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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObama bounces back...because of Obama.
You may have read my opinion of the debate on Wednesday night. I stand by my critique 100%...and am very very very very VERY glad to see this right here.
How Obama reset his campaign
Nobody had to tell President Barack Obama he had whiffed when he walked off the stage in Denver Wednesday night nor was he in the mood for a lot of advice. You could tell he was pissed, said a person close to the president, But it wasnt like the end of the world. It was like, That wasnt good. The next one has to better. No apologies. No hand-wringing.
(snip)
At first, Obama didnt think his performance was a complete disaster. But he began Thursday morning by watching excerpts of his own performance and was especially struck by his own tentative, grim demeanor especially when he and a more relaxed Mitt Romney were broadcast in split-screen. It was worse than he thought, according to one person close to the situation. He was subdued but positive on a conference call with staff.
He huddled with his inner circle David Axelrod, David Plouffe, Valerie Jarrett, Anita Dunn, Ron Klain and Jim Messina and settled on the theme they hammered all of Thursday a direct attack on Romney that accused him of out-and-out lying on his tax-cut claims and portrayed the former Massachusetts governor as a two-faced imposter willing to say anything to win.
Hours after arguably the worst debate performance of his career, Obama charged that Romney is a different man than the guy he faced Wednesday. But it was the president who seemed to be a totally different guy on Thursday. Gone was the distracted, deer-in-headlights mumbler. In his place, suddenly, was someone doing a pretty good impersonation of Obama 08.
The rest: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/82091.html
GOOD.
It was a terrible debate, full of amazing opportunities that were missed. That is maddening, but doesn't have to be game-changing.
Sounds like the president has his head screwed on right. Mr. Romney should be worried about debate #2.
GOOD.
lame54
(35,293 posts)WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)ready for whichever Mitt Romney shows up for Debate #2
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)i don`t think it`s going to be pretty....
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)He said, "Fuck this fool, I'll keep cool and lay low and let him dig his holes."
There's no way of knowing how taking on the "amazing opportunities" could have had a BAD outcome the next day.
He did the right thing by letting Mitt go on and on with little response.
rgbecker
(4,832 posts)Best to leave the lying bastard to the pundits and just lay out his plans for moving FORWARD. Romney showed he was not going to debate policy but rather dodge and weave by lying about his position on each and every issue.
Suddenly, Romney who's entire tax policy is to reduce the "Job Creator's" taxes so they can hire more workers says he isn't going to reduce their taxes because he is going to close their loopholes and deductions. WTF? How could anyone reply to that in a way that was clear to the people who apparently were all taken in by the barrage of verbage taken right off the cheatsheet?
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)who was kind of on the "He should have pile-drived Robme! This proves he's not fit to lead!!!" bandwagon. (Hey NYC_SKP! forgive me for quoting myself!! )
During the show, I too wanted to see the Prez kick that creep in the nuts, but after some time to simmer down, I'm more aware that lighting your hair on fire doesn't do anyone any good. Seems a good majority of people are thinking the same.
I didn't read him as "bragging" about common ground. I took that as a strategy to take the focus away from rMoney's hyperbolics and back towards common sense; aiming towards higher ideals in the face of corruption. Anyway, the real purpose of the debates is to present themselves to the populace, not perform on the WWF. He may have been tired, and he may have been astounded by the sheer brazenness, and he may have been affected by the altitude, and the Syria/Turkey situation, but in spite of all that, he still managed to rise above the provocations Stenchy threw at him. That's leadership, imo.
And, take it from me, when dealing with Psychopaths, Narcissists, Borderline and other pathological personalities, the best way to engage is to manage your angry reactions, think clearly, appeal to those who are sane, and proceed unswayed toward your goals. (Not that I, personally do it so well! I think PBO has a better handle on that than I do. )
Dialogue is the ideal, but definitely--as you say--, you have to be able to go on without it when cooperation is not forthcoming.
Based on his various accomplishments so far, I think Obama has managed to do this pretty well, after he realized it is not possible to get repukes to behave like adults concerned for the good of all.
siligut
(12,272 posts)If you can't just get away from the pathological personality, the last thing you want to do is jump in with them. Maybe our Prez did it naturally, maybe he is that good, or maybe he had been warned that trying to treat a person like Mitt reasonably will only open you up for abuse.
You know from experience and I am sorry for that, but damn, it is good that someone else can see what I saw.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)yes, I learned from my mother, that was the start....best thing to do was be as invisible as possible.
I practiced with many more similar types over the years.
anyway, enough about how I got my degree in Abnormal Psychology!
I'm just glad that Prez. Obama knows more than me!
(love your screen name, by the way! Funny!)
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)You said it, sweetie!
I've worked a lot with, shall we say, poorly adjusted individuals and managing your emotions (and your expectations) is key, key, key.
