2012 Presidential Debates: Round Three… Obama by default, but Romney Didn’t Lose.

Menzies House U.S. Politics Editor Michi Iljazi gives his analysis of the final 2012 Presidential debate

The Final Presidential debate has concluded and after watching all three I can safely tell you this: At no time did Obama have a better performance than what Mitt Romney did in the first debate, period. That being said, a few quick thoughts on this third and final debate of the 2012 election and what effect it could have as we reach the 14 days mark until the votes are counted for this Presidential contest.

Obama Threw Plenty of Punches… But Had Nothing New to Show for It.

This is why I give him the edge because he came out swinging in a far more aggressive manner than Governor Romney did, but only because he had to. Every single poll that has been conducted since the second debate has shown that the momentum in this election is clearly with Governor Romney, that’s just a fact. President Obama had no choice to but to get in there tonight and throw some heat toward the Governor otherwise the race could be declared over before any state even being called on election night. The last two debates the President has done a great job of getting his base revved up, and that’s clearly what he needs to do, but that being said he has offered nothing with regards to a second term agenda and when looking to be reelected if you are not running on your record (which he hasn’t been) you have to run on what you will do. Instead, the entire Obama reelection campaign has been to attack Governor Romney and make him unacceptable to voters. I’m not sure if it will work, time will tell.

Governor Romney was Disadvantaged Tonight, but Played Mistake-Free

The advisers to Governor Mitt Romney clearly told him two things in preparation for tonight’s debate: First, do no harm, be as safe as possible without seeming dethatched; second… pivot to the economy every chance you get. Governor Romney did both, he was engaged and came prepared to give his lines and discuss the ways in which he feels he would make a better choice as President but what he also did was ensure that his best issue against President Obama wasn’t left on the cutting room floor of tonight’s discussion. He had a few moments when he shined and most of them where when he moved from Foreign Policy to the economy and that is only natural as the economy is his strong selling point with voters and President Obama’s strength lies in his foreign policy record. Governor Romney chose NOT to invoke the tragic death of US Ambassador Stevens in order to make his case and that may have been a mistake, but we won't know for certain. That being said, he made no major gaffes and also took no major risks and felt that he played the best hand he could while having a slight lead in the polls.

Romney (left) & Obama (right) face off one last time for votes

Moderate This... 

Coming into tonight’s debate there was the talk of all the criticism from some of the performances of this years’ debate moderators. I thought that Scheiffer (except for the binder and his couple of jokes meant to mock Romney) was quite good tonight. He allowed a great deal of give and take for the two candidates to discuss their views and how they may differ from each other. Of the four moderators, he certainly was on par with Lehrer’s desire to just “let them play” as opposed to the performances of Crowley and Radditz constantly interrupting the gentlemen on the debate stage. Schieffer was also not opposed to allowing the subjects of the question at hand to be expanded upon and allowed both candidates to give a larger point of view of where they come from and where they may go on several issues tonight.

This was the final debate and I believe that President Obama may have curtailed the momentum that Governor Romney had coming in, both nationally and in Swing State polls. I was wrong in my assessment last time at how the polls would even out, so I may be wrong this time again. That being said, I will be doing a few more posts in the upcoming weeks before the election on he key Senate races and which states will play the largest role come election night, but as always I will do my best to present a fair and accurate picture of the climate of the election here in the United States!

Michi Iljazi is the U.S. Politics Editor of Menzies House. He earned his Master's Degree in Political Science at American University and currently resides in Washington, D.C. He has specialized in longitudinal campaign tracking, voter trends for Federal Races nationwide while working for Washington DC based center-right political advocacy organizations and currently works in Communications for a Virginia-based Advocacy Group. You may follow him on Twitter at @Michi83

Comments

[oldskool]

1.

Thanks for your updates, always look forward to them.

Go Romney

[Questor]

2.

It isnt always what you say, its how you say it. Obama wa boring, even in aggression. He laid traps fot Romney that Romney walked around.
One woman's coment was telling on a blog, "I know which of these two would open the door for me to pass." It wasn't Obama.
Obama left Libya on everone's lips after the secon debate and came off as a liar in the Clinton mode.
He made a stupid crack about bayonets which was also the news story. So two blunders in two debates that lit up the media and blogs. He should have left well enough alone. Romney was sure-footed.

[Selim]

3.

I don't support Obama's domestic policy, but you have to admit that Obama did pretty good in this foreign policy debate. Romney did indeed look very bad after Obama smashed Romney for flip flooping on many issues of significant relevance. And to be honest, he had many more shining moments than Romney did, especially when he smashed him on Romney's idea to buy more warships. Having said that, I completely disagree with your assessment of this debate.

[DaveB]

4.

Romney was the clear winner.

Obama was small minded and petulant, while Romney was dignified and presidential.

Romney only had to not lose this debate, which is why he played it low key and cool, while Obama had to have a clear victory, which he didn't. In this context, Romney won and Obama lost.

Romney was also attempting to gain the female vote, who are more likely to be turned off by strong arm tactics and fighting. Another victory to Romney.

Romney achieved both of his goals, while Obama failed miserably.

[budgie smuggler]

5.

A pity some in his party are doing all they can to reduce the female vote.
Latest being the bloke who reckons a conception as a result of rape is God's will.
He must be refering to the violent maniac of the old testament. U
ie. the misogynistic, homophobic, ethnic cleansing psychopathic one.

[oldskool]

6.

Budgie smuggler

By golly you have exposed Romney again, pure genius you are. If only the Obama campaign had someone like you to expose Romney. The election would already be over if you had of pointed out your genius observations earlier.

You peddle religious hatred and bigotry over and over again

Getting very old budgie

Yawn

Ps. You are not smart enough to put forward a sensible opinion

[budgie smuggler]

7.

I wouldn't call it a hatred oldskool. More a fascination of the absurdities that get a free pass in the credibility department.
As soon as you mention "faith", the absurdity is out of bounds.
Surely you have observed this phenomenon.

[oldskool]

8.

You say whilst hiding under the umbrella of protection which religion has provided you with. Please give me an alternative which would have the world in a better place than it is? The legacy of religious adherence may not be perfect but it leaves us with a fairly well functioning society where right and wrong are widely regarded as such.

Let me also point out that a religious adherent is less likely to steal from you, fornicate with your wife or kid or boyfriend or mother and more likely to help you if in need. Why? Because those who are relgious have a desire to improve themselves and are accountable to their God. Yet you sit back and anonymously insult and ridicule that which makes our society what it is.

Your ignorance and incessant ranting about your hatred of region has been heard on this site over and over again

Yes we have heard it all before Budgie Smuggler. It is very very old and repetitive

Take your mindless negativity and ignorance elsewhere

[budgie smuggler]

9.

http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1191614

My comment was on topic.