Here are the tweets I selected during the debate.
I score the first debate as a clear win for Romney. Obama was bumbling, Romney was on target with facts. Even Obama supporters — the semi-honest ones — were tweeting in despair.
@theplumlinegs I mean this respectfully, your guy is getting hammered
— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) October 4, 2012
Romney: “trickle down government won’t work.” #debate2012
— Tim Stanley (@timothy_stanley) October 4, 2012
Even I want him to have a teleprompter. Obama’s delivery is painful #debate
— Anne Sorock (@AnneSorock) October 4, 2012
Obama uses “$5 trillion tax cut for rich” line that CNN rated FALSE in its pregame show.
— jimgeraghty (@jimgeraghty) October 4, 2012
Did anyone just catch O’s slight smile as Romney talks? The pres seems slightly amused. Also seems that he senses a real fight tonight
— Robert Costa (@robertcostaNRO) October 4, 2012
President doesn’t sound as confident as Romney who is being much more forceful
— kirsten powers (@kirstenpowers10) October 4, 2012
Romney:”I’ve got 5 boys. I’m used to people saying the same thing over and over again hoping it becomes true.”
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) October 4, 2012
Romney line on five sons/used to hearing something repeated – great memorable rebuke of POTUS.
— Karl Rove (@KarlRove) October 4, 2012
You know @barackobama is freaking out when he has to talk about…..Donald Trump #debate
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) October 4, 2012
$5 trillion #drink
— Sam Birnbach (@detlions81) October 4, 2012
The fact checkers are waiting in the wings salivating. They are Obama’s only hope — they and the MSM will try to rehabilitate him.
— David Limbaugh (@DavidLimbaugh) October 4, 2012
This is how the Romney camp envisioned the campaign: let O defend his economic policies and have R say, not good enough, I will do better.
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) October 4, 2012
Obama just took credit for the deficit cut forced on him by hostage taking Tea Partiers.
— John Sexton (@verumserum) October 4, 2012
Romney: “I don’t want to kill jobs.” #2012debate
— Kathryn Jean Lopez (@kathrynlopez) October 4, 2012
Romney: “You don’t pick the winners and losers. You just pick the losers.” Not entirely accurate, but a good line. #DMNdebate
— Mike Hashimoto (@MikeHashimoto) October 4, 2012
Romney is relaxed and empathetic, while Obama comes across as a constipated professor. C’mon, Mr. President! #Debates
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) October 4, 2012
Romney is killing it. Killing it. Seriously, this is a terrible wedding anniversary.
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) October 4, 2012
Bipartisan feedback im getting right now is that Romney is doing much better than expected.
— David Gregory (@davidgregory) October 4, 2012
We have been waiting for this for four years. Romney is taking to Obama what the media has refused to do. #DenverDebate
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) October 4, 2012
This is a rolling calamity for Obama. He’s boring, abstract, and less human-seeming than Romney! thebea.st/RdXvE9
— Andrew Sullivan (@sullydish) October 4, 2012
Ouchy, RT @adamnagourney “Who is more absent from the stage? Jim Leher or President Obama. Close call.”
— The Fix (@TheFix) October 4, 2012
Romney dared to mention the death panels.Good for him. #debate #romney #teaparty #tcot #gop #republican
— Judson Phillips (@teapartynation) October 4, 2012
Clearest sign that Romney’s winning: liberals filling up my feed with what Obama *should* be saying
— Joshua Green (@JoshuaGreen) October 4, 2012
Romney has somehow managed to turn healthcare into a fantasy decision between grim rationing bureaucrats versus patients and hospitals.
— Andrew Sullivan (@sullydish) October 4, 2012
Romney looks like he’s having a good time. Obama does not. #debate
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) October 4, 2012
Obama bizarrely answering question about the size of government with a history lesson on Civil War #debate2012
— Tim Stanley (@timothy_stanley) October 4, 2012
“The role of gov’t is to promote and protect the principles of those documents” Romney, pointing to DOI and Constitution #DenverDebate
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) October 4, 2012
Holy crap, did Mitt Romney just actually invoke our founding documents and draw a clear worldview distinction? Be still my beating heart.
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) October 4, 2012
Email from liberal friend: “I think I might vote for Romney.” #scientificpolling
— Scott Conroy (@RealClearScott) October 4, 2012
Education is the key. But hearing Obama defend his record, after hearing Clinton, is painful. Truly painful. thebea.st/RdXvE9
— Andrew Sullivan (@sullydish) October 4, 2012
Teleprompter SAAAAAVE MEEEEEE
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) October 4, 2012
Twitter commentary, even among Dems, is incredibly one-sided that Romney is winning. I wonder if that’s political-junkie bias.
