shadow of George Bush and his failed presidency, especially on foreign affairs.
Romney knew he had to guard against reawakening echoes of the Bush era, now viewed as cowboy diplomacy at its worst.
In the process however, he was silent on Obama’s foreign policy.
The Benghazi incident that most debate watchers had predicted would be the biggest issue was hardly raised.
Obama mentioned Israel 43 times, a clear indication that he was safeguarding his nearly 4-1 lead among Jewish voters.
Romney mentioned how many times he agreed with Obama and seemed to punt every time he had the chance to go for it.
A puzzling debate that will have tongues wagging as to its ultimate impact for some days yet.
Since the President finally came out with an economic plan for the next four years and it's the same as the previous four years we are in for more poverty, people on food stamps, high cost for food, gas and clothing and lower GDP growth. Romney isn't great but he is a much better prospect than a President who makes more poor people so he and the liberals can gain power and votes. It is sad to see the President is once again running against former President Bush. He should get his head out of the sand and run against his true opponent. We can't afford continued spending of 24% of GDP and higher. President Clinton's spending of little more than 19% is what we need.
jamthecat | Oct 24, 2012, 07:34 PM EDT
Southside, I live in the real world; what plane of surreality do you live on? As for my head supposedly being in my rear-end -- I notice you did not refute one single solitary thing I said. Of course. You couldn't, because you know it's true, so your only recourse was to cry, "Well, Obama's not a nice guy" and hurl names, like an eleven year-old child. Typical Republican behavior.
71regiment | Oct 24, 2012, 02:16 PM EDT
O'Dowd writes the liberal version of how debate #3 went. Common sense says Obama was like a gadfly in it. His worst response to Romney's statement about the decrease of our sea power, saying like he was talking to some youngster, in that we now have aircraft carriers that planes can land on, and "ships" that go under water (in the US Navy they are commonly referred to as boats), and that we have fewer horses and bayonets now.
Obama should tell it to the Marines and Army soldiers, they still use bayonnets, and our Special Forces back in 2001 in Afghanistan used horses against the Taliban and in conjunction with the "Northern Allinace" beat them. SF still retain horse for training in rough terrain and out west horses are used to help wouneded soldiers to get better and of oourse the famous Cassion Platoon carrying our honored dead to thier gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery use horses. But Obama with little or no experience in these matters perhaps does not know the above. Most of all he seems to lack knowledge of sea power and its role in history.
71regiment | Oct 24, 2012, 01:53 PM EDT
@readabook, read the Constitution, no establishment of a state religion.
BigDaddy | Oct 24, 2012, 01:37 PM EDT
Anne, what names are you referring to exactly? Don't you think anyone can see through the fact that you respond to a generic observation as if I had mentioned you by name? Please Anne, just cash the check and let's get this thing over with already. The majority of people in America do not want Willard. Neither do the majority want Obama. But if given a choice between the two, they would choose Obama because Willard is just like cotton candy. All fluff and no substance. But he will be president because the Kochs didn't spend over half a billion to let him lose.
cherykie | Oct 24, 2012, 11:40 AM EDT
Someone very wise said, Don't listen to what one says, know them by what they do.
Democrats, Republicans, Teapartiers- these are just names. We need to shed our affiliation and LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. The current occupant of the white house has mangled and decimated the very structure of this country's foundation. He has made up his own rules, and the bill of rights and the constitution be damned! He has made several slips -visiting 57 states with 2 more to go, approval ratings very high in the " country of my birth", my muslim faith,etc. so his eligibility is highly suspect. He has circumvented procedure to write excessive executive orders to implement the attempt to become a dictatorial leader with absolute powers. with all the inferior presidents the US has endured, this is by far the most detrimental. We will never have a perfect government until the return of the Messiah, but for Americans, we need to strive to do better than the last 4 years.
southside77 | Oct 24, 2012, 11:16 AM EDT
jamthecat, please remove your head from your rear end. Obama,is nothing more than a career politician. Literally the last non political job he had was working at 31 flavors. Since then he has been living off the taxpayers.
The worst of all not only is he a career politician he is the lowest form of a career, an Illinois career politician.Since I have been on this earth an unprecedented 4 Illinois governors have been put in jail.
The last being Rod Blagojovich and who was the President of the Committee to reelect Blagojevich the last time he ran for office,non other than the career politician Obama.
Barrack sat by for years as he sat in the Illinois State Senate and said nothing about the daily thieving that goes on in Illinois by the career politicians, lest they turn on him.So he put his own self interest before the well being of the people of Illinois, which at the very least makes him a first class coward.
It is time for him to go.
jamthecat | Oct 23, 2012, 11:35 PM EDT
Romney already damaged himself with his ludicrous claim that Obama didn't even mention terrorism after the assault in Benghazi, and his hysterically bumbling trip to insult our allies, last Spring; it looks like someone finally got him to just shut up. That's the only smart thing he's done, so far. The rest of his campaign has been sheer stupidity. That Obama isn't winning this by a landslide against such a fool is his own fault, no one else's.
johnshiel | Oct 23, 2012, 08:03 PM EDT
hey, twoeagles: I have not seen your posts before; your "handle" is cool, and your post is cogent and substantive. weldone and welcome!
johnshiel | Oct 23, 2012, 07:35 PM EDT
I noticed that Romney smiled whenever he was not speaking... it was the kind of smile a person does when they know something...
irishpjk | Oct 23, 2012, 06:56 PM EDT
9-11 #2 Four people dead in Benhgazi, and the goast of Jimmy Carter will get Obama out on 11/6
readabook | Oct 23, 2012, 05:47 PM EDT
Anne Chambers
"Cognitive Dissonance", Teabagger types, what kind of a person are you? I ask that my religious belief be honored, please do not attack me because I believe in the power of a pilgrimage made to Our Lady of Knock"
I'm the kind of person who believes that religion is a Personal and Private Matter and to quote VP Biden who I'm sure is at least as good Catholic as you are (despite what the boorish Senator Fitzgerald preaches) but "doesn't believe in imposing his beliefs on others. in other words "Separation of Church and State" per the Constitution. I respect all religious beliefs just not the manipulation and abuse of it through the Sanctimonious among us who claim to have a "Direct Line To God" Thank you for the unsolicited Education on Our Lady of Knock. Good Luck with Your Prayers but she sounds like the type of inclusive,compassionate and non judgemental individual who would probably vote Democratic. :)
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 05:28 PM EDT
Good Irish proverb says it all....
"Any forest can be fired by its own kindling"
So, Mr. BigDaddy, do not call names, say a prayer and let the people be heard.
allentown | Oct 23, 2012, 05:22 PM EDT
Romney's strategy worked. Make President Obama attack. Women dislike confrontation and aggressiveness. Romney is already increasing his likeability among women voters.
BigDaddy | Oct 23, 2012, 05:10 PM EDT
Hey Niall! If you are interested, I can do a better job than Ed from Cali; I'm sure of that. I notice that he too believes that Willard looked presidential. I guess we can't fault him for just laying the groundwork for another wondrous victory for America when Willard is given the job in two weeks. He probably got a family to feed.
BigDaddy | Oct 23, 2012, 05:06 PM EDT
I would prefer to think that the RNC pays people to post here than to think there are this many stupid people in America. Mr. O'Dowd has always struck me as being someone who knows on which side his bread is buttered. That would mean he only tells the truth about Republicans when it is obviously true. But the neocon sympathizers here cannot allow anyone to tell the truth no matter how obvious it is. Stories about voter registration crimes are out there but unreported by the "liberal media." Stories about who owns the voting machines that will tabulate the votes in two weeks are also out there but we read about who won the debate. Americans had better get used to being slaves because when Willard is given this election that is all you will be. Do you GOP sycophants truly think they give a damn about you? If you were smarter, I would tell you to brush up on your Leo Strauss. I can't pay you but it would be the patriotic thing to do.
cillowen | Oct 23, 2012, 04:49 PM EDT
an empty suited parroting what Obama has done.
