If Obama did what I think he did last night, he is absolutely brilliant.

[Rochester]

I can't help but wonder if Obama intentionally underperformed in order to make the Republicans think they still have a chance at unseating him. Every dollar that the Republicans throw at this glimmer of hope is one less dollar they have to spend on House and Senate races, where it might matter!
I think Obama's lead is still safe. It's time to DEMOLISH the Republicans in Congress.

[onehandle]

1. One can hope. nt

[Frustratedlady]

2. Well, the requests for money are hot and heavy this morning. eom

[bigwillq]

3. Possibly

I don't think Obama did as poorly as some think, although he could've been much better.

Obama could have said this or could of said that or attacked more, but that didn't bother me as much as his overall image. He just seemed out of it. There wasn't any passion or conviction in the words he spoke. Not sure what the issue was.

But yesterday is over. Time to move on to the next one.

[gordianot]

6. I do believe he is a family man, life in that fish bowl sucks, it was his anniversary.

Beneath his reserved no drama exterior there is a lot of passion he took the job he needs to channel it differently.

[Enrique]

4. he always performs like that

if he had kicked Mitt's ass, it would have been the first time he ever kicked anyone's ass in a debate, unless I missed it.

[NYC Liberal]

5. Read somewhere that Romney donors who were

going to divert their money to Congressional races are scrapping that plan after last night. If so, that is just what we want!

[Faux pas]

7. Obama was the cool tortoise

mittens was the rabid hyena. Worked for me!

[K Gardner]

8. Been thinking a lot about this. I remember in the '08 primaries, we always thought he was

underperforming or missing opportunities, then he came out with a Check Mate.

I hope that is the case.

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. No. But he is running out the clock.

He didn't need to swing for the fence. I suspect he'll be somewhat more forceful in the next debate, but not dramatically so.

He's playing a strategy; walking the line between aloof professionalism and "angry black man".

Romney on the other hand IS throwing hail marys and the potential downside of showing how much of a liar he is is an acceptable risk. He's desperate, nuts, losing and he knows it.

Obama's main miscalculation was not expecting such poor moderation, or the depth of Romney's desperation.

Now he's prepared for those things. I'm not worried overmuch.

I expect Biden to seriously unload on Ryan. "All out of bubblegum" unload.

[kalli007]

14. I was thinking that too

That Biden is going to SERIOUSLY unload on Ryan. No need to worry about appearing to bully a female like in 08.

[tallahasseedem]

15. I was thinking after the debate last night...

that Ryan better prepare for an ass whoopin'! I can't wait!

[RepublicanElephant]

10. i agree.

i also think obama wants this race close enough to encourage high voter turnout.

[gblady]

11. I think this is important.....

I think that there is a danger, when being as far ahead in the polls as our President has been, that peeps will get complacent.
I see the perception of the race tightening as a good thing.

[Mz Pip]

12. I don't think it was intentional

This isn't a game. I just don't see Obama taking that risk. Why alienate not only your supporters but also those who may be on the fence? It doesn't make sense. Obama could have given a good debate and Mitt would still be a lying creep. There would still be plenty of ad material.

There is no reason to intentionally screw up in front of 40 million people. For whatever reason, Obama had a bad night and hopefully it won't cost him too much.

[MatthewStLouis]

13. He was definitley playing it safe. Maybe he was worried if he brought up some of Mitt's albatrosses

it may have given RMoney an opportunity to fix them. Better to keep things like tax returns, Bain capital and 47% comments safe for use in TV commercials. I'm sure by now, RMoney is dying for a chance to properly smooth over the 47% video and address his Bain critics. These are things he cannot bring up himself, but can when confronted directly. I'm sure he has some carefully crafted rebuttals and he is just waiting for the right time to use them.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

16. It wasn't the occasion for a knife fight. Letting Romney spew provides new avenues of attack. nt

[ohheckyeah]

17. As I said in another thread...

Obama heard about the situation in Turkey just hours before the debate. He is still president even if there is a debate....he had real life shit to worry about.

[crazylpn]

18. That's what I was thinking!

Obama is a smart and cool guy. He'll do ok, especially in the next debate!
Biden will tear Ryan a new one in the next debate too!