The Champ is Back!

[H2O Man]

That was the single best political debate that I've seen. And I say that as a person who recognizes that presidential "debates" have become something less than true debates. TV, which has increased the visibility of these contests since 1960, has also created an atmosphere where the appearance of style often trumps substance.

President Obama was impressive. Willard Romney made an impression, but it surely wasn't a good one. Perhaps the most accurate measure of this was the look on Michelle Obama's face as she approached her husband after the debate, and that of Ann Romney.

I think that this debate was just what we needed to give us the burst of energy necessary to work every day right up to the polls close on Election Day.

[mzmolly]

1. Happy to be the first to recommend,

friend.

I think that this debate was just what we needed to give us the burst of energy necessary to work every day right up to the polls close on Election Day.

Hear hear!

[H2O Man]

4. Thanks!

Everyone gathered here last night was inspired by the President. Some were fairly nervous before the debate. I wasn't -- but, to be honest, Obama exceeded my expectations. It was simply outstanding!

[mzmolly]

8. Indeed,

it was outstanding. And Romney was such an obnoxious twit, he made it hard to win, while maintaining composure. But the President pulled it off. Wow!

[H2O Man]

9. I like that

almost everyone on MSNBC has been describing the debate in the context of a boxing match. It's a good mental image.

Between today and the third debate, things are going to turn more for President Obama.

[shraby]

2. It sure cleared the track for the express train!

[H2O Man]

7. In the past

four or five years, the saying "thrown under the bus" has become popular. I think that Zitt Romney got flattened by the express train. His campaign is now a decal on the tracks, warning republican hobo "no crossing" here.

[Cha]

3. I do love a Good Come Back Story!

Thanks H2O

[H2O Man]

11. The Obama we saw

last night was indeed the real Obama. It's the man so many of us worked for in 2008. But now, we have a more mature man, who is actually better prepared for his second term, than the 2008 version was for the first.

Hell of a Good Come-Back story!

[porphyrian]

5. This election will surely be its own chapter in the history books, and we are part of it.

It's exciting.

[H2O Man]

12. Exactly.

We are able to keep The Dream alive by participating in it.

[spanone]

6. absolutely!!! k&r...

[H2O Man]

14. Thanks!

President Obama did even better than I had anticipated.

One of my friends who watched the debate here said it all: "You could mistake Obama as being other than a 'tough guy' if you went off his general appearance and behavior. But tonight, he showed that he is probably the last guy on earth you want coming after you."

[malaise]

10. Yes indeed

Rec

[H2O Man]

15. Thanks!

During the debate, I was saying, "Rumble, young man, rumble!" That line, of course, came from Bundini Brown when Muhammad Ali was executing his plan in the ring to perfection.

[flamingdem]

13. He caught the flow and mastered it nicely

[H2O Man]

16. Outstanding art!

Can't wait to show that to my friend who now serves as my editor and co-strategist. She is also an art teacher.

[ellisonz]

17. WOOOOOOAAAAHHH

[Bake]

18. The Prez WAS Muhammad Ali last night!!!

The Champ!!! The Greatest!!

Was Ali on the President's debate coaching team? Last night had it all ... the lightning fast jabs, the rope-a-dope ("please proceed ...&quot , the knockout punch (Obama's closing, complete with the 47%).

It was a thing of beauty!! Ali would be proud!!

And Romney was Leon Spinks last night, complete with teeth missing ...



Bake

[H2O Man]

24. Right.

In fact, Ali definitely IS proud of President Obama. Ali has a very high opinion of Barack. I've been told Ali views Barack like a son.

(I've met Brother Leon a few times at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He's a humble, decent man. While I agree 100% with your illustration, I feel compelled to say -- for others, not you -- that Leon is a far, far better man than Romney. As my father would have said, "Mitt ain't a zit on a good man's ass.&quot

[Bake]

30. No disrespect intended for Brother Leon!

He just was no match for the Champ!

Maybe I should've compared Rmoney to Randall "Tex" Cobb ... aka The Bleeder.