Like Lurch of that Munsters tele show some choice - what were repuggers thinking.
Scrivner | Oct 23, 2012, 04:45 PM EDT
Romney acted more presidential than Obama, critisim of foreign affairs is a more dangerous game than critisism of domestic policy--therefore Mitt won respect. As to Obama's snarky remarks about the U.S.Navy now having aircraft carriers and submarines unlike 1914, got news for you: Naval aviation just observed it's 100th anniversary (a heavy cruiser was converted with a plank flight deck for biplanes to take off and land) and Mr Holland had already delivered an operational submirsible some years before. Mr Obama spent too much time in Hyde Park talking only with fantasy theoreticians like Bernadorn and her hubby Tom.
michaelidaho | Oct 23, 2012, 04:20 PM EDT
eiriamach,
Wow, you actually believe, like Obama, that more clean energy, more math and science teachers and more financial regulation is going to cause the American economy to rebound. You do what Obama does best - critize the opponent's plan without offering anything of substance.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 03:51 PM EDT
When you are standing in a hole, do not keep digging. Obama will not win, time to try a new crop.
olovely | Oct 23, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT
Obama is going to win re-election. Take it to the bank.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 03:42 PM EDT
"Cognitive Dissonance", Teabagger types, what kind of a person are you? I ask that my religious belief be honored, please do not attack me because I believe in the power of a pilgrimage made to Our Lady of Knock. I used the term "pull the wool over our eyes, when perhaps I should have said, bring our nation and our world back to their values which come down by placing God at the top of our list, bring back and save the innocent babies being murdered, the families suffering because of the current economic state, etc.
For those that do not remember about the Apparition of Our Lady of Knock: Some months before the Apparition, Archdeacon Cavanagh made known to his parishioners his plan to say one hundred masses for the souls in purgatory which our Blessed Mother wished released. These masses were completed shortly before the Apparition.
readabook | Oct 23, 2012, 03:17 PM EDT
I cannot believe the "Cognitive Dissonance" of you Teabagger types. It's enough to turn my Centrist hide into a lefty liberal. Obama lost the first debate and Democrats admitted it. Today's Repubs with your Teabagger bosses remind me of a Boxer who gets counted his arms in victory.
Romney discussed Foreign Policy after being relentlessly drilled by his advisors and his wooden responses reflected it.
Obama,gave him a lesson in Foreign Affairs.
You keep praising Ronald Reagan but you don't represent anything that he stood for and I'm sure that he,Kemp,Ford,etal are turning over in their graves based on what's happened to their party.
You selfish neocons don't get it! Obama is a Centrist and his ideology is closer to Reagans (as was Clinton's) then yours will ever be. Be brave though, Donald Trump has declared that tomorrow he will have some "unbelievable news" about Obama
that will all but 'seal the' election for Romney! Can't Wait ! (Can You!)
PS to Anne Chambers
"Our Lady of Knock has heard my prayers"
I Don't think she gets involved in "Teabagger politics".
KatieMurphy | Oct 23, 2012, 03:02 PM EDT
Romney flat out lied by omision - still a sin - In one of the debates he said that GM went bankrupt despite the govt help............What Gm did was go into re-organizition bankruptcy. It saved the company and 200,000 people have jobs there now, many others in suppliers to GM
The Republicans wanted to let GM go totally bust - so that people like bain or others would have another shot to sell off GMs assets for a profit...........Most likely buyer for thed plants / machinery - Red China - our economic and military competitor in the world.........BTW Romney is a bishop in his Mormon church. HE should be totally ashamed of what he did with his misleading statements. But his pride triumphs honesty ..................................................................................BTW Obamacare is almost identical and was modeled on Romney care in MA. His party's platform shows they would sell out their own values for votes. ..........Obamacare is about protecting life.
Canal Rat | Oct 23, 2012, 02:51 PM EDT
Obama told "an untruth" about Romney and the auto industry. I just checked the Op Ed piece he wrote. In the op-ed, Romney said he thought the government should play a role in handling a managed bankruptcy. “The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing,” Romney wrote in the op-ed. “A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.”
Which is exactly what Romney said last night.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 02:30 PM EDT
Obama, is chomh brean le pluais an mhadarua.
Nicomax | Oct 23, 2012, 02:17 PM EDT
The Mitt looked just like the former investment guy is was, who stepped into politics as something else to do once he was swimming in coins, but was not familiar with some of the key issues impacting a president other than cutting taxes and regulations. He could be a more of an empty vessel than Bush was, and thus subject to even more dangerous neocon follies.
mok1030 | Oct 23, 2012, 02:15 PM EDT
mitti is a successful business man per his claims. he knows how balance the budget per his claim... why then is his campaign 11million and change american dollars in the red. doesnt seem very balanced to me. also excessive blinking is a nervous liers tell. much like excessive water drinking ryan.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 02:10 PM EDT
Nial, No one can deny the Great Famine in Ireland, it was one of the most tragic and defining moments of Irish history. There will be another one of those moments affecting not only the US, Ireland, but the entire world if Obama is elected to serve another term as President.
The liberals watch CNN, the conservatives watch FOX, and the “one nation under God” intelligent voters keep abreast of the economy, terrorist, debt, killing of unborn children, the murder of thousands all over the world, and the elected officials who allow all of the above.
Searlit | Oct 23, 2012, 02:05 PM EDT
I was thinking the same thing - that Mitt Romney acted defensive.
The way he explained his stance on Foreign Affairs such as Iran's capacity for nuclear arms and Syria's importance, geographically to Iran, sounded like gobbledygook.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 01:42 PM EDT
Nial, your attempt to spin the debate does not reflect profession journalism. I am a female Irish Catholic who lives in America and goes home to my family in Mayo on a now regular basis. Obama is wrong for America, Ireland, and the world. He is clearly not the "Messiah", spend some time looking into issues that were in this debate, Obama clearly lied, and Obama will continue to destroy the economy not just in the US, but in the world. Our Lady of Knock has heard my prayers, Obama and his cohorts will not pull the wool over our eyes, again.
Los Leandros | Oct 23, 2012, 01:36 PM EDT
I thought the debate was reasonably even & civilised/mature. In stark contrast to the vice-Presidential fiasco. President Obama's major achilles heel in this election has been Joe Biden. He should'nt be let out alone. He just irritates people.
hollabackgurl | Oct 23, 2012, 01:34 PM EDT
I wouldn't say Obama won by default, he won by being the better candidate, by far. He sank Romney's battleship.
pndirishandprou | Oct 23, 2012, 01:33 PM EDT
Oldwildrover: quite delusional assessment of the debate. Obama arrogant? Really? He exposed Romney for what he is: a flip-flopper on pretty much every topic and, of course, as a foreign and defense policy neophyte who has a thing or two learn.
Keep drinking your Republican Koolaid and get ready to watch Obama being declared the winner with 285 electoral votes at around 11pm on November 6.
Oldwildrover | Oct 23, 2012, 01:20 PM EDT
Mitt was cool, calm and collective. He just watched Obama being his usual arrogant and condescending self. Yes, bayonets and horses are still used today in Afghanistan, ask any US Marine. Both were used also in the mountains of Iraq, not necessarily by US forces but by the
terrorists. Way to go Mitt....I can't wait to vote.
MegK311 | Oct 23, 2012, 01:10 PM EDT
Nial, I wish you would try to be a more professional journalist and stop writing your biased reports.
