The First Presidential Debate
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-10-04/first-presidential-debate
The first presidential debate was held last night in Denver. Diane and her guests discuss what they said, who came out ahead, and where the candidates go from here.
Guests
E.J. Dionne Jr.
senior fellow, The Brookings Institution, columnist, Washington Post and author of "Our Divided Political Heart: The Battle for the American Idea in an Age of Discontent."
Ramesh Ponnuru
senior editor for the "National Review."
Susan Page
Washington bureau chief for USA Today.
Comments
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ConnieLighthill wrote:
"also what about governments intervention into women's right to choose, I live in Virginia and the proposals of government intervention are maddening."
I'd be interested to know more about those proposals, Connie. Would you be willing to share with us?
Why does Romney not disclose the details of his math numbers about his citizen paid tax plan? The only details I heard last night were of a tax rate decrease and a limit of deductions of $17,000. If the number $17000.00 is correct for deductions than I will pay more taxes under a Romney plan than I do now. That is my math calculated under all the info Romney has released.
There is always talk about the deficit. Congress has not made any hard choices. I agree with the balanced approach. Reagan and Clinton increased taxes to get to fight off a deficit. Why does Romney insist that he can cut the deficit without increasing revenue? Again thenRomney details do not add up.
Romney changes his plan like the wind- get a different audience in there and Romney will change the policy again. Wake up America Obama has stood by his plan and has released all the details for his plan on his website. Go fact searching.
I am 51 I am considered a baby boomer. However in the Ryan budget he has changed my generational classification under the retirement system without giving it a name. How can Romney / Ryan justify changing the historical baby boomer generation years this close to my retirement? Reagan changed the retirement age for me from 65 to 67. Now a Ryan retirement does that again and I am only 14-16 years from retirement. Another reason I do not trust the Romney/ Ryan political plan and will not vote them into the office.
Over the past 30 years I have watched politics- If there is a chance that republicans can run all three branches of government I have fears that I have lost my voice. I will vote for Obama and the democrats to avoid the above scenario. Our government works best for the people when it takes a balanced approach
Phil...wrong
Boy does Obama have people believing in something they think is the right thing but in the end is not. Supporting Obama means the government will start controlling more of your life. Is that what everyone really wants? A free ride? A YOU cannot control. A government who thinks for you? Hey that is easier....people can sue the Federal Government because the GOVERNMENT is responsible for the American Life and American Happiness?? Since when did the American people stop believing in the freedom of choice and the consequence of responsibility ?? It is truly sad when no one wants to do the hard work it takes to be responsible for all of your own actions and choices.
Ggochena wrote:
"Why does Romney not disclose the details of his math numbers about his citizen paid tax plan?...."
This is the biggest pile of mishmash I have seen here in a long time. Your mind is already made up so I have no hope of changing it, but when you say,
" The only details I heard last night were of a tax rate decrease and a limit of deductions of $17,000. If the number $17000.00 is correct for deductions than I will pay more taxes under a Romney plan than I do now. That is my math calculated under all the info Romney has released."
What you describe is what the left wants! For the rich to pay more! Capping deductions does that. Rich people take deductions, poor people don't! That's why you pay more! Reducing tax RATES is not the same as reducing TAXES. Get it?
"I am 51 I am considered a baby boomer. However in the Ryan budget he has changed my generational classification under the retirement system without giving it a name. … Another reason I do not trust the Romney/ Ryan political plan and will not vote them into the office."
You would prefer to do nothing. You are a protester in the streets of Greece. You don't care whether the programs are there for your kids or grandkids, you just want yours. If we do nothing, MC and SS go broke. And soon. The Obama plan unfairly takes from TODAY'S retirees and gives to the government to distribute back to them depending on how healthy they are (in the case of MC). The Ryan plan does not touch today's seniors or near seniors, but adjusts benefits down the road for people like you who still have time to plan for their futures and keep the system viable for everybody and keep choices in the hands of people, not of government. You can take a box of candy from the elderly, and eat the whole box yourself in one shot, which is what you want to do and leave nothing for anybody else, or you can take one piece and pass the box down to your kids and grandkids. Take your self-righteous pick.
kathleen wrote:
"Phil...wrong"
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To believe the reason for the President's poor performance was due to "illness" or "medication" is to avoid confronting the fact that Obama is just not adept at speaking extemporaneously. Also, he hasn't much practice dealing with situations where his record over the last four years has been challenged face to face by the media.