I think he played expertly and really in about the only we he could have and still maintained the dignity and authority that defines him.
We are a warlike people, aren't we?
We expect our leaders to smack back twice as hard.
Thank goodness that he knows better!
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)call me a fangirl, but he really is quite amazing.
warlike people----yes we saw how that works out especially clearly with Commander Codpiece. The cowboy fantasy of every swaggerin' Amurkin' type beer drinkin' manly man......
as you say, again, Thank GOODNESS Prez. Obama is far and away more enlightened than that!
alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)But the Obama camp was correct to let 47% dangle.
You caught too much shit for your analysis, even if it was pitched about two octaves too high. The rose-colored glasses were indeed in short supply. That said, it wasn't as bad as all that, in the big scheme of things.
I trust Obama. I contributed again this morning.
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)That never happens.
alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)We all have our moments.
Skraxx
(2,977 posts)I'm not sure you could pull off the perfect performance. Sometimes you have to go for one thing, and not the other. Obama went for one thing last night, and in order to do that he had to sacrifice something else.
In the long run, it worked out fine, IMO.
Jennicut
(25,415 posts)He will be more on target and the town hall debate will be a much better format for him. I don't think the debate was a total disaster but I do think he can do better.
Incumbents don't always do well in their first debates. Not sure why...distracted by the job while campaigning and trying to cram info for the debate? Reagan sucked in his first one with Mondale, HW Bush was terrible at his first one and was double teamed with Clinton and Perot, W blew it at his first one with Kerry, Carter only got one chance and didn't do well. Only Clinton did well in '96 because....well, it was Bob Dole, who was like an ironing board.
RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)and FLIPFLOPPED AGAIN, so now TeamObama can BASH AWAY in the aftermath and Obama will take off the gloves in #2. In fact, I bet the national audience will be even BIGGER in the next one.
Cha
(297,305 posts)Yeah, I've heard people say that everyone tuned into the first debate but probably wouldn't watch anymore... I say I think they'll be back for round two and tell their friends.
"Mitt wants to do WHAT to Big Bird?!"
LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)In the end, Mitt Romney lost. Big.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1464864
bigtree
(85,998 posts)What possible good did it do to add to all of the hand-winging articles, instead of leading with an all-out focus on Romney's lies?
I really don't understand a full-blown article the morning afterward; especially from folks who say they're concerned with how the public received and processed that debate.
'deer-in-the-headlights mumbler?'
That helps.
K8-EEE
(15,667 posts)WTF is the point of that. The guy has one off night and everybody's running around with their hair on fire.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Watching a one-sided critique of O's presidency. Hardly "one off night"
You would have to be brain-dead not to realize how devastating that is. And, it is Obama's weakest area - the economy, which magnifies the damage.
I agree with you - we can't keep ragging him. I am more mad than critical.
But, he's the one that has to step up. It sounds like he is doing that. I am hopeful that he can turn this around. That he hasn't blown it.
Still wondering why he's mad - obviously he did what he was told. Whoever told him to hang back - should be fired. But, I am a hardass as far as work goes.
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)This.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)must have told him to lay low. Guess he doesn't have to fire them ...but rather, just start listening more to the ones who said defend yourself - and if Romney says something stupid, go for it. My guess is that Ax and Plouffe are the ones who told him to not attack. They have always struck me as brilliant mathematicians crunching electoral votes....but lack any kind of political savvy. JMHO
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)"This" = "I agree with this."
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)the President's campaign isn't aware of the dynamics?
Social media analysis: Who really won the debate?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021480923
Thursday night is gone, and so is Romney's high.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)it will pass. You must be a very stoic person, to not be mad
kentuck
(111,103 posts)They are important but not all important.
Obama is not a good debater. He is a very good speaker and can be a great orator at times but that does not equate to a good debater.
I would agree that he has to be ready to defend himself and the job he has done but that is a minimal requirement.
Just because Mitt Romney can win a debate does not automatically make him the best choice for President.
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)he stood there and let mittens lie,bully,talk down,and expose what mittens wife was really afraid of. there was no need to attack mittens because it would be impossible to refute every lie and half truth that he said.
there`s a lot to be said for not showing your tell during the first hand of poker.
Cha
(297,305 posts)Did not show tell.
RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)Hours after arguably the worst debate performance of his career, Obama charged that Romney is a different man than the guy he faced Wednesday. But it was the president who seemed to be a totally different guy on Thursday. Gone was the distracted, deer-in-headlights mumbler. In his place, suddenly, was someone doing a pretty good impersonation of Obama 08.
...typical Politico bullshit. Stephanie Cutter was on air that night talking about Romney's lies.
Romney on defense all night (and testy) Over tax, medicare plans Came to prosecute a case about the president but ended up defending his own plans -- or lack of specifics.