I don't think we were both watching the same debate. Obama did not say anything to convince me to vote for him. The thought of 4 more years of the Obama administration gives me the holy horrors. I think that history will show that George Bush was a good President. He was not perfect but I always felt safe when he was in charge.
BurrRobson | Oct 23, 2012, 01:08 PM EDT
Is this article a joke? Could never tell it was written by a liberal. The fact is that Obama LIED AGAIN when he said Romney wanted to let GM and others die. What the h*** kind of government do we have when it's run by a confirmed liar. What Romney wanted was the car companies to have managed bankruptcies backed by the government. This was written by the NY Times at the time. And also, contrary to our lying mouth President, George Bush bailed out the car companies. I feel as if liberals live in some sort of parallel universe. But hey, if that to liberals is a win, so be it. What a shameful thing for our country though.
tom/peggy | Oct 23, 2012, 01:06 PM EDT
CBS Focus Group in Ohio goes for ???????? Romney
Bill Doherty | Oct 23, 2012, 01:00 PM EDT
I do not know how many of you have served in the Armed Forces of the U.S. but,when the NCO ranks are behind a candidate its very telling on foreign affairs on many fronts. Read the Military times poll dated in early Oct Romney hands down in all critical area's,we may not like to say it but this stick is our #1. tool for dealing with challenges around the world.
Smyrnian | Oct 23, 2012, 12:58 PM EDT
Just more IC cheerleading for BHO. Romney did quite well and BHO looked angry and un-Presidential. The IC slobbering love affair with the Obama's (and anything left) continues.
RedBranch | Oct 23, 2012, 12:36 PM EDT
'...George Bush and his failed presidency.' Always seemed to me he was the President who made the IRA disarm on his watch and that was good for Ireland.
miltonedunn | Oct 23, 2012, 12:17 PM EDT
What is it with you sick puppies and obumr
patrickesq | Oct 23, 2012, 12:07 PM EDT
Niall, I think your take on the debate is objective and honest(you did not make up the CBS poll results). Too many o your readers on the right seem to let their expectations and desires alter their perception of reality!
feeneycj | Oct 23, 2012, 11:56 AM EDT
Look, they agreed on many things as far as foreign policy and that's a good thing. On some things, Romney stated the weaknesses in Obama's policy. Benghazi does not have to be discussed anymore, we know Obama's administration screwed up. Obama sounded like a school teacher trying to pompously pound his own facts, and did not look presidential doing so. Obama was over the top with belittling about horses and bayonets and naive in stating what aircraft carriers/subs we have. By the way, both horses and bayonets have been used in Afghanistan. It's a rough country. To assume that a bulky carrier can do what nimble ships can do is naive. Obama showed his lack of knowledge and lack of strength. Romney did not lay all his cards out on the bargaining table whereas Obama naively has and does. Also, Romney exudes strength in voice and stance; Obama exudes weakness. Given Romney has had 3 liberal media moderators for 3 debates, the deck was stacked against him, and yet he won anyway. I look forward to President Romney taking office next year.
bunkerisland | Oct 23, 2012, 11:54 AM EDT
Essentially Romney appeared sad, dejected yet endorsed most of Barack's foreign affair related actions. Of course Barack was not strong enough, quick enough or thorough enough for the Republican. We know Romney is a real take charge man. Just talk with all those in the mid-west that were put on the street when the Mitten slashed employees then sold the various companies walking away with absurd "consulting fees". One hell of a guy this fellow with money hiding in accounts all over the world. If only I had an elevator for my 6 autos. It is real hell walking to the garage.
jerrydonovan | Oct 23, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT
For all you poor liberals did you not realize it, governor Romney has a very cunning foreign policy.All it involves is shipping American jobs overseas.all the countries have to do to get the jobs is to promise to be our friend.We will let the other countries worry about regulating the companies this way we can claim that there is less government.Of course the companies that move overseas will not have to pay taxes on an profits that they send back to the U.S.A.As for the workers who are unemployed as part of the deal in shipping the jobs overseas the countries will have to offer our unemployed workers WORK VISAS.This also will deal with the immigration problem.So with his foreign policy Romney will have taken care of his wealthy supporters,got rid of the unemployed,reduced the need for a strong military{everyone will be our friend}solved the immigration problem,reduced the need for government regulation{nothing left to regulate}but......that's enough for his first day in office.
Danny | Oct 23, 2012, 11:35 AM EDT
Hey Niall, did you watch the same debate that i did? The "fact checkers" proved that Obama lied. I guess that the fact that Obama has some Irish blood in him, makes you one of his fanboys. You have the right to print whatever you want, even if it's garbage!!!
DrMcHugh | Oct 23, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT
Without any doubt, President Obama won the debate last night on foreign policy. I watched on C-span, CNN, & Fox News. It was interesting how Fox News did not show a split screen where both candidates could be seen at the same time. It was sad to see the lack of ideas from Romney, who just copied the words of Obama, as if they were his own. Obama is an excellent leader. Last night proved to me that Romney is just a follower.
PiperMac52 | Oct 23, 2012, 11:08 AM EDT
Again you bias shows. I and many other do not see it that way. In Fact Obama was arrogant, condescending and interpreted Romney on several occasions. That does not make him right. In fact many of his facts were NOT facts but the usual Obama exaggerations. Romney was cool and even tempered and did not interrupt but made his points succinctly. You can spin it any way you want but we'll see election day.
antoman | Oct 23, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT
Play the ball lads. Not the man.
MaxTiger | Oct 23, 2012, 11:02 AM EDT
I'm sorry but this article fails in not mentioning Bush enough. I mean Bush just sat there when Messiah talked about Bush, Bush was still sitting there being Bush. Why didn't Bush defend Bush more? Why didn't Bush attack Messiah more like Bush usually does? It's time for Bush to stop apologising for being Bush and accept that Bush won't get a third term unless Bush shows voters how much different he is to Messiah. Also, did I mention that America is screwed if Bush goes back to an army equipped with nothing but horses and Bushes?
mccannon | Oct 23, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT
Romney won the debate by acting professional and Presidential. Obama acted like a child who had his toys taking away and was sulking to his parents. He is going to lose and I can't wait to visit this site to see all you Liberals eat your words in November when Romney wins. Why don't you look at the facts for your articles and print Obama's record? He is a dismal failure and will go down as one of America's worst Presidents!
CelticQueenUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT
What I saw in this debate was devious manipulation by Romney to speak on whatever HE wanted. This was supposed to be about foreign policy but ended up on economics as per Romney;s manipulation of the situation. He is the shadiest character I have ever seen and I do not want this charlatan as President.
tom77381 | Oct 23, 2012, 10:55 AM EDT
WATCHED THE FINAL DEBATE LAST NIIGHT AND I HOPE THAT THE SECURITY PEOPLE AT THE WHITE HOUSE GUARD THE SILVERWARE AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS NOT TIED DOWN BECAUSE ON JANUARY 20 THERE WILL BE A NEW TENANT LIVING THERE.
Skibberrean | Oct 23, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT
DITTO EAMONNDUBLIN......ROMNEY WON THE DEBATE HANDS DOWN. HE LOOKED,ACTED AND SPOKE IN A PRESIDENTIAL MANNER AND HAD HIS FACTS CORRECT. BARRY WAS AGAIN LOST WITHOUT HIS TELEPROMPTER, TALKING ABOUT MIDDLE EASTERN WOMENS RIGHTS AND LOOKING AT THE MODERATOR FOR HELP....AGAIN LIKE THE CHILD THAT HE IS! O'DOWD YOU ARE SO FAR FROM A JOURNALIST, MAYBE BECAUSE YOU ARE SO FAR LEFT YOU HAVE LOST YOUR SENSE OF REASON!
