My opinion of the debate last night.

[William769]

It was a set up!

Build Romney's confidence up, then smash him like a little bug.

Short, sweet & to the point.

[still_one]

1. That is pure rationalization to justify that Obama didn't call Romney on his contradictions. You

Don't play cute games when the stakes are so high, and I do not believe that was their plan. They were taken off guard by the contradictions, and that should not have happened

The stakes are now higher, a lot more money will need to be spent to overcome those lies and contradictions

[William769]

2. I don't see it as a "cute game"

I see it as a excellent chess move. From what I have seen of President Obama's administration and his reelection team so far, I'm not worried in the least.

Thats my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[still_one]

5. I know you didn't. What I was trying to say I do not think that the Obama team planned this. In

Fact they never dreamed Romney would contradict himself so badly

They were.taken off guard, otherwise the President would have refuted the lies and contradictions

[cilla4progress]

7. I heard this in the ad nauseum pre-debate spin

that debating Rmoney would be like debating jello, because of his shape-shifting ...

I for one am glad Obama didn't bring up the 47% at this 1st debate, because I think it would have seemed overmuch ... he didn't need a stolen video, in other words, to debate Rmoney on substance.

I think Obama is holding some fire, pacing himself, although I don't know that they truly expected to much offense from Rmoney - although ... this WAS the same bully Rmoney we saw in the Rethug primary debates, and surely Obama watched tapes.

I think they have to have alternate strategies to respond to what the other guy must show up with, in the moment. I think Obama fell back to "likeability." If nothing else, don't appear argumentative. Unfortunately, that led to don't engage, in his on the spot re-calculation of "style." I think he could have simply turned to the Mitt on numerous occasions and asked a question, without appearing to aggressive.

I'm trying to understand Obama's looking down stance: perhaps he didn't want to show the fire in his eyes at Mitt's lies? Did he calculate that it would project a deferential persona? Was he really make copious notes for the NEXT debate?

[still_one]

8. He didn't have to bring up the 47%, he sound have addressed romney's contradictions that Romney

Brought up

[hexola]

3. Sound a little like stuff Palin supporters say...

Shall we start quoting Sun Tzu...?

[William769]

4. If you insist.

"Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate."

Injecting this with "Palin supporters"

[hexola]

6. I think "setup" is a bit strong...they had a strategy, and stuck with it...

No matter how painful it may have been...(I think that alone can account for the Prez seeming rattled/off...there was stuff he probably wanted to say)

[RC]

9. You could tell Obama had lots to say, but was holding back.

Hopefully, there will not be replay of this in the next debate.
I think the Obama team was blind sided here. Maybe with a proper debate and a real moderator, Obama would have come across as a little more forceful.