Obama retools, Romney builds on momentum post-debate

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (L) speaks as Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. President Barack Obama (R) listens during the Presidential Debate at the University of Denver on October 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.

/ AP Photo

(CBS News) Following their first debate the previous night in Colorado, President Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney were back on the campaign trail Thursday.

A more animated Obama, following his performance at the debate that was reportedly described as lackluster, told a crowd in Wisconsin: "When I got onto the stage, I met this very spirited fellow who claimed to be Mitt Romney. But it couldn't have been Mitt Romney, because the real Mitt Romney has been running around the country for the last year promising $5 trillion in tax cuts that favor the wealthy."

Watch Nancy Cordes' "CBS Evening News" report on the Obama campaign following the president's lackluster debate appearance:

Supporter Darien Wilson, who was at the appearance, was wondering where that spirited Obama the night before.

"I was wanting him to have more enthusiasm in his answers and hit back a little more. I felt like Romney was lying right and left. I was like, 'Come on, call him on that.'"

Meanwhile Romney was capitalizing on his sparkling debate performance and made a surprise appearance Thursday morning before the Colorado Conservative Political Action Conference.

Watch Jaw Crawford's ' "CBS Evening News" report on the revitalized Romney campaign:

"Last night, I thought was a great opportunity for the American people to see two very different visions for the country," said Romney. "And I think it was helpful to be able to describe those visions. I saw the president's vision as trickle-down government and I don't think that's what America believes in."

In addition Romney, who was later campaigning in Virginia, is also ramping up spending on television after being outspent by the president more than 2-1 in swing states. On Thursday morning released a new ad reinforcing his message in the debate.

Obama campaign readies post-debate counterpunch
Romney basks in debate afterglow at surprise CPAC visit
Moving on from debate, Obama uses humor to jab Romney
Post-debate, Romney and supporters go negative

[newseer]

AS HIS FELLOW REPUBLICAN R. REAGAN,( WHO, UNLIKE ROMMEY WAS QUALIFIED TO BE A PRESIDENT-AND HE WAS GOOD ONE)USED TO SAY: "HERE WE GO AGAIN"! ROMMNEY, ONCE AGAIN, FLIP-FLOPPING AND DENYING IN FRONT OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHAT HE HAD SAID BEFORE, INSTEAD OF DEFENDING HIS PREVIOUS STATEMENTS AND "PLANS" TOGETHER WITH HIS PREACHER ATTITUDE AND CONDESCENDING DEMEANOR, LET ALONE HIS SILLY SMILE, HE SHOWED THAT HE LACKS THE QUALITIES TO BE OUR PRESIDENT. HE FAILS MISERABLY TO STAND AND DEFEND HIS VIEWPOINTS AND CHANGES HIS "PLANS" TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND OTHER TIMES WE HEARD HIM CYNICALLY SAYING: THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID BEFORE WHEN, IN FACT, IT WAS WHAT HE SAID BEFORE. IT WAS A SHAME FOR REPUBLICANS. AND NOONE WANTS A DISHONEST PRESIDENT THAT HIDES HIS FORTUNE IN OFF-SHORE BANK ACCOUNTS TO AVOID TAXES, WHEN THE MIDDLE CLASS AND THOSE HE WOULD IGNORED AS PRESIDENT, PAY THEIR TAXES DULY. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS COME FROM THE WEALTHY, AND INSTITUTIONS THAT MANIPULATE THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND THE LIKES OF JACK WELCH WHOSE "EX" CORPORATION GENERAL ELECTRIC DOES NOT PAY ANY TAXES. AMERICANS ARE INTELLIGENT AND ARE NOT GOING TO FALL IN THIS TRAP.

[ctcalif]

ROMNEY IS A LYING CHEATER. CHECK OUT YOU TUBE. Several different camera angles clearly show LYING Romney CHEATING on a national debate stage. What class these 1%er's have.

[ongelooflijk-2009]

No doubt, Romney was the best performer in Wednesdays debate----emphasis on 'performer'; focusing primarily on generalities and dancing upon the periphery of a majority of the issues.

Although there was little if any substance in anything he said------he sure did sound good! Could have sold a glass of saltwater to a sailor marooned at sea, which is analogous to his and Ryan's prescription for a floundering economy and struggling middle class!