1661996usmc | Oct 23, 2012, 10:46 AM EDT
Is there a relationship between the Bush's and the Romney's? They seem to follow the same rule, "Get from the middle class and give to the rich. War is a way to enrich the Rich and increase in defense spending does the same.
Edward McDonald | Oct 23, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
SPOT ON mlpowner! Romney consciously avoided the predicted pitfalls. His goal...which he achieved...was to keep the memory of Obama's horrendous 1st debate performance fresh. It was a clear picture of Obama's utter cluelessness.
FastEddy | Oct 23, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
Ghost? Is Bush dead? ... That's news! ... No matter how you try to spin this debate or any other, Oh Bummer is going down in flames ... Say hello to President Romney.
blackstone | Oct 23, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
Romney won the debate hands down.
What's so ironic is the best part of any of Obama's foreign policy for his past four years has been a result of the continuation of policies implemented by the Bush administration. Romney scored the ultimate knockout with the simple truth that a 16 trillion deficit is our largest security risk and clearly Obama has proven that his policies are an economic failure.I trust that President Romney will represent the U.S. internationally in a stronger, more consistent way. All you need to know is Chavez, Castro and Putin all support the reelection of Obama.....big red flag, literally!! No thank you. Let freedom ring, Obama has been a complete disaster, no amount of spin can change that reality.
MikeRock | Oct 23, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT
How do I unsubscribe to this website? You can only take so much bias.
mlpowner | Oct 23, 2012, 10:38 AM EDT
Funny thing about these debates, those of us who intently watch politics always look for the red meat. But, in reality the debates are a forum to attack those few percentage of people in the middle, non-alligned voters. To that end, Romney certainly looked as capable, and kept bringing debate back to the economy. This debate did not give Obama the knock out he needed, it will not change the momentum of the race. In that regard, Romney won.
eiriamach | Oct 23, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT
It's not only math and science teachers and clean energy projects that Obama knows will strengthen our economy, and with it, the global economies that depend on US economic health. It's also rational limits on the power of financiers to place our financial health at risk of even worse disasters than the now-waning Great Recession (the dreaded-by-GOP "regulations"). Romney's economic policy, like his "foreign policy," is the same-old, same-old George W. approach. Example: "We can be a partner with China ... if they will be responsible." Translation: If the Chinese will let American businesses exploit Chinese workers and factories, then we can profit by them. Obama will work to repeal the tax breaks that US businesses gain from outsourcing and creating low-salary jobs overseas. He will strengthen the training and bargaining power of American workers. And he will fairly tax fairly all corporate profits, including profits made by exploiting cheap labor "off shore." There should not be better tax benefits in exploiting foreign labor markets than in paying American workers fair wages.
Towngate | Oct 23, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT
I am shocked that so many comments are so rude to Niall O'Dowd. Do they not realise he is Founder/Editor/Owner of this august organ! Show him some respect, and leave him to write whatever one-sided gobbeldy-gook he wants!
stanchaz | Oct 23, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT
The choice is clear:
Move forward with Obama-
or fall backwards to the
failed Republican policies of the Bush years.
bobduggins | Oct 23, 2012, 10:24 AM EDT
What the writer and Obama fail to tell is the fact that George Bush had a Democratic congree and Obama had a majority for his first two years. A fifth grader should be able to tell who did what but the people that are in love with Obama do not see this. Four wasted years of a Presidency. Temember in 2012 anybody but Obama.
mikehoulihan | Oct 23, 2012, 10:20 AM EDT
O'Dowd you are an idiot. You couldn't find your ass with a map.
mikehoulihan | Oct 23, 2012, 10:12 AM EDT
may I concur with the comments about the supposed Mr Romney loss in this debate. He may have held back after #1 and #2 and his poll rise, but he sure did not sink to the stupid comment about horses and bayonets as Mr O did. I also switched parties, and will continue to vote GOP at the national level until all the Demos.' anti-Natural law and making up constitutional principles and laws as they do. I objected to Mr Bush and his war mongering and re-defining human rights over the war also. My simple suggestion for the debates is decide on key questions, get graphs on the economic plan and pay down the debt, and actual previous positions ready, show if they are current THEN debate rather than you said I did not for too much time. AP O' B Donegal, still voting as US citizen.
judiron | Oct 23, 2012, 10:00 AM EDT
just saw the article from Freemon, send him to France with Halle Berry, they desire each other.
EamonnDublin | Oct 23, 2012, 09:56 AM EDT
There is no point arguing/discussing with somebody as dyed-in-the-blue as Niall O'Dowd. Trotting out the same old stuff. Did you even bother to watch the debate, Niall? It appears to me that you have your utter ess aitch one tee eee input and ready to send even before the debates begin. As I say, no point arguing with you - we just have to wait two more weeks and then it's Bye Bye Barack. Éamonn, Dublin.
BBinRIC | Oct 23, 2012, 09:53 AM EDT
You have got to wonder sometimes what planet this O'Dowd character is living on. He obviously wasnt actually watching last nite's debate.
michaelidaho | Oct 23, 2012, 09:50 AM EDT
Let's face it this debate did not do anything for either candidate. While Obama many have won the debate, Romney also won by looking presidential and holding his own against the purported genius of the political left. The funniest moment for me was when I warned my wife that somehow Obama would interject education and clean energy into the debate. Somehow, he managed to do so, even though the debate was focused on foreign policy. The fact of the matter is that the American people are most concerned about the economy. Although I voted for Obama in 2008, I really do not see how adding 100,000 math and science teachers (without any discussion of reforms) and funding clean energy projects (despite noteable costly failures) is going to turn around the U.S. economy. If this was a new idea in the midst of economic prosperity, I might be gullible enough to vote for him again. However, this is the same economic plan he has outlined in every State of Union address and debate for the last four years and the one he wants to pursue for the next four years. If you think this plan will work, then vote for Obama. As for me, I am voting for Romney.
Gaelicpiper | Oct 23, 2012, 09:48 AM EDT
O'Dowd is a not a credible reporter. At best, he is just a word-smith; at his worst, he is a propagandist for the Dumocrats and the usefull fools.
Ronmey is not perfect, but he is way ahead of the empty suit whom would not have won the last election if he were not Black. What got O'bumma elected was white guilt; the white guilt propaganda that has been foisted upon the white population for the last 50 years. The blacks will vote for Butt-head for only one reason- he is at least half black. They will vote for Butt-head even though, because of O'bumma's demonstrated imcompetence, their standard of living has gone down, and they have lost jobs to illegal aleins in construction and other job slots.
I could go on, but, is it necessary?
twoeagles | Oct 23, 2012, 09:38 AM EDT
When George Bush left office gasoline was $1.84 per gallon and unemployment 5.6%. George had to deal with a one party majority Demwit Congress his last two years and Demwits Barney Frank and Chris Dodd and their handling of housing and banking led to the big foreclosure fiasco. Jimmy Carter deregulated the Savings and Loans early on and Bill Clinton made banks give loans to unqualified buyers who were yelling racial discrimination. But in light of all the Demwit's intervention in banking and housing somehow it's all Bush's fault.
Bocktherobber | Oct 23, 2012, 09:33 AM EDT
"We can't kill our way out of this problem", says Romney. Pity nobody told Bush.
hollabackgurl | Oct 23, 2012, 09:31 AM EDT
Romney endorsed Obama for president last night. Even Glenn Beck conceded that Obama won. I think the POTUS sank Romney's battleship.
francisquinn | Oct 23, 2012, 09:21 AM EDT
As usual N ODowd is giving us his liberl rant.....BO was giving us the same crap he has for the past few years....almost no change....he can recite it in his sleep....We will see in two weeks who won...
