Cramped in a room with a sea of red carpet, stuffed with undecided voters. Mitt Romney and Barack Obama duke it out for the fate of the nation. This will be the second these two have gone at it. last time Obama played it safe (by playing dead). Romney trampled all over him with his usual spiel, trying to shoehorn his platform into every question, stretching the truth like salt-water taffy. Candy Crowley, a portly-woman with a forgiving face, hosts.
The evening began with a question from the audience. A young man named Jeremy. He wore a suit, probably his father's (it looked big on him). He was concerned about his future. Something on all our minds. Romney steps up (he won the coin toss), puts on his smile, thanks Candy, thanks the kid, and talking about a lot of nothing. Rates? His economy, the economy he'll bring should he get elected, will bring about prosperity and he's looking out for you. That old chestnut. Obama got up, and, looking a little more spry reassured the young man that he was also looking out for his best interest. First question of the night? Meh.
Next on the docket. Domestic oil production. Romney jabs at the president, saying that the current administration revoked leases. Obama responded by saying that oilmen were abusing the privelege and trying to game the economy by "sitting on it for 10,20,30 years", and letting out the oil at profitable times. Tonight, Romney is a proponent of domestic oil production. But, who knows. That may change tomorrow morning. Romney put more emphasis on oil, whereas the president pushed the idea of solar and wind energy. Obama said that Romney thinks the alternative projects employing thousands in Colorado and Ohio are "invisible jobs". Where each candidate stands is there own opinion, but neither of them pointed out the fact that U.S. domestic oil discoveries peaked in the 1930s. Production was at highest in the 70s. Again, neither Obama nor Romney made any reference to this.
Later, Romney and Obama talk about Detroit, and, uh, MITT ROMNEY TAKES CREDIT FOR BAILING OUT GM! Even after that op-ed in the New York Times, "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt", after repeatedly bashing the president's decision these 4 years. The gloves are indeed off, but Mr. Romney's got the same old strategy. Stretch the truth, whenever possible. He says that the president basically took his advice, because GM did go bankrupt, but it was a managed bankruptcy. Romney still opposed the auto-bailout.
This was followed by Romney saying he's going to go town on China. And, then, in a moment of strength, the president called him on it. Specifically, the many investments Romney's company BAIN CAPITAL made in China. Immigration comes along and they both beat around the bush with that topic. Can't alienate Latino voters this close to the election.
Romney, when asked about the similarities between him and George W. Bush,
"President Bush and I are different people, and these are different times."
Romney goes on the offensive by pointing out Obama's fundraising trip to Vegas a day after the Sept 11 embassy attack in Libya. Obama said it was offensive to politicize the attack.
On Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's recent statement, chartering blame away from the president,
"Secretary Clinton has done an extraordinary job, but she works for me. I'm the president, and I'm always responsible,"
Romney spams "GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CREATE JOBS.
GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CREATE JOBS.
GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CREATE JOBS."
like a madman. While the president rebuts "That's not what I believe. I believe that the free enterprise system is the greatest engine of prosperity..."
In a final analysis, Obama had the last two minutes. Ending it on an up. He really wants to be president for the next four years. Romney looked like he had something more important to do after the debate.