Craig Crawford: Obama Throws A Game

[EarlG]

Had it been an NBA game he might be investigated. But this is presidential politics and for whatever reasons – maybe good ones – Barack Obama didn’t even try to win last night’s debate.

Headlines such as “Liberals Livid at Obama Performance” won’t hurt him among swing voters. And it won’t hurt Democrats to lure GOP donors into thinking Romney has a chance at a moment when they were threatening to shift funds to House and Senate races.

It has been humorous to watch Romney’s delusional tribe dance rituals around the campfire, simply because the cavalry took a nap. And agitated liberals really ought to calm down. Obama has never been a heavy lifter in debates, but still managed to get elected.

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http://craigcrawford.com/2012/10/04/obama-throws-a-game/

[K Gardner]

1. The more I think about it, the more I agree with this assessment. n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. Media was going to call it a "comeback" fro Romney no matter what

President Obama probably didn't feel like there was much they could do to change it, so he let them have it. He chose to play it safe.

[cbayer]

3. I felt sick right after the debate, but reading some of the analyses today, I feel better.

I have to believe this was the planned strategy. He put the ropes out there for Romney to hang himself, and as the fact checkers weigh in, it may have been the smartest thing he could do. Romney's increasing confidence as the debate progressed was met with an increasing number of wide grins (smirks?) by Obama. And as Romney became more confident, the things he said became less factual.

[tallahasseedem]

4. I feel better as well...

I didn't get much sleep last night at all!

[Cognitive_Resonance]

6. Yes, team Obama took a calculated risk. They let Romney be Romney this time. nt

[Silent3]

7. Funny how the reaction can be so visceral

I felt sick too, didn't sleep more than an hour or two last night, and could barely eat but a few bites of my lunch today. I'm beginning to feel a bit better, but I'm still a bit worried despite reassurances. I don't think the debate nearly bad enough to lose Obama the election, but that feels a little dicier now, and I'm worried that his coattails won't be all they might have been, and the already small chance of reclaiming the House has gotten smaller.

A strong debate performance might have come close to locking in victory, and we didn't get that. I'd like to think this was part of some clever strategy, but that still feels like wishful thinking to me.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

5. Pres. Obama's team is playing the long game. Romney did his candidacy more harm than good. nt