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) October 4, 2012
Liberals in #mapoli going nuts b/c they are used to the moderator bailing out their candidates when they suck pond water in a #debate
— Jack Gately (@jackgatelycom) October 4, 2012
Obama made a lot of great points tonight. Unfortunately, most of them were for Romney
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) October 4, 2012
MSNBC’s flag at half mast.
— Brian Sack (@brian_sack) October 4, 2012
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Comments
Wait… did Maher really say that or is today just April fools day?
Btw, I agree with Rove on my favorite line. That whole response from Romney was a home run.
Maybe Maher will claim his twitter account was hacked when he sobers up in the morning?
God bless Mitt Romney!
Casual Observer said: God bless Mitt Romney!
I’m certain Romney prepared and trained for these debates, but more importantly, I’m certain that Romney prayed most earnestly to God, leading up to the debate.
He was confident because he’d done his home work and he was composed because he could feel God’s presence.
Romney needs more of these.
Even crazy Ed Schulz says Obama lost!
Romney had to bring his A game. He brought his AAA game instead.
Maddow feeling licked which could mean anything
Best line of the nite.
Is there a Rikki Lake or Ellen DeGeneres joke in there?
😆 😆
Ironically, DeGeneres was found drowned tonight, face down in Rikki Lake.
Um, I can’t edit my regretted remark and may need an attorney. Any attorneys around here?
Surely Ellen can read the humor in that – she went to Harvard Law School after all!
LOL
Love the John Phillip Sousa Liberty Bell March! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Husband & I both laughed when it started up.
After watching the debate…. I actually have someone to vote FOR this election instead of merely voting against Obama.
I feel the same way. I’ve been a bit depressed about this election for the last month or so. Not anymore.
I have to ask … couldn’t we have lost McCain somewhere in Idaho back in 2008 ? … maybe in a potato patch.
[…] The fireworks are on at Legal Insurrection. […]
Solid performance for Romney! Fav line: “I’ve been in business 25 years and I have no idea what you’re talking about…. maybe I need another accountant!” LOVED IT!
Obama’s response was to shrug
“I don’t know either, they just told me to say that”
The most memorable line to me was “trickle down government”. I hope people pick up on on so it sticks to Obama.
Hey!
Don’t “Government Relief” yourself on my back and tell me it’s “Trickle Down Government!!!!!!!
I saw parts, but didn’t trust Romney’s answers. He said he’s not going to raise taxes, but his $17,000 limitation on deduction does raise taxes. His promise to work across the aisle like he did in MA just isn’t believable when it comes to the Federal government given the Tea Party’s influence. The lack of specifics by Romney also bothers me.
Yes, I loved the specifics we got in 2008 from Obama: Hope & Change. I’m the One we’ve been waiting for. Let it show this was the year the seas began to recede… blah, blaaaah, blaaaaaaah!
Of course, when he was specific, it was all lies. No taxes raised unless you make over 250K, if you like your health insurance…, I’ll cut the deficit in half, bills will be posted on the Internet, the health care debates will be on C-Span… etc.
I see the same people prepped you for concern trolling as prepped Obama for the debate.
1. The 17k limit works in the context of lowering the marginal tax rates and widening the brackets. It’s not a stand-alone proposal.
2. Your not believing he can work with the Tea Party seems to assume he is opposed to their objectives. Why would he oppose the objectives of the people who will win the election for him?
Concern Troll ALERT.
I like the 1 guy who’s against everybody else on the Like/Dislike. 1 is the Loneliest Number, ya know…?
Anyway, this is simple: If two people make the same Income (Income, not Cap Gains) they shouldn’t have VASTLY different Tax Liabilities. Cutting Rates and Limiting Deductions moves toward this result. Can’t wait.
Romney won Debate One. Even Andrew Sullivan is crying. Schadenfreude.
I just heard Greta say that Bill Mahr is really tearing up Obama on Twitter.
I can never bring myself to watch presidential debates… this is my go to in order to hear how things went!
WOW, I love it Prof!! I am actually hopeful, even out here in CA. How could I not be with the music & fireworks like this?
Empty chair reduced to a pile of kindling.
——————————————
Debate over, I catch the initial reaction from the usual suspects on FOX and then come to the keyboard to check out reaction at Legal Insurrection. During debate, grandson had been playing video games at grandpa’s computer, left volume dial at 11 on 10 point scale. I suffered a Sousa-induced myocardial infarction and am now posting on nurse’s iPad from Possum Holler NC Emergency Room.
