The first debate: High stakes for Obama, Romney

Just 34 days out from the November election, there's little argument that tonight's presidential debate - in which President Obama and Mitt Romney will go head-to-head for the first time in this campaign - is a high-stakes affair for both men.

With polls increasingly showing Mr. Obama leading Romney by varying degrees, both nationally and in battleground states, the Colorado match-up offers each candidate a critical opportunity: For the president, it's a chance to shore up his support and solidify what appears to be a recent advantage; Romney, meanwhile, has perhaps his best remaining shot at seizing a much-needed boost in momentum after a disappointing couple of months.

"The stakes are enormous for Mitt Romney," said Steve Schmidt, a Republican strategist who served as a top adviser to 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain. "He goes into the debate behind, after a difficult summer, a failed convention, and a series of self-inflicted wounds in September. The hour is growing short to make up ground and come from behind in the swing states where he needs to win if he wants to become elected president."

One debate may not be enough for Romney to take over the lead, analysts say, but a strong performance tonight could certainly put him on the right path - a fact both that will surely weigh deeply on the minds of both candidates.

"I don't think Romney can change the entire trajectory of the campaign at the debate," said Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons. "But he can jump-start that change."

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Despite ongoing efforts by both camps to tamp down debate expectations, there's no question that the event will have bearing on the public consciousness. According to Nielsen estimates, 52.7 million people watched the first match-up between Mr. Obama and McCain in the 2008 presidential contest - and that was down 16 percent from the first presidential debate in 2004, when 62.5 million people tuned in.

Given the stakes, both candidates have been assiduously preparing.

Romney has spent several days over the last month prepping with senior advisers and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, who is playing the president in preparatory sessions, and dedicated three days during the Democratic National Convention to mock debates with the senator.

And even while the Obama campaign said the president had to cancel several sessions due to events in the Middle East, he headed to Nevada earlier this week to log some serious prep time with 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, who is standing in for Romney in practice debates.

Eager though each campaign may be to claim underdog status -- and both have proven exceptionally eager to do just that in recent weeks -- by many accounts it's Romney who has the most ground to make up going into the event.

"Romney doesn't need to try to win the election [tonight]," said Dan Schnur, a former Republican strategist now at the University of Southern California. "There are never magical transformational moments in a presidential debate that's going to fundamentally remake the race. But for a challenger, being on the stage toe-to-toe with an incumbent is an important opportunity to prove that you can be trusted with the responsibilities of the presidency."

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[guava142]

Romney thinks of himself only.He cant see the living of a poor man
Obama about humans and their welfare.







romney

[guava142]

Romney thinks of himself only.He cant see the living of a poor man
Obama about humans and their welfare.







romney

[giocondaL]

Romney's stupid statement shows his mental narrowness. With the money he wants to save on Big Bird's "salary" he wants to finance the war against Iran. He claims he likes Big Bird! Nevertheless he pledges to fire him, to harm him and make him lose his job. One can imagine how Romney will treat people, animals he does not like (47% of the American people!) He promises to create jobs but wants to slash public broadcasting and produce unemployment. How cruel, how stupid is this person? Typical Romney logic that no reasonable voter understands.

If you want your kids to be deprived of a beloved, popular TV hero than vote for Romney.
If you want your dogs, your cats, your horses to ride on top of your cars than vote for Romney.

Romney will not create the jobs he promises to create. Just because he used the word "jobs" much more than President Obama did does not mean that he will be able to create more jobs. Once in office, he will forget his promise and will concentrate on the war against Iran that he plans with Netanjahu.

And, yes: President Obama won the debate because he was sincere, concentrated on the important topics and not on his own show. President Obama did not use a cheat sheet. Obama did not threaten to fire anyone. He was tired, but he convinced in his sincere manner. Romney just learnt his lesson by heart, he played his favourite role: Hollywood clown. During the debate he just managed to satisfy his ego, President Obama managed to convince the voters that he meant what he said. The serious matter was not to make a brilliant impression, but to debate on important issues.

Good luck from Germany, Mister President!

[mountainstates1]

I don't think these are high stakes at all. People have already made up their minds. As for the debates, Romney came across as overbearing, bossy, disrespectful, and cold. All the qualities that made him a good CEO of Bane Capital when he shipped millions of American jobs to China after his company coldly and calculatingly took over small companies and "harvested" them for parts. No thanks.

[allconserve]

anyone with half a brain knows romney won the debate

[mountainstates1]

Romney rehearses his lines well. So do the Muppet's. What's your point?

[allconserve]

anyone with half a brain knows romney won the debate

[SaraServalis]

Voting Is A Choice Between A Pink ***** & A Purple *****
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZAmfDWsRwA

[independants]

After watching tonight's debate, we thought the moderator did a poor job of controlling Romney. Obama seemed to yield his time more readily when asked. It would be interesting to tabulate the amount of time in total that each candidate actually used.

[allconserve]

are you kidding me,what debate were you watching,obamma had 4 more minutes than rommney according to CBS,you couldnt shut him up.

[mountainstates1]

Romney lacked leadership and dignity. He repeatedly interrupted as if to say, "I have to get in my well-memorized zinger before I forget!"

[TX-Ed]

Obama - 1

Romney - 0

: )

[bluejacket2-2009]

Mitt is on the defensive over healthcare, impatient when Obama speaks as well... hardly Presidential.. Frustrated with being out witted actually.. Obama is cool under pressure as a President should be.

[Spudthedog]

Obama may appear slick, but he has proven himself to be a liar, divisive, and just plain low down cheat.