MSNBC became FoxNews tonight

[center rising]

The defeatist attitude expressed by both Chris Matthews and Ed Schultz tonight was utterly pathetic!!!! While it wasn't the best debate for Obama, it was far from the monumental defeat these idiots were saying it was.

Gee guys, way to behave like FauxNews stooges!!

[treestar]

1. And Faux would never do that to their candidate!

No matter what Rmoney did, they'd say he won, even if he would up blubbering on the floor.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

15. Yes. I was extremely disappointed in Big Ed out of all of them... nt

[dhill926]

2. bottom line is.....

not that many people paid attention. And....debates don't determine elections.....

[grasswire]

3. the first pundit to speak was the REPUBLICAN strategist!!

That set the tone. He piped, and they followed.

[Connie_Corleone]

4. You would've thought Obama was

Cowering in a corner, knees to his chest, slobbering on himself during the whole debate the way those two knuckleheads were acting afterwards. Good grief!

[grasswire]

6. I'm beginning to wonder if MSNBC (GE) rolled us.

Tonight was such an unexpected reaction from them -- just over the top negative.

Did they get a call from the suits? Make it a horse race by slamming Obama?

[roguevalley]

27. no they didnt. lord. everyone take a breath.

[treestar]

21. They need a horse race too

In order to get more ratings. This "Obama Lost" is starting to take on a life of its own. Most people seem to "admit" it so they don't have to buck the crowd.

[helpisontheway]

5. They are probably stunned

They are also probably pissed because Obama did not fight back when there is do much at stake. Easy to show what a liar Mitt is but he decided not to do that.

[smorkingapple]

7. They were dead on and I'm proud we call it like it is.

Let the Republicans deny reality. Fuck them. The reality is Obama lost tonight and Ed and Chris were spot the fuck on with why. Getting mad because they told the truth means you want Obama to repeat his performance tonight. That would be a disaster for him and us.

This is the gift and the curse of our side. This is why Romney can claim he worked with Democrats, while Obama can't get a single fucking one to work with him on anything. We're reasonable and face hard truths. They don't. This is why we're better than them but it leads to nights like tonight where it's pretty much unanimous we lost. Had this occurred with Romney they'd never admit it.

[flamingdem]

8. I agree he could improve but #1 is to call out Rmoney as a lying sack o' shit nt

[TheDonkey]

14. I agree. We shouldn't openly reward someone for lying like Romney did

They talked purely style points and avoided the substance or lack thereof coming from Romney. Also Mitt had some more breathtaking flip flops that I do not think Obama was expecting. I do believe it is because the White House bubble. MSNBC anchors were upset he wasn't giving out red meat, which he never really does, but he should have done more because Romney was wild.

[marlakay]

17. We were all saying that at debate party

That democrats are willing to compromise and republicans aren't. I also think that is why everything is so middle right now because they say solid no and we move and move.

[renate]

19. I agree completely

"This is the gift and the curse of our side"--

It would certainly be handy if all Democrats fell into lockstep with their leaders, but we think for ourselves. It's a pain that getting Democrats organized is like herding cats, but it's less embarrassing than if we all just obeyed orders like Republicans do.

We are reality-based. Tonight was not awesome. I'm glad that Ed and Chris and Al and everybody at MSNBC didn't try to pretend that it was.

[treestar]

20. If that's the case, which way do we want it?

Quit saying Obama "lost" as no one "wins" these things. There is formal debate scoring but it can't apply to these "debates."

[treestar]

22. Maybe we can think for ourselves rather than let

Ed and Chris and Rachel decide. That would be a difference from the right wing too, which follows whatever Hannity and Rush say.

Pundits are not naturally ever on our side. They need controversy - that sells.

[unc70]

23. Strongly disagree. Rev Al had it right

Romney lost. Every time we wanted to yell "Liar!" at the screen, were reminded of the 47% video, or saw Romney as a bully who ignored the rules and insisted on getting his own way -- we were seeing the basis for many Obama ads.

[budkin]

9. They wanted Obama to crush Romney

I totally understand why they were upset. I felt the same right after the debate ended.

[mary195149]

10. It's okay to express their true feelings.

I'd rather listen to some true opinions then to Fox where they turn everything they do no matter how awful into a positive.