The best interview of President Obama was conducted by Univision anchors Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas at the University of Miami-Dade a few weeks ago. Obama figured it would be the usual soft ball questions, but was rattled by having to respond to grownup questions about his record.
@December: A simple question for you... most of those items you ticked off on your list are tied to entitlements funded by taxpayers like you and I. What you and Obama have not detailed is how you intend to continue to pay the ever increasing cost of these programs? I know that this was not your train of thought when you listed these items and that is the problem..... You and millions like you want, but I ask, at what price? At the price of borrowing from China 40 cents of every dollar that it takes to fund these things?
I feel like Mr. Romney was rude in that he refused to allow the moderator to do his job. I wonder how he would treat foreign leaders during a discussion. He seemed too interested in getting his flash points across and wasn't listening as well, unless he felt defensive. I felt though the President could have been more firm, that he did well on the debate, he was respectful and that's the attitude we need in the office to get the job done.
Also if Mr. Obama is holding a few face cards up his sleeve till the next one, I wouldn't necessarily agree that is the best choice... but as long as he takes them up at the very next debate, I think he will do well.
climatewiz1 wrote:
"....You and millions like you want, but I ask, at what price? At the price of borrowing from China 40 cents of every dollar that it takes to fund these things?"
Yes, and at the price of taxing the "rich" so that they pay their "fair share", everything they've got if that's what it takes, their just punishment for having been successful.
The attitude toward OPM in this country is so blatantly immoral I simply can't believe it.
Has anyone commented that Barack Obama looked ill? When I first saw him I thought he looked exhausted, but maybe he's just suffering from some (hopefully 24-hour) flu. Being President and MALE, he would not feel free to let anyone know he's not well, and it would be blown up by the right-wing media anyway into something worse, no doubt.
I concur. It was appalling to see Romney move so much to the center. I wonder what the Tea Party is thinking today...
President Obama appeared presidential. We do not need any more zingers...
Kim Cooke wrote:
"I feel like Mr. Romney was rude in that he refused to allow the moderator to do his job. I wonder how he would treat foreign leaders during a discussion. He seemed too interested in getting his flash points across and wasn't listening as well, unless he felt defensive. "
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So when President Obama didn't allow the moderator to do his job he was being Presidential, not rude? Jim Lehrer kept telling the President his time was up and he continued to speak for another 4 minutes.
You wonder how a President Romney would treat foreign leaders? Uh, he would actually meet face to face with them which is something the current President doesn't have time for.
Ren wrote:
"Has anyone commented that Barack Obama looked ill?"
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According to Al Gore, it was the Denver altitude that did in President Obama.
I'm not sure what your point was in writing this. The full tape was not available until now. That fact isn't why I'm leaving a comment. "Talks with a !!! Black !!! Accent"?
As a Black woman I find that (a) laughable and (b) stereotypically offensive. What is a Black accent? I know a southern accent. I know a Jersey accent. What's a Black accent because that sounds a little racist to me.
I also think people can make complaints about Barack Obama's 2007 taped remarks. They were divisive and they were completely against the person presented to America. Maybe that's who, in 2007, they thought they were going to run? And Barack Obama changed his approach after he reviewed the tape? If so, smart move. But it is not 'crazy' or 'surprising' that the man on that tape, who conflicts with the candidate most encountered in 2008, would be of news interest.
I'm also bothered by "Black Church!!!! With a Black pastor!!!" line. My husband and I do attend a Black church, we met through that church. To imply that Rev. Jeremiah Wright is normal in the Black church is a mistake and shows greater knowledge of Soul Man and other films than it does of Black churches. Hate, cursing and screaming are not the primary emotions I have encountered in the churches I have attended. And if