Bake

[H2O Man]

31. I also have met

Tex .... he was a pretty fair fighter, though not able to crack the top of the division. (Also, Chuck Wepner was the bleeder.)

I was reminded last night of an old Saturday Night Live bit, where they showed the film of Ken Norton knocking Duane Bobick out in impressive style in the first round. It was during the "news" segment, and they said (approximately), "A white man is viciously assaulted by a black man every 30 seconds on an American street."

Were I in contact with an old DUer who was associated with SNL, I'd suggest that they dig that clip out. It fit the debate.

[lunatica]

19. I truly believe that the VPs debate and this one will be historic

From now on all debates will be measured by these two debates. We've been witnesses to history once again.

[H2O Man]

25. Definitely.

I honestly believe that, as flawed as the current administration may be, it represents the only chance to keep a Constitutionally-based federal government as a potential option. The fact that previous administrations, most notably Bush-Cheney, crushed the life out of great parts of that form of social contract is beyond debate. The absolute urgency of re-electing Obama and Biden should not be underestimated. And, exactly as you said, those two debates will be among the most important events of this crucial time.

[coeur_de_lion]

20. It was a beautiful thing

And a clear victory. I can't understand why the MSM is not portraying it that way but it was clear enough to me.

[H2O Man]

26. It was beautiful.

And this old man was mighty happy to have the opportunity to share the experience -- from the build-up, to the event, to now -- with you ..... because you are beautiful. In every sense.

I hope you stick around these parts!

Your big brother,
Pat

[coeur_de_lion]

32. I'm sticking it

I remember vey well how we all stuck together back in 2004 and watched * steal the election. Dark days. And we all stuck together during the Plame scandal until it finally came to light.

I'm hoping the good guys will prevail this time.

Regardless of the outcome I'm happy as hell to see my brother.

Arby

[ismnotwasm]

21. He really was impressive

And I'm proud to be voting for him.

[H2O Man]

27. Oh, yes.

That is a hugely important point: being able to vote for Barack Obama is something that we, as citizens of this sometimes great nation, should be proud to do. I thank you for pointing that out. It's something that I personally will be reinforcing in my conversations with others, thanks to you.

[kentuck]

22. Float like a butterfly - sting like a bee...

He danced and jabbed and left his opponent staggering and flailing his arms in the middle of the ring. It was a thing of beauty. George Will said he had seen every presidential debate in history, since JFK and Nixon, and that this was by far the greatest presidential debate he had ever seen. And he thought Obama was the winner. And he is a conservative.

[H2O Man]

28. Right.

Before I wrote the OP, I was thinking over all the debates that I've seen. Now, although I was alive, I didn't watch the JFK vs Nixon "live." But I have studied them closely in the years since, not only because I have a great interest in JFK, but also because he is one of the two historical figures I've used to learn tactics from. (Malcolm X being the other.)

I didn't say that last night's debate was #1 lightly. Like you say, it was "a thing of beauty" -- much as Ali was in his great fights!

Float like a butterfly -- sting like a bee .... yeah, that sums it up perfectly!

[Smickey]

23. A very big K&R

Now that is the guy we all know and love. The one that has the best interests of all Americans in mind. The one that feels the pain of those lost to terrorists on the field of battle and in the board rooms of diplomacy. The one who has all our backs in uncertain times. The one who, when absolutely necessary, will in fact, slap the bat shit crazy out of you when pushed to it.

President Barack Obama.

[H2O Man]

29. Well said.

Very well said, indeed. Thank you.

He is providing our nation with the example of a very different type of strength, than many people understand. And lacking understanding, they are at a loss in terms of appreciating what it means. I'd say that it can be best illustrated by the tension with Iran: Romney, a necroconservative puppet per foreign affairs policy, would cause the suffering and death of thousands of human beings (and destabilize the global community) from the comfort and safety of his office. President Obama has the ability to resolve the issue as safely as any US President could, in the manner of JFK in the Cuban missile crisis.