The President spoke directly to the American people, talked to voters as adults, laid out his plans to deal w/ deficit in a responsible way and create good paying sustainable jobs for mid class
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/03/1139464/-The-first-2012-presidential-debate-President-Obama-vs-Mr-47-13
Obama adviser David Plouffe defended the president's lack of any mention of Romney's 47 percent remarks in a post-debate appearance on MSNBC.
"First of all on the 47%, that's an issue that just about 100% of the country knows about. It's been chewed on over and appropriately so," he said. "The reason it's called Romney's problem is because it wasn't a gaffe. It was a revealing moment. We've run advertising on it so our strategy here was not zingers necessarily."
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/david-plouffe-obama-didnt-bring-up-47-percent
Cha
(297,305 posts)reminders, Prosense.
gkhouston
(21,642 posts)Several DUers talked about how wired Romney was during the debate. Some speculated that he was on drugs. Yeah, "more relaxed".
Major Hogwash
(17,656 posts)The Red Sox are out of the playoffs and they fired Valentine the same day.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)K8-EEE
(15,667 posts)I have to say, I don't mind people calling him out for missing opportunities and having a lackluster debate but Jesus Christ people he's a human being he's gonna have an off day now and then!
DU was like a cheerleader screaming 'YOU SUCK! YOU LOST ALREADY' when their team fumbles the ball -- more hyperbole here than at Freeperville.
K8-EEE
(15,667 posts)Jesus you would have thought he went up there and said he wanted to invade Mars or something!
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)It's quite pathetic how so many of his supporters here are bandwagoners. It's not a big fucking deal. I'm guessing Obama realized it wasn't a big fucking deal and that's why he's not letting this get him down. It's one debate ... that's it.
Cha
(297,305 posts)their chance. It is quite hysterical.
patrice
(47,992 posts)Wednesday night, it was more even match, with more people at 50:50 than most people are admitting.
fearnobush
(3,960 posts)And man, did they ever sell it. They fell in love with Rmoney and sold it to the American people. At the end of the debate, I knew Obama lost, but did I think it was a total and complete train wreck, no I did not. The MSM did and I can only hope Obama's 2008 reboot and today's job numbers change that narrative fast.
mountain grammy
(26,623 posts)had a bad feeling about it.. too hyped, more than any debate in my memory. Everyone expected Rmoney to look like a fool, and he didn't. The President was obviously subdued and ready for a different Mitt. Anyway, it's over, I'm no longer worried.. Rmoney is energized, but he'll say something stupid soon enough. He just can't help himself. Don't forget to vote, everyone!
budkin
(6,703 posts)Thanks for sharing!
DearAbby
(12,461 posts)Rove and the other super pacs are forced to keep spending on Romney, instead of concentrating down ticket...Obama had a blah night...but Rove & company (re: Senate and the House) not so good.
ellie
(6,929 posts)It made me feel better.
Zalatix
(8,994 posts)News about him reading from a piece of paper got back to me from someone I talked to over a cell phone earlier tonight.
It's getting around a LOT FASTER than I imagined it could.
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)1. It was a hankerchief, at least as far as Rachel Maddow last night.
2. Even if it wasn't, what's the argument here? That the President of the United States of America had a poor debate showing because Mitt Romney had a crib sheet?
Zalatix
(8,994 posts)On top of that, Romney's Gish Gallop is catching up to him, as well as his cheat sheet.
Romney is snatching a brutal defeat from the jaws of a stalemate.
Obama played him like a fiddle, and could well do so again with even WORSE results for Romney. It's more likely, however, that this was a setup for a Presidential foot going up Rmoney's ass in the next debate. It was not, as I contended from minute 1, a loss for Obama.
ananda
(28,866 posts)I think Obama did fine in debate one!
He told the truth and stayed on message.
Romney was a bully and aiming to draw
Obama out in a very nasty way.
Obama didn't take the bait.
Obama wins!
cilla4progress
(24,736 posts)I guess time will tell. A hell of a lot of pressure on our guy, but he's always pulled it out before.
Blue_Roses
(12,894 posts)for all the bullshit he was spewing, we had to look to the president to do it for us. And it didn't happen.
I have to admit to my, "ATTACK HIM!" moment (well, actually there were several) and "WHY ISN'T HE SAYING ANYTHING", meltdown. But, never once did I lose faith in him. Grant it, I was wondering what was going on at the time. He did look melancholy. But, I didn't find the need to bash him the way I've seen so many "supporters" do through the web, etc.
It's like when someone's favorite football team is losing--everybody abandons ship, but hell, if they're winning--Katy-bar-the-door, cause everybody is on the bandwagon, grabbing for that piece of the "moment."
Obama had these moments in 2008 (albeit, they were very far and few between) and yet, that is when he became the strongest. It's almost like these moments have to happen with him in order to get that "Fired-up and ready to go," spirit we all know so well.
I have no doubt that the next debate will be VERY different.