Second presidential debate

[Rapscallion]

OK folks, can't see a thread on this. Opinions?

Anyone had viewpoints changed as a result?

Rapscallion

[fireheart17]

Apparently Romney said something about "binders full of women". Does anyone have a link to that? (caught maybe 5 seconds of the debate via Sunrise)

[Andara Bledin]

Article about the binders of women comment at CNN

I didn't watch the debates; I usually don't. By the time they roll around, I'm so utterly sick of the entire race that I just want it to be over.

Regardless, many are pointing to the way he phrased the binders comment as an indication of how he thinks about women in general. Nevermind that the little story was a gross misrepresentation of events as well.

^-.-^

[bex1218]

I miss em because of work. I catch highlights from both my aunt and my girlfriend posting stuff (complete opposites). I'm still for Obama. Nothing Romney can say would change my mind.

[HYHYBT]

Even if the binder thing were a fair representation of what happened, "I've hired women" is dodging, not answering, a question about a law requiring equal pay.

[Dreamstalker]

I thought that while it may have seemed to some as if Obama was dodging questions, there were substantive answers in there. Romney just danced around them completely it seems. He also struck me as desperate, especially the way he was interrupting and bringing up what seemed to be a lot of non sequiturs (Mom thought he was like a toddler vying for anybody's attention), and relying on personal attacks because he didn't really have anything of substance.

The equal pay issue is largely a private-sector problem; the government (as far as I'm aware) is forbidden from paying men and women differently.

[Greenday]

I pointed out to a few of my friends who are planning on voting for Romney to watch him and how he will say he has plans, but won't give details for any of those plans. Romney did not disappoint me. For instance, he said he has a five point plan for fixing the economy...*cricket*...That's it. Didn't mention what any of those points are.

I like how he said that if we elect Obama, we know what we are going to get. That's great, I want to know what I'm going to get if I vote for someone. Since Romney refuses to say what he's really going to do and he constantly flip flops on issues, I have literally no idea what to expect from him.

Obama seemed to reach on a lot of subjects too, but at least he used details to back up his arguments which I liked. Neither really impressed me, but Romney fell completely flat.

[Rapscallion]

I'm not sure either candidate had the chance to bring up much in the way of substantial detail given that they are vying for a four-year-term in roughly forty-five minutes. However, after watching it I have to admit that Romney did a bit better than I expected, but still weaseled out of giving answers. Obama didn't do as well as I expected, but I think he was a more convincing candidate.

Sure, I'm in the UK, but from what I've seen Obama is by far and away the least worst candidate. I'm more concerned because when the US sneezes, we in the UK catch a cold. Our politicians are usually hanging onto the coat tails of yours and sending our military into foreign climes at a moment's notice. Our economy isn't insulated from yours.

Rapscallion

[mikoyan29]

The debates really don't matter for me this year. Romney lost my vote in 2008 when he basically told the Detroit Auto Industry to Fuck Off and Die. Now I realize that is not quite what he said but that is what would have happened. He was saying something about a managed bankruptcy without the Government's involvement. The problem is that credit was very tight and GM probably would have had a hard time securing financing to go through a managed bankruptcy which would mean that a Chapter 11 would probably turn into a Chapter 7 and Romney's vulture buddies would have the gold prize of companies to use for leveraged buyouts.

That being said, the auto industry could have probably weathered a Chrysler bankruptcy but not both companies and that's what would have happened. Given the fact that there is so much interlap between the Big Three suppliers and some of those were teetering on a jagged edge that would have put Ford in a tight spot which probably would have sent it to the Chapter 11 line. Who knows what would have happened then.

Now then, I would say Romney was being anti-Government bailout if he hadn't said the bailout of the banks was a good idea. But he didn't, so he basically told what side of the fence he stands on.

As for his 5 Point Plan, I have a feeling it is very similar to the 5 Point Plan that got us into the 2008 recession.....

[lordlundar]

From what I heard (I didn't watch it myself) All Romney did was dance around the questions, never properly answered one and argued with the moderator who was constantly telling him to shut up. Unlike the last one Obama was ready for the tactics Romney was using and was very aggressive this time.

[Duelist925]

I watched it. My thoughts:

Obama was on his game this time. He didn't put up with Romney's shenanigans nearly as much, flat out calling him out on a few things. Especially when he shut Romneys wannabe "gotcha" moment about calling the attack on the embassy in Libya an "Act of Terror".


Romney was way off his game. Stuttering, stammering, seemed far too hyped up--like others have said, he was like a hyperactive toddler who wanted anyones attention. He didn't answer a single question, becoming, instead, Lord of the Dance to get around them, when he wasn't offending people. And oh god, some of the comments made about women...

Obama, while stretching a bit, tended to have solid points backing his arguments.

If I remember correctly, Romney was rated as having told roughly 31 lies in 41 minutes. Obama told one flat out lie, and a few half truths.

[Andara Bledin]

If I remember correctly, Romney was rated as having told roughly 31 lies in 41 minutes. Obama told one flat out lie, and a few half truths.

And yet, some people still think Romney is the better man for the job.

I want to know how they can possibly tell?

^-.-^

[Rageaholic]

Wow Romney's a real class act.

[guywithashovel]

Well, if recent polls are to be believed (I just started a thread on that), we may be putting up with Romney starting January 20, 2013. Joy.

[HYHYBT]

And yet, some people still think Romney is the better man for the job.

I want to know how they can possibly tell?

^-.-^

Well, there's a variation on the ever-popular confirmation bias: he's said so many different and contrary things that it would be easy for those so inclined to believe the versions they like and ignore the others. Especially if they already hate Obama and believe absolutely ANYBODY else would be better.