[WI_DEM]

11. By that reasoning then DU became Fox News tonight or did you notice all the

negative posts about Obama's performance? I think people here and on MSNBC were frustrated that Obama didn't fight back at Romney's lies harder and seemed to be rather lackluster.

[Pisces]

29. I am with you. I can not believe he let the medicare lie continue to go unchallenged. The masses

watching for the first time will not know that Romney is lying and they will not read the newspapers today to see all of the
fact checking stories. I don't understand why President Obama seemed so out of it. It may be Syria, don't know, but
he was not on that stage last night. He lost his train of thought a few times. I am anxious, furious, depressed all of the above
today. I guess I expected a decisive win by the President and I got a punch in the gut.

[ancianita]

13. Bullshit. They are still the most fact based and working class oriented network on TV.

They wanted a take-down, that's all. They needed Sharpton to snap them to their senses. He nailed what was wrong with appearing to win a battle, and how that setup will defeat one in winning the war.

What Sharpton said brought them all out of their awe with shallow numbers play and back to their better analytical selves. Matthews will walk back his first reactions. MSNBC will stick to fact-based truth, no matter what. You can count on that.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

16. I would prefer they not criticize the man they supposedly want to help elect...

No matter how poorly he does.

[NCLefty]

18. I don't usually watch Ed

but I DO usually watch Chris, and I can't watch either of them after this debate... fast-forwarding through it.

And the reason I don't watch Ed is because he's too willing to call people names and such. If we're trying to LEAN FORWARD I think we should be a little better than the other side. Walk and walk and such. Also maybe he's a bit too loud/in your face/animated/emotional/something for my tastes. I do agree with many of this points about things though :p

[TroyD]

24. I think you're being too harsh

These people are major Obama supporters. How can you compare them to FOX?

They were engaging in constructive criticism, just like we are here.

They want Obama to learn from this and they want him to SUCCEED.

[center rising]

25. Constructice criticism???

There was nothing constructive about both Matthews and Schultz becoming unhinged because Obama didn't pander to them. Both of them wanted blood in the water especially Matthews who lives to see just that.

[Connie_Corleone]

26. And since when has Obama EVER acted like that in a debate?

Did they forget Obama's debate performances from 2008? Granted, Obama could've done much better, but he's never going to come out and pummel someone in a debate. That's not his style. Never was.

[Pisces]

28. No one expected him to be hyper aggressive, but we didn't expect to see the Pres. look so hesistant

I feel sick to my stomach and angry that the Pres. came off so badly. Why????? Even if this is some master plan, I don't like it.
This gives wind in the sales of a demoralized Republican base. Some who might not have voted will come out of this Macho, Alpha
actor. He mimicked Reagan, he practised for weeks.

No one likes to see their team lose. This was not good. I felt just like Tweety. I almost thought that Malia and Sasha had been
kidnapped and the Pres was told to lose or else. That is how bad I thought he did. I went to be depressed and disgusted.

It isn't anyone on DU that I am worried about, or my family. I am worried about the fools that just tuned in. The morans that
don't know the issues inside and out. The morons that don't know Romney was lying and won't care what the fact checkers
print this morning on the 50 lies he told. I am enraged that Obama did not cut him down on the 760 million dollar medicare lie!!!
He had several opportunities. Why did he agree with Romney on anything, especially about Social Security. He gave him to many
easy outs!!!!!

No matter what I am Team Obama, but I am no happy with last night.

[SoapBox]

30. Our household thoughts exactly...

Even my Mom, 91 (!!!), asked what was wrong with the President.

I will stick by Ed Schultz...he has a fire in the belly for the working people, middle and lower class people in America and he's a FLAME over the lack-luster performance. I don't think that anyone can say that the President at least should have firmly countered with FACT. Plain and simple...but RMoney got away with lie, after lie, after lie. The President didn't challenge him and that worthless Lehrer was just run over by Mr. "He can argue with 5 boys" Liar.

We are 100% behind the President but it is those few wishy-washy types that we don't want dribbling over to the Repuke side.

[bamacrat]

31. Yeah that was pretty disgusting.

I had to turn to CNN, CNN!

[Joe the Revelator]

32. you have terrible expectations for your media.