Henry, I hope the debate results help to heal you! 🙂
how do we stop the fireworks?
the reply buttons aren’t working
FOX has a lot of previous mostly Obama voters, they thought Obama lost …
You can turn off the sound at the sound bar above the top post, but you can’t turn off the fireworks. As to hitting Reply, it should work.
Great marching music: takes me back to those days.
Obama. Orange. Romney. Human Color.
Visuals matter, and I Obama got McCained by his makeup artist.
Also, in the double shot, when Romney was speaking Obama kept looking at Lehrer like, “Hey, it’s time to interrupt him, okay? That’s our deal here”
From the Future:
The White House
Washington, D.C.
October 16, 2012
Dear Mr. Lehr,
Barack is not feeling well today and is running a temperature. As a result, he will not be able to attend tonight’s presidential debate.
Sincerely,
Valerie Jarrett
“Put those golf clubs away, Barack! You are not going outside when you’re supposed to be home sick. And no TV, either! Here’s a copy of Das Kapital, and if you haven’t finished five chapters by bedtime, you are getting Michelle’s veggie surprise for breakfast! Now… off to bed!”
Dude… lol, priceless.
Romney wiped the floor with him. It’s not that Obama was so bad, he was pretty good. But this is not a discussion about policy in a classroom. This is about a vision for the country. Mitt articulated that with passion, compassion and skill.
I am so in awe of Romney. That was incredible.
jim1: Sour grapes, troll!
You are obviously in a state of confusion (more so than usual) ’cause your guy just got his beeee-hind handed to him in public, mano-a-mano, for the first time
when obama loses, will the entire MSDNC lineup commit suicide? on camera? I’d pay to see it
Я больше как Чайко́вский музыка 1812!
But the Lee Greenwood is also очень хороший!
What’s the deal with the poorly babelfished Russian phrases, from people who clearly don’t know Russian?
(Hint: “как” doesn’t mean what you think it means. It’s “like” as in “This is like that.” not “like” as in “I like that.”)
Oil patch & bar Russian. Beyond that, I’m out of my depth.
If Romney keeps this up in the next two debates, is it possible that he could help people like Scott Brown?
Sarah is ON!!!
Just look at that smile! She said it ALL before she began to speak to Hannity!
Maybe Obama would have done better if he spoke in his circa-2007 accent: “Where you dollah?”
CNN POLL: Romney won debate 67%-25%
CNN is getting some stunning results from its flash poll, which it claims is scientific. Romney is crushing on every single question, even likeability which the media have told us for months that Romney is not likeable.
I don’t remember the exact wording, but one was “Who looked like more of a leader”? Romney beat Obama by about 20 points on that question. How can the challenger look like more of a leader than the current President of the United States? Polls next week are going to be interesting.
“even likeability”
Americans like a winner. Even better when he’s the underdog. You know, the apparatus of the media-state complex, etc.
Should have read: “You know, standing up against the apparatus of the media-state complex, etc.”
Isn’t this the first time in the last 4 years that Obama has actually had to answer any questions?
No wonder he looked petulant most of the night.
Obama petulant?
I think he’s practicing to replace Tyler Perry as Madea in Diary of a Mad Black Woman!
Flashbacks to his last real press conference, maybe?
Chrissy Matthews got a tinkle down his leg!!!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/10/03/chris_matthews_freaks_out_at_obama_after_debate_romney_was_winning.html
Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Romney used Biden’s remark about the middle class being “buried” and shoved it up Obama’s hiney. Biden will become the next Hoffa.
Romney kicked ass and took names.
Problem: Has he set the bar too high for himself for the next two debates?
Now I can’t wait for Ryan vs. “dim bulb” Biden.
A friend of mine watched a few minutes of the debate only, and that with the sound off. Judging from facial expressions, he thinks Obama easily won it and Romney looked stupid and slow.
Comparing that to the twitter reactions I see here put me in mind of the Nixon/Kennedy debate. I hope Romney really did win it but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Your friend doesn’t sound like a very perceptive person. I paid particular attention to facial expressions and body language during the debate and it didn’t make Obama look commanding, confident or competent.
Concern noted. Now Moby along TROLL!
Paid troll. Move along.
Hey, I know the same guy! He used to have a show over at MSNBC, and they ran his ass off. He also impersonated a sportscaster now and then. Name is Keith, something… drinks straight vodka nowadays… yells a lot, especially at stray dogs and his reflection in shiny things.
Methinks thou hast the same “friend” as Harry Reid….
[…] hands down. They noted that quite a few prominent liberals on Twitter agree. Speaking of Twitter, Legal Insurrection has some good debate tweets, and music.A few times Obama talked about “math” and then Romney would actually […]
I rather like Mark Hemmingway’s Tweet:
That wasn’t a debate so much as Mitt Romney just took Obama for a cross country drive strapped to the roof of his car.