ColleenMcVeety | Oct 23, 2012, 09:20 AM EDT
I knew you were going to come out with just the opposite of what happened,
Thanks for not letting us down.
Romney played it brilliantly..he told the truth.
Try it sometime Niall!
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.jflanagan | Oct 24, 2012, 09:04 PM EDT
Since the President finally came out with an economic plan for the next four years and it's the same as the previous four years we are in for more poverty, people on food stamps, high cost for food, gas and clothing and lower GDP growth. Romney isn't great but he is a much better prospect than a President who makes more poor people so he and the liberals can gain power and votes. It is sad to see the President is once again running against former President Bush. He should get his head out of the sand and run against his true opponent. We can't afford continued spending of 24% of GDP and higher. President Clinton's spending of little more than 19% is what we need.
jamthecat | Oct 24, 2012, 07:34 PM EDT
Southside, I live in the real world; what plane of surreality do you live on? As for my head supposedly being in my rear-end -- I notice you did not refute one single solitary thing I said. Of course. You couldn't, because you know it's true, so your only recourse was to cry, "Well, Obama's not a nice guy" and hurl names, like an eleven year-old child. Typical Republican behavior.
71regiment | Oct 24, 2012, 02:16 PM EDT
O'Dowd writes the liberal version of how debate #3 went. Common sense says Obama was like a gadfly in it. His worst response to Romney's statement about the decrease of our sea power, saying like he was talking to some youngster, in that we now have aircraft carriers that planes can land on, and "ships" that go under water (in the US Navy they are commonly referred to as boats), and that we have fewer horses and bayonets now. Obama should tell it to the Marines and Army soldiers, they still use bayonnets, and our Special Forces back in 2001 in Afghanistan used horses against the Taliban and in conjunction with the "Northern Allinace" beat them. SF still retain horse for training in rough terrain and out west horses are used to help wouneded soldiers to get better and of oourse the famous Cassion Platoon carrying our honored dead to thier gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery use horses. But Obama with little or no experience in these matters perhaps does not know the above. Most of all he seems to lack knowledge of sea power and its role in history.
71regiment | Oct 24, 2012, 01:53 PM EDT
@readabook, read the Constitution, no establishment of a state religion.
BigDaddy | Oct 24, 2012, 01:37 PM EDT
Anne, what names are you referring to exactly? Don't you think anyone can see through the fact that you respond to a generic observation as if I had mentioned you by name? Please Anne, just cash the check and let's get this thing over with already. The majority of people in America do not want Willard. Neither do the majority want Obama. But if given a choice between the two, they would choose Obama because Willard is just like cotton candy. All fluff and no substance. But he will be president because the Kochs didn't spend over half a billion to let him lose.
cherykie | Oct 24, 2012, 11:40 AM EDT
Someone very wise said, Don't listen to what one says, know them by what they do. Democrats, Republicans, Teapartiers- these are just names. We need to shed our affiliation and LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. The current occupant of the white house has mangled and decimated the very structure of this country's foundation. He has made up his own rules, and the bill of rights and the constitution be damned! He has made several slips -visiting 57 states with 2 more to go, approval ratings very high in the " country of my birth", my muslim faith,etc. so his eligibility is highly suspect. He has circumvented procedure to write excessive executive orders to implement the attempt to become a dictatorial leader with absolute powers. with all the inferior presidents the US has endured, this is by far the most detrimental. We will never have a perfect government until the return of the Messiah, but for Americans, we need to strive to do better than the last 4 years.
southside77 | Oct 24, 2012, 11:16 AM EDT
jamthecat, please remove your head from your rear end. Obama,is nothing more than a career politician. Literally the last non political job he had was working at 31 flavors. Since then he has been living off the taxpayers. The worst of all not only is he a career politician he is the lowest form of a career, an Illinois career politician.Since I have been on this earth an unprecedented 4 Illinois governors have been put in jail. The last being Rod Blagojovich and who was the President of the Committee to reelect Blagojevich the last time he ran for office,non other than the career politician Obama. Barrack sat by for years as he sat in the Illinois State Senate and said nothing about the daily thieving that goes on in Illinois by the career politicians, lest they turn on him.So he put his own self interest before the well being of the people of Illinois, which at the very least makes him a first class coward. It is time for him to go.
jamthecat | Oct 23, 2012, 11:35 PM EDT
Romney already damaged himself with his ludicrous claim that Obama didn't even mention terrorism after the assault in Benghazi, and his hysterically bumbling trip to insult our allies, last Spring; it looks like someone finally got him to just shut up. That's the only smart thing he's done, so far. The rest of his campaign has been sheer stupidity. That Obama isn't winning this by a landslide against such a fool is his own fault, no one else's.
johnshiel | Oct 23, 2012, 08:03 PM EDT
hey, twoeagles: I have not seen your posts before; your "handle" is cool, and your post is cogent and substantive. weldone and welcome!
johnshiel | Oct 23, 2012, 07:35 PM EDT
I noticed that Romney smiled whenever he was not speaking... it was the kind of smile a person does when they know something...
irishpjk | Oct 23, 2012, 06:56 PM EDT
9-11 #2 Four people dead in Benhgazi, and the goast of Jimmy Carter will get Obama out on 11/6
readabook | Oct 23, 2012, 05:47 PM EDT
Anne Chambers "Cognitive Dissonance", Teabagger types, what kind of a person are you? I ask that my religious belief be honored, please do not attack me because I believe in the power of a pilgrimage made to Our Lady of Knock" I'm the kind of person who believes that religion is a Personal and Private Matter and to quote VP Biden who I'm sure is at least as good Catholic as you are (despite what the boorish Senator Fitzgerald preaches) but "doesn't believe in imposing his beliefs on others. in other words "Separation of Church and State" per the Constitution. I respect all religious beliefs just not the manipulation and abuse of it through the Sanctimonious among us who claim to have a "Direct Line To God" Thank you for the unsolicited Education on Our Lady of Knock. Good Luck with Your Prayers but she sounds like the type of inclusive,compassionate and non judgemental individual who would probably vote Democratic. :)
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 05:28 PM EDT
Good Irish proverb says it all.... "Any forest can be fired by its own kindling" So, Mr. BigDaddy, do not call names, say a prayer and let the people be heard.
allentown | Oct 23, 2012, 05:22 PM EDT
Romney's strategy worked. Make President Obama attack. Women dislike confrontation and aggressiveness. Romney is already increasing his likeability among women voters.
BigDaddy | Oct 23, 2012, 05:10 PM EDT
Hey Niall! If you are interested, I can do a better job than Ed from Cali; I'm sure of that. I notice that he too believes that Willard looked presidential. I guess we can't fault him for just laying the groundwork for another wondrous victory for America when Willard is given the job in two weeks. He probably got a family to feed.
BigDaddy | Oct 23, 2012, 05:06 PM EDT
I would prefer to think that the RNC pays people to post here than to think there are this many stupid people in America. Mr. O'Dowd has always struck me as being someone who knows on which side his bread is buttered. That would mean he only tells the truth about Republicans when it is obviously true. But the neocon sympathizers here cannot allow anyone to tell the truth no matter how obvious it is. Stories about voter registration crimes are out there but unreported by the "liberal media." Stories about who owns the voting machines that will tabulate the votes in two weeks are also out there but we read about who won the debate. Americans had better get used to being slaves because when Willard is given this election that is all you will be. Do you GOP sycophants truly think they give a damn about you? If you were smarter, I would tell you to brush up on your Leo Strauss. I can't pay you but it would be the patriotic thing to do.
cillowen | Oct 23, 2012, 04:49 PM EDT
an empty suited parroting what Obama has done. Like Lurch of that Munsters tele show some choice - what were repuggers thinking.
