Everyone in the debate was pleasant. For one of the three speakers, that was to be expected. As someone from L.A., a place where there are more marijuana dispensaries than Starbucks shops, Jim was predictably mellow about the affair - repeatedly congratulating himself whenever he managed to establish a "clear distinction" between the views of the two candidates. He even didn't mind when Obama went a total of four minutes over time. The two debaters, too, were extremely respectful of one another. I also found interesting how the blue backdrop of the constitution blended with Obama's clothing and how Romney stood out with his red tie, and how their eye shadow reflected the - no.
< expletive > it. Chris Christie, eat your heart out.
Mitt Romney killed it, just killed it. According to the latest CNN poll, 67% of viewers thought Mitt Romney won, the greatest margin of the last eight presidential election cycles. Although Obama made several good points and had a strong opening, in the end Mitt Romney got the better of almost every exchange. The simple fact is Mitt Romney appeared to be much more informed on the issues, and made excellent rebuttals to Obama's points. By contrast, Obama hoped to land emotional appeals - about his anniversary, his mother, the people on the campaign trail, how Romney's math just shouldn't make sense and instinctively feels phony. He came off as the more inexperienced debater.
So let's go over the main points play by play.
Energy: Win goes to Governor Romney
Romney pointed out that 3 billion is nothing compared to 90 billion Obama gave as subsidies to green energy like wind/solar, many of which companies went out of business - he didn't just name Solyndra, he went down the list. He also pointed out, (finally!) that Obama has only hurt energy production. The increase is from private lands, whereas energy production is down 50% on public land and Obama has blocked efforts such as the key-stone pipeline.
Education: Win goes to President Obama
There were few interesting arguments made here. Obama talked about race to the top without making a strong argument for why it was effective, and Romney repeated that Massachusetts was the top state for education without explaining what he had to do with it. However, Obama made an effective argument in favor of a policy made by his administration. Many government loans that were guaranteed by the government (government pays if defaulted upon) were handled by banks that took a middle-man cut without taking any risk. No more banks, more loans - simple.
Economy: Win for the Governor with extreme prejudice.
What Romney accomplished is a complete eradication of the stereotype that he is a rich guy in a bubble that does not care about the lower/middle class. In the clearest defense of not raising taxes on the top 2-3%, Romney re-established himself as the best man for the economy. Perhaps CNN's 17 economists were on to something. He pointed out that the top 3% of small businesses actually employ 50% of all small business employees - that's 25% of the entire work force.
In the final analysis, Romney mopped the floor with Obama tonight. Romney has finally responded with the "Economy Tax." The first successful term that he has coined (I double-face-palmed when he tried to make a go with 'Obamaloney') will be the one that for me has shifted the momentum of the election.
Edit: Can't wait for the next debate - it's gonna be Fun. Funn-y.
Multimedia References
Rondo. "Chill Jim Lehrer--First Presidential Debate." News Genius. N.p., 22 Nov. 2012. Web. 04 Sept. 2013.
"Presidential Debate 2012 (Complete) Romney Vs.Obama - 10/3/2012." New York Times. YouTube, 03 Oct. 2012. Web. 05 Sept. 2013.
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