Unfortunately I missed it. I caught a bug of some kind, had a hot toddy to knock down the chills and woke up as the debate was ending. I take it Mitt was in command of both his facts and his arguments while Barry made his usual lame talking points.
Did you catch the McCrory/Walton debate? Not quite the Romney smackdown, but close.
PS: Get well!
LOL
Except we both know Obama would have eaten the dog already by time of arrival. Probably prepared to some tastey “Bow Wow Chow” recipe of Elizabeth Warren’s.
Remember Elizabeth Warren – the 1/37th Cherokee?
Feel better soon NC Mountain Girl!!!!!!
Obama was channeling the empty chair.
[…] II: William Jacobson has the top TWEETS of the night. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmail from → 2012, Debate, Hot Air, Legal Insurrection, Mitt […]
Romney needed a good night. That was a *great* night.
[…] when a successful business leader debates an amateur golfer on taxes, budgets, and fiscal policy. Professor Jacobson is doing fireworks at his place in celebration of Romney’s historically fantastic debate performance. On my site, I offer […]
Wow, intrade has Obama falling like a lead balloon.
Democrats claiming “not a game changer”, but they don’t believe it.
Republicans believe it is, but don’t want to get over confident.
I think it is not, only because I think Romney was already winning. But this can give him ten points. America met the real Mitt Romney … and most will wonder why media are such whores for Obama.
In all seriousness Mitt Romney may have saved this country tonight. It is that dire.
Wish I could send more “likes” your way!
@JoeBiden
Folks, I hope you saw what I saw tonight: President Obama’s the choice to move us forward, not back. –Joe
__________
Haha what a clown. Slow Joe.
Yes, I’ve always wondered what Joe Biden actually sees, especially when he’s staring off into the firmament with that look – you know the Slow Joe look – on his face. Maybe he was wearing his tanning bed glasses…
The man is a complete phony who has either had the stage to himself or been in front of a room full of sycophants all his life. The emperor with no clothes stood naked for all the world to see tonight.
So now, what happens?
Plouffe and Axelrod and Jarrett have to be thinking “what on Earth can we do to avoid another 60-grit cornholing like that?”
They also have to be thinking whether their guy is really capable of doing any better.
If their conclusion on the latter point is that he cannot, we can expect to see Obama’s handlers trying to twist the debate organizers’ arms to change the format of the debates.
We can enjoy a brief victory lap. But then back to business.
There’s still a loooong way to go.
1. Breitbart reports that Obama is preparing a “Wag the Dog” attack on Libya as his October Surprise. Independent lefties who fancy themselves “strong on defense” (many Reagan Democrats) might get their excuse to return to the Obama column.
2. In 1984, Reagan was almost as bad as Obama in the first debate. Reagan came roaring back with a great performance the next time and nailed down his victory. Obama is no Reagan, but he’s got his “Wag the Dog” plan (see #1 above) and the MSM firmly on his side.
3. In 2004, Bush was horrible in the first debate, and came back enough to squeak out a victory. Obama isn’t even Bush, but see #2 above for why it matters less than you might think.
Romney had an awesome night. It’s something great to build on; let’s keep the momentum going.
But let’s not count our chickens. We are up against a ruthless authoritarian who has lost one election in his lifetime, because it wasn’t rigged in his favor — and this one most certainly is.
Bummer…having performance issues on your anniversary.
I believe the outed full tape did unnerve Obama.
Breitbart is here.
He’ll get more because there are more debates. This is the first time a wide swath of America got to hear what Mitt is saying as opposed to what the press tells them Mitt is saying. What most of America doesn’t know id that the people telling them what Mitt is saying aren’t trusted enough to run a tab at the Press Club. (Denver Press Club member for 20 years)
I missed most of the debate because I was unavoidably out last evening, but what little I managed to catch was proof enough that Romney was charging forth like a champion while Obama was sniveling in a corner. Even sweeter confirmation was my liberal husband (who watched most of it) admitting that Romney had won the debate.
If Fox thinks romney won, it is still possible that he did not. But when CNN, MSNBC, Andrew Sullivan, and Bill Mahre think Romney won, Romney won. I suspect the only MSM spin left will be, yes romney won, but it wont matter because debates dont really decide anything anyway.
[…] Legal Insurrection: Best Tweets of the First Presidential Debate […]
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[…] Romney, as per this tweet included in William A. Jacobson’s roundup, finally provided, in a national forum, the scrutiny long absent in coverage of this […]