Scrivner | Oct 23, 2012, 04:45 PM EDT
Romney acted more presidential than Obama, critisim of foreign affairs is a more dangerous game than critisism of domestic policy--therefore Mitt won respect. As to Obama's snarky remarks about the U.S.Navy now having aircraft carriers and submarines unlike 1914, got news for you: Naval aviation just observed it's 100th anniversary (a heavy cruiser was converted with a plank flight deck for biplanes to take off and land) and Mr Holland had already delivered an operational submirsible some years before. Mr Obama spent too much time in Hyde Park talking only with fantasy theoreticians like Bernadorn and her hubby Tom.
michaelidaho | Oct 23, 2012, 04:20 PM EDT
eiriamach, Wow, you actually believe, like Obama, that more clean energy, more math and science teachers and more financial regulation is going to cause the American economy to rebound. You do what Obama does best - critize the opponent's plan without offering anything of substance.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 03:51 PM EDT
When you are standing in a hole, do not keep digging. Obama will not win, time to try a new crop.
olovely | Oct 23, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT
Obama is going to win re-election. Take it to the bank.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 03:42 PM EDT
"Cognitive Dissonance", Teabagger types, what kind of a person are you? I ask that my religious belief be honored, please do not attack me because I believe in the power of a pilgrimage made to Our Lady of Knock. I used the term "pull the wool over our eyes, when perhaps I should have said, bring our nation and our world back to their values which come down by placing God at the top of our list, bring back and save the innocent babies being murdered, the families suffering because of the current economic state, etc. For those that do not remember about the Apparition of Our Lady of Knock: Some months before the Apparition, Archdeacon Cavanagh made known to his parishioners his plan to say one hundred masses for the souls in purgatory which our Blessed Mother wished released. These masses were completed shortly before the Apparition.
readabook | Oct 23, 2012, 03:17 PM EDT
I cannot believe the "Cognitive Dissonance" of you Teabagger types. It's enough to turn my Centrist hide into a lefty liberal. Obama lost the first debate and Democrats admitted it. Today's Repubs with your Teabagger bosses remind me of a Boxer who gets counted his arms in victory. Romney discussed Foreign Policy after being relentlessly drilled by his advisors and his wooden responses reflected it. Obama,gave him a lesson in Foreign Affairs. You keep praising Ronald Reagan but you don't represent anything that he stood for and I'm sure that he,Kemp,Ford,etal are turning over in their graves based on what's happened to their party. You selfish neocons don't get it! Obama is a Centrist and his ideology is closer to Reagans (as was Clinton's) then yours will ever be. Be brave though, Donald Trump has declared that tomorrow he will have some "unbelievable news" about Obama that will all but 'seal the' election for Romney! Can't Wait ! (Can You!) PS to Anne Chambers "Our Lady of Knock has heard my prayers" I Don't think she gets involved in "Teabagger politics".
KatieMurphy | Oct 23, 2012, 03:02 PM EDT
Romney flat out lied by omision - still a sin - In one of the debates he said that GM went bankrupt despite the govt help............What Gm did was go into re-organizition bankruptcy. It saved the company and 200,000 people have jobs there now, many others in suppliers to GM The Republicans wanted to let GM go totally bust - so that people like bain or others would have another shot to sell off GMs assets for a profit...........Most likely buyer for thed plants / machinery - Red China - our economic and military competitor in the world.........BTW Romney is a bishop in his Mormon church. HE should be totally ashamed of what he did with his misleading statements. But his pride triumphs honesty ..................................................................................BTW Obamacare is almost identical and was modeled on Romney care in MA. His party's platform shows they would sell out their own values for votes. ..........Obamacare is about protecting life.
Canal Rat | Oct 23, 2012, 02:51 PM EDT
Obama told "an untruth" about Romney and the auto industry. I just checked the Op Ed piece he wrote. In the op-ed, Romney said he thought the government should play a role in handling a managed bankruptcy. “The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing,” Romney wrote in the op-ed. “A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.” Which is exactly what Romney said last night.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 02:30 PM EDT
Obama, is chomh brean le pluais an mhadarua.
Nicomax | Oct 23, 2012, 02:17 PM EDT
The Mitt looked just like the former investment guy is was, who stepped into politics as something else to do once he was swimming in coins, but was not familiar with some of the key issues impacting a president other than cutting taxes and regulations. He could be a more of an empty vessel than Bush was, and thus subject to even more dangerous neocon follies.
mok1030 | Oct 23, 2012, 02:15 PM EDT
mitti is a successful business man per his claims. he knows how balance the budget per his claim... why then is his campaign 11million and change american dollars in the red. doesnt seem very balanced to me. also excessive blinking is a nervous liers tell. much like excessive water drinking ryan.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 02:10 PM EDT
Nial, No one can deny the Great Famine in Ireland, it was one of the most tragic and defining moments of Irish history. There will be another one of those moments affecting not only the US, Ireland, but the entire world if Obama is elected to serve another term as President. The liberals watch CNN, the conservatives watch FOX, and the “one nation under God” intelligent voters keep abreast of the economy, terrorist, debt, killing of unborn children, the murder of thousands all over the world, and the elected officials who allow all of the above.
Searlit | Oct 23, 2012, 02:05 PM EDT
I was thinking the same thing - that Mitt Romney acted defensive. The way he explained his stance on Foreign Affairs such as Iran's capacity for nuclear arms and Syria's importance, geographically to Iran, sounded like gobbledygook.
AnneChambersUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 01:42 PM EDT
Nial, your attempt to spin the debate does not reflect profession journalism. I am a female Irish Catholic who lives in America and goes home to my family in Mayo on a now regular basis. Obama is wrong for America, Ireland, and the world. He is clearly not the "Messiah", spend some time looking into issues that were in this debate, Obama clearly lied, and Obama will continue to destroy the economy not just in the US, but in the world. Our Lady of Knock has heard my prayers, Obama and his cohorts will not pull the wool over our eyes, again.
Los Leandros | Oct 23, 2012, 01:36 PM EDT
I thought the debate was reasonably even & civilised/mature. In stark contrast to the vice-Presidential fiasco. President Obama's major achilles heel in this election has been Joe Biden. He should'nt be let out alone. He just irritates people.
hollabackgurl | Oct 23, 2012, 01:34 PM EDT
I wouldn't say Obama won by default, he won by being the better candidate, by far. He sank Romney's battleship.
pndirishandprou | Oct 23, 2012, 01:33 PM EDT
Oldwildrover: quite delusional assessment of the debate. Obama arrogant? Really? He exposed Romney for what he is: a flip-flopper on pretty much every topic and, of course, as a foreign and defense policy neophyte who has a thing or two learn. Keep drinking your Republican Koolaid and get ready to watch Obama being declared the winner with 285 electoral votes at around 11pm on November 6.
Oldwildrover | Oct 23, 2012, 01:20 PM EDT
Mitt was cool, calm and collective. He just watched Obama being his usual arrogant and condescending self. Yes, bayonets and horses are still used today in Afghanistan, ask any US Marine. Both were used also in the mountains of Iraq, not necessarily by US forces but by the terrorists. Way to go Mitt....I can't wait to vote.
MegK311 | Oct 23, 2012, 01:10 PM EDT
Nial, I wish you would try to be a more professional journalist and stop writing your biased reports. I don't think we were both watching the same debate. Obama did not say anything to convince me to vote for him. The thought of 4 more years of the Obama administration gives me the holy horrors. I think that history will show that George Bush was a good President. He was not perfect but I always felt safe when he was in charge.