I hope those watching and listening realize this and know that looking and sounding good doesn't necessarily make for the best policy!

I'm not looking for a president who is the best debater but one who is honest, deliberate, thoughtful and decisive and who wants what's best for 'all Americans'. These are qualities that Obama has and Romney doesn't!

Romney's a first-class chameleon, as evidenced by his now saying he was completely wrong about the 47% and numerous other statements in the past!

Did he mean he was wrong to have said it or wrong about what he said? I guess we'll never know!

[indie-voter]

Interesting comments.
FactCheck.org http://factcheck.org/2012/10/dubious-denver-debate-declarations says
"Dubious Denver Debate Declarations
Obama and Romney swap exaggerations and false claims in their first meeting.
Posted on October 4, 2012

Summary
We found exaggerations and false claims flying thick and fast during the first debate between President Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney."

So much for Romney being the sole liar at the debate. Go there and read on.

[sciline]

Obama knew exactly what he was doing. He was setting Romney up for Round 2 where the audience will be larger and comparisons can be made without the possibility of any acceptable refutation. If he had challenged Romey on every turn of his BS, the debate would still be going on! So he just let Romney rave on!

[askagain]

Still looking for excuses for Obama's bad performance.

[indie-voter]

Comments at this site were to the effect that Prez O would "clean up" and "smash" Romney at the first debate.

[Rldvs]

Romney builds on momentum? Kind of hard since he barely got 2 point bump in his rating still leaving him behind 6-8 points behind Obamna.

[tmonta67]

It won't change my vote, but I was disappointed in Obama's lackluster peformance. Don't know what he was thinking, letting Romney control the tone of the debate. He's going to have to do better than this in the next one.

[1stlttightwad]

Then you are hopeless..When faced with the facts you chose to ignore them?..You are the one America needs to worry about if Obama wins..

[lami987]

Romney was aggressive at the debate and appeared to master every thing. But no specific plan was given on how to give more tax cuts without increasing debt and borrowing. Every single tax cut only increase our borrowing and debt. Before Reagan our debt was $900 billion that was accumulated over more than a century. After his tax cut, he and Bush Sr. more than quadrupled it in just 12 years to $4.2 trillion with $290 billion per year budget deficit. Clinton increased tax for the rich and we got a balanced budget and a $250 billion per year budget surplus in his second term. We also got 4% unemployment. Then came Bush Jr's tax cut, and immediately the balanced budget and surplus disappeared. He double the debt in 8 years with budget deficit of $1 trillion per year and 10% unemployment. Obama couldn't get any tax increase passed and continue to chug along with Bush tax policies and so continue to increase our debt. Romney wants to spend even more on tax cut now despite of all those past failures. The sensible way to improve our economy is to disallow Romney wannabes and Bain wannabes from tax evasion and job outsourcing which I believe Romney would not do. Businesses and the wealthy Americans are not job creators. American consumers are the real job creators. Job are created when consumers buy. Businesses will layoff their workers or cut pay when consumers do not buy regardless of how much tax cut or money they have.

[jersam13]

As opposed to the detailed plans supplied by Obama? More promises as to how much would be realized? Please save a detailed list and IF? he wins see if did better with this second try. Recognize that he has taken much liberty with the constitution. Something he will never get away with again.

[USSAmerikan]

The president was in a brain fog... 50 thousand feet, then 5,000 feet... Yes, of course, that was it! I know it is true because a Nobel Peace Price Laureate said it! It was said by none other than the man who created the Internet and told us my house in Florida would be under water by right about now!!! If Al Gore said it, it is true, plain and simple!!!

[notreich]

It's easier to throw lies and distortions willy-nilly than clear them up in a time-shortened format. Maybe next debate Obama can pivot back to all of those and be ready to simply call them what they are and what the truth is. And be ready to point out all the contradictory things Romney has said in the past.

[1stlttightwad]

Romney called Obama out on errors.. didn't he...why didn't Obama do the same...hmm, could it be Romney was correct and Obama didn't want 50 million people see him get caught in a lie..He can lie to the stupid people that show up at his rallies but in front of people that aren't enamored with him...Nah.