Presidential Debate Wrap-Up: Round One Goes to Romney

Menzies House U.S. Politics Editor Michi Iljazi discusses the first Presidential Debate between Obama/Romney.

Some quick thoughts on tonight’s first of three Presidential Debates and what it means going forward in the campaign. 

Romney Brought His A-Game

Governor Romney was well prepared for tonight’s debate bringing three things that were essential to coming out on top in the first debate between the Presidential contenders. The first thing he brought was a rebuttal to the attacks on his policy views and proposals on issues ranging from Taxes to Medicare, to even Education. He did something extremely important in the first part of the debate not allowing President Obama to define him on the issue of taxes, unlike McCain in 2008. Second, he brought with him an authenticity much like Obama has when he discussed real stories of real American voters he has encountered on the campaign trail. Finally, he exuded a certain confidence to be a part of the debate stage, something that voters do respond to in kind.

Romney & Obama Meet in First Debate

Where was Obama? 

This wasn’t an Intel-briefing so I am surprised he appeared to skip the event. In all seriousness it did seem as if the President just didn’t want to be there and he did stumble at times when trying to formulate a response to either Mr. Lehrer or Governor Romney. It was akin to the famous “watch-check” by former President GHW Bush in 1992 when he famously glanced at his wristwatch during a debate with then Governor Bill Clinton and third party Candidate Ross Perot. President Obama needs to step up his effort, and I suspect he will, as my thought is he was either downplaying his expectations for next time, or felt he had the lead decided to not take any chances thinking Romney would not come out swinging as he did. Expect a better performance from the President in the second debate, I highly doubt he will be subdued in Debate number two.

 

What Media Bias?

Debate Moderator Jim Lehrer was very leveled in the debate and I was surprised. I am the biggest critic of media bias that I know and yet not one single question about “47%” tonight (that almost cost me btw). So, why the kid gloves for Romney from his toughest opponent, the Obama-loving press? I have two theories: One, they wanted Romney to win the first debate so they could have a story to talk about, everyone loves a comeback! Or, they thought (as many others), that this wouldn’t be close and President Obama would come out and eviscerate Romney. I will be particularly interested in the expectations game now as many were predicting an Obama win in the first debate. I suspect they will raise the bar for Romney in New York (site of debate #2), and then the moderator (Candy Crowley) will likely try to help the President to ensure that he gets his groove back, even if he doesn’t need the help!

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

[John Mc]

1.

The 47% will be played as a trump card in one of the future debates. I think it was just being held back until it was really needed.

[Ben]

2.

Good post. American elections are always more exciting than ours.

[oldskool]

3.

Could it be that without the media editing, distorting, manipulating That an unedited, undistorted, Romney is really so much better than the Obama alternative?

The media could not interfere today by creating their own false narrative to create a self fulfilling prophecy that

when the two are on a equal playing field- Romney looks so much better

[oldskool]

4.

PS. surely Jim Lehrer is above the NBC NYT etc media manipulation

Is it fair to say that NBC have lost all credibility as a news service over their doctored tapes and distortions? or is the US oblivious to it?

any unskewed poll is labelled "conservative leaning"

[kraka]

5.

Having just come back from the US there is an air of despair that Romney's 47% comment is far too accurate for comfort. Romney should be as far ahead of Obama as Abbott is of Gillard.
The most telling line IMHO was "I've been in business for 25 years and I have no idea what you are talking about"
There have several articles since the debate exposing the media created myth of the 44th President.I would wager good money that GWB has a higher IQ than Obama!!
I wonder if we will ever again have an American President and Australian PM who are both as incompentent and out of their depth at the same time as we do now. Lets hope not.