BurrRobson | Oct 23, 2012, 01:08 PM EDT
Is this article a joke? Could never tell it was written by a liberal. The fact is that Obama LIED AGAIN when he said Romney wanted to let GM and others die. What the h*** kind of government do we have when it's run by a confirmed liar. What Romney wanted was the car companies to have managed bankruptcies backed by the government. This was written by the NY Times at the time. And also, contrary to our lying mouth President, George Bush bailed out the car companies. I feel as if liberals live in some sort of parallel universe. But hey, if that to liberals is a win, so be it. What a shameful thing for our country though.
tom/peggy | Oct 23, 2012, 01:06 PM EDT
CBS Focus Group in Ohio goes for ???????? Romney
Bill Doherty | Oct 23, 2012, 01:00 PM EDT
I do not know how many of you have served in the Armed Forces of the U.S. but,when the NCO ranks are behind a candidate its very telling on foreign affairs on many fronts. Read the Military times poll dated in early Oct Romney hands down in all critical area's,we may not like to say it but this stick is our #1. tool for dealing with challenges around the world.
Smyrnian | Oct 23, 2012, 12:58 PM EDT
Just more IC cheerleading for BHO. Romney did quite well and BHO looked angry and un-Presidential. The IC slobbering love affair with the Obama's (and anything left) continues.
RedBranch | Oct 23, 2012, 12:36 PM EDT
'...George Bush and his failed presidency.' Always seemed to me he was the President who made the IRA disarm on his watch and that was good for Ireland.
miltonedunn | Oct 23, 2012, 12:17 PM EDT
What is it with you sick puppies and obumr
patrickesq | Oct 23, 2012, 12:07 PM EDT
Niall, I think your take on the debate is objective and honest(you did not make up the CBS poll results). Too many o your readers on the right seem to let their expectations and desires alter their perception of reality!
feeneycj | Oct 23, 2012, 11:56 AM EDT
Look, they agreed on many things as far as foreign policy and that's a good thing. On some things, Romney stated the weaknesses in Obama's policy. Benghazi does not have to be discussed anymore, we know Obama's administration screwed up. Obama sounded like a school teacher trying to pompously pound his own facts, and did not look presidential doing so. Obama was over the top with belittling about horses and bayonets and naive in stating what aircraft carriers/subs we have. By the way, both horses and bayonets have been used in Afghanistan. It's a rough country. To assume that a bulky carrier can do what nimble ships can do is naive. Obama showed his lack of knowledge and lack of strength. Romney did not lay all his cards out on the bargaining table whereas Obama naively has and does. Also, Romney exudes strength in voice and stance; Obama exudes weakness. Given Romney has had 3 liberal media moderators for 3 debates, the deck was stacked against him, and yet he won anyway. I look forward to President Romney taking office next year.
bunkerisland | Oct 23, 2012, 11:54 AM EDT
Essentially Romney appeared sad, dejected yet endorsed most of Barack's foreign affair related actions. Of course Barack was not strong enough, quick enough or thorough enough for the Republican. We know Romney is a real take charge man. Just talk with all those in the mid-west that were put on the street when the Mitten slashed employees then sold the various companies walking away with absurd "consulting fees". One hell of a guy this fellow with money hiding in accounts all over the world. If only I had an elevator for my 6 autos. It is real hell walking to the garage.
jerrydonovan | Oct 23, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT
For all you poor liberals did you not realize it, governor Romney has a very cunning foreign policy.All it involves is shipping American jobs overseas.all the countries have to do to get the jobs is to promise to be our friend.We will let the other countries worry about regulating the companies this way we can claim that there is less government.Of course the companies that move overseas will not have to pay taxes on an profits that they send back to the U.S.A.As for the workers who are unemployed as part of the deal in shipping the jobs overseas the countries will have to offer our unemployed workers WORK VISAS.This also will deal with the immigration problem.So with his foreign policy Romney will have taken care of his wealthy supporters,got rid of the unemployed,reduced the need for a strong military{everyone will be our friend}solved the immigration problem,reduced the need for government regulation{nothing left to regulate}but......that's enough for his first day in office.
Danny | Oct 23, 2012, 11:35 AM EDT
Hey Niall, did you watch the same debate that i did? The "fact checkers" proved that Obama lied. I guess that the fact that Obama has some Irish blood in him, makes you one of his fanboys. You have the right to print whatever you want, even if it's garbage!!!
DrMcHugh | Oct 23, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT
Without any doubt, President Obama won the debate last night on foreign policy. I watched on C-span, CNN, & Fox News. It was interesting how Fox News did not show a split screen where both candidates could be seen at the same time. It was sad to see the lack of ideas from Romney, who just copied the words of Obama, as if they were his own. Obama is an excellent leader. Last night proved to me that Romney is just a follower.
PiperMac52 | Oct 23, 2012, 11:08 AM EDT
Again you bias shows. I and many other do not see it that way. In Fact Obama was arrogant, condescending and interpreted Romney on several occasions. That does not make him right. In fact many of his facts were NOT facts but the usual Obama exaggerations. Romney was cool and even tempered and did not interrupt but made his points succinctly. You can spin it any way you want but we'll see election day.
antoman | Oct 23, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT
Play the ball lads. Not the man.
MaxTiger | Oct 23, 2012, 11:02 AM EDT
I'm sorry but this article fails in not mentioning Bush enough. I mean Bush just sat there when Messiah talked about Bush, Bush was still sitting there being Bush. Why didn't Bush defend Bush more? Why didn't Bush attack Messiah more like Bush usually does? It's time for Bush to stop apologising for being Bush and accept that Bush won't get a third term unless Bush shows voters how much different he is to Messiah. Also, did I mention that America is screwed if Bush goes back to an army equipped with nothing but horses and Bushes?
mccannon | Oct 23, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT
Romney won the debate by acting professional and Presidential. Obama acted like a child who had his toys taking away and was sulking to his parents. He is going to lose and I can't wait to visit this site to see all you Liberals eat your words in November when Romney wins. Why don't you look at the facts for your articles and print Obama's record? He is a dismal failure and will go down as one of America's worst Presidents!
CelticQueenUSA | Oct 23, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT
What I saw in this debate was devious manipulation by Romney to speak on whatever HE wanted. This was supposed to be about foreign policy but ended up on economics as per Romney;s manipulation of the situation. He is the shadiest character I have ever seen and I do not want this charlatan as President.
tom77381 | Oct 23, 2012, 10:55 AM EDT
WATCHED THE FINAL DEBATE LAST NIIGHT AND I HOPE THAT THE SECURITY PEOPLE AT THE WHITE HOUSE GUARD THE SILVERWARE AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS NOT TIED DOWN BECAUSE ON JANUARY 20 THERE WILL BE A NEW TENANT LIVING THERE.
Skibberrean | Oct 23, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT
DITTO EAMONNDUBLIN......ROMNEY WON THE DEBATE HANDS DOWN. HE LOOKED,ACTED AND SPOKE IN A PRESIDENTIAL MANNER AND HAD HIS FACTS CORRECT. BARRY WAS AGAIN LOST WITHOUT HIS TELEPROMPTER, TALKING ABOUT MIDDLE EASTERN WOMENS RIGHTS AND LOOKING AT THE MODERATOR FOR HELP....AGAIN LIKE THE CHILD THAT HE IS! O'DOWD YOU ARE SO FAR FROM A JOURNALIST, MAYBE BECAUSE YOU ARE SO FAR LEFT YOU HAVE LOST YOUR SENSE OF REASON!
1661996usmc | Oct 23, 2012, 10:46 AM EDT
Is there a relationship between the Bush's and the Romney's? They seem to follow the same rule, "Get from the middle class and give to the rich. War is a way to enrich the Rich and increase in defense spending does the same.
Edward McDonald | Oct 23, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
SPOT ON mlpowner! Romney consciously avoided the predicted pitfalls. His goal...which he achieved...was to keep the memory of Obama's horrendous 1st debate performance fresh. It was a clear picture of Obama's utter cluelessness.
FastEddy | Oct 23, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
Ghost? Is Bush dead? ... That's news! ... No matter how you try to spin this debate or any other, Oh Bummer is going down in flames ... Say hello to President Romney.
blackstone | Oct 23, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
Romney won the debate hands down. What's so ironic is the best part of any of Obama's foreign policy for his past four years has been a result of the continuation of policies implemented by the Bush administration. Romney scored the ultimate knockout with the simple truth that a 16 trillion deficit is our largest security risk and clearly Obama has proven that his policies are an economic failure.I trust that President Romney will represent the U.S. internationally in a stronger, more consistent way. All you need to know is Chavez, Castro and Putin all support the reelection of Obama.....big red flag, literally!! No thank you. Let freedom ring, Obama has been a complete disaster, no amount of spin can change that reality.
MikeRock | Oct 23, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT
How do I unsubscribe to this website? You can only take so much bias.
mlpowner | Oct 23, 2012, 10:38 AM EDT
Funny thing about these debates, those of us who intently watch politics always look for the red meat. But, in reality the debates are a forum to attack those few percentage of people in the middle, non-alligned voters. To that end, Romney certainly looked as capable, and kept bringing debate back to the economy. This debate did not give Obama the knock out he needed, it will not change the momentum of the race. In that regard, Romney won.
eiriamach | Oct 23, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT
It's not only math and science teachers and clean energy projects that Obama knows will strengthen our economy, and with it, the global economies that depend on US economic health. It's also rational limits on the power of financiers to place our financial health at risk of even worse disasters than the now-waning Great Recession (the dreaded-by-GOP "regulations"). Romney's economic policy, like his "foreign policy," is the same-old, same-old George W. approach. Example: "We can be a partner with China ... if they will be responsible." Translation: If the Chinese will let American businesses exploit Chinese workers and factories, then we can profit by them. Obama will work to repeal the tax breaks that US businesses gain from outsourcing and creating low-salary jobs overseas. He will strengthen the training and bargaining power of American workers. And he will fairly tax fairly all corporate profits, including profits made by exploiting cheap labor "off shore." There should not be better tax benefits in exploiting foreign labor markets than in paying American workers fair wages.
Towngate | Oct 23, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT
I am shocked that so many comments are so rude to Niall O'Dowd. Do they not realise he is Founder/Editor/Owner of this august organ! Show him some respect, and leave him to write whatever one-sided gobbeldy-gook he wants!
stanchaz | Oct 23, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT
The choice is clear: Move forward with Obama- or fall backwards to the failed Republican policies of the Bush years.
bobduggins | Oct 23, 2012, 10:24 AM EDT
What the writer and Obama fail to tell is the fact that George Bush had a Democratic congree and Obama had a majority for his first two years. A fifth grader should be able to tell who did what but the people that are in love with Obama do not see this. Four wasted years of a Presidency. Temember in 2012 anybody but Obama.
mikehoulihan | Oct 23, 2012, 10:20 AM EDT
O'Dowd you are an idiot. You couldn't find your ass with a map.
mikehoulihan | Oct 23, 2012, 10:12 AM EDT
may I concur with the comments about the supposed Mr Romney loss in this debate. He may have held back after #1 and #2 and his poll rise, but he sure did not sink to the stupid comment about horses and bayonets as Mr O did. I also switched parties, and will continue to vote GOP at the national level until all the Demos.' anti-Natural law and making up constitutional principles and laws as they do. I objected to Mr Bush and his war mongering and re-defining human rights over the war also. My simple suggestion for the debates is decide on key questions, get graphs on the economic plan and pay down the debt, and actual previous positions ready, show if they are current THEN debate rather than you said I did not for too much time. AP O' B Donegal, still voting as US citizen.
judiron | Oct 23, 2012, 10:00 AM EDT
just saw the article from Freemon, send him to France with Halle Berry, they desire each other.
EamonnDublin | Oct 23, 2012, 09:56 AM EDT
There is no point arguing/discussing with somebody as dyed-in-the-blue as Niall O'Dowd. Trotting out the same old stuff. Did you even bother to watch the debate, Niall? It appears to me that you have your utter ess aitch one tee eee input and ready to send even before the debates begin. As I say, no point arguing with you - we just have to wait two more weeks and then it's Bye Bye Barack. Éamonn, Dublin.
BBinRIC | Oct 23, 2012, 09:53 AM EDT
You have got to wonder sometimes what planet this O'Dowd character is living on. He obviously wasnt actually watching last nite's debate.
michaelidaho | Oct 23, 2012, 09:50 AM EDT
Let's face it this debate did not do anything for either candidate. While Obama many have won the debate, Romney also won by looking presidential and holding his own against the purported genius of the political left. The funniest moment for me was when I warned my wife that somehow Obama would interject education and clean energy into the debate. Somehow, he managed to do so, even though the debate was focused on foreign policy. The fact of the matter is that the American people are most concerned about the economy. Although I voted for Obama in 2008, I really do not see how adding 100,000 math and science teachers (without any discussion of reforms) and funding clean energy projects (despite noteable costly failures) is going to turn around the U.S. economy. If this was a new idea in the midst of economic prosperity, I might be gullible enough to vote for him again. However, this is the same economic plan he has outlined in every State of Union address and debate for the last four years and the one he wants to pursue for the next four years. If you think this plan will work, then vote for Obama. As for me, I am voting for Romney.
Gaelicpiper | Oct 23, 2012, 09:48 AM EDT
O'Dowd is a not a credible reporter. At best, he is just a word-smith; at his worst, he is a propagandist for the Dumocrats and the usefull fools. Ronmey is not perfect, but he is way ahead of the empty suit whom would not have won the last election if he were not Black. What got O'bumma elected was white guilt; the white guilt propaganda that has been foisted upon the white population for the last 50 years. The blacks will vote for Butt-head for only one reason- he is at least half black. They will vote for Butt-head even though, because of O'bumma's demonstrated imcompetence, their standard of living has gone down, and they have lost jobs to illegal aleins in construction and other job slots. I could go on, but, is it necessary?
twoeagles | Oct 23, 2012, 09:38 AM EDT
When George Bush left office gasoline was $1.84 per gallon and unemployment 5.6%. George had to deal with a one party majority Demwit Congress his last two years and Demwits Barney Frank and Chris Dodd and their handling of housing and banking led to the big foreclosure fiasco. Jimmy Carter deregulated the Savings and Loans early on and Bill Clinton made banks give loans to unqualified buyers who were yelling racial discrimination. But in light of all the Demwit's intervention in banking and housing somehow it's all Bush's fault.
Bocktherobber | Oct 23, 2012, 09:33 AM EDT
"We can't kill our way out of this problem", says Romney. Pity nobody told Bush.
hollabackgurl | Oct 23, 2012, 09:31 AM EDT
Romney endorsed Obama for president last night. Even Glenn Beck conceded that Obama won. I think the POTUS sank Romney's battleship.
francisquinn | Oct 23, 2012, 09:21 AM EDT
As usual N ODowd is giving us his liberl rant.....BO was giving us the same crap he has for the past few years....almost no change....he can recite it in his sleep....We will see in two weeks who won...
ColleenMcVeety | Oct 23, 2012, 09:20 AM EDT
I knew you were going to come out with just the opposite of what happened, Thanks for not letting us down. Romney played it brilliantly..he told the truth. Try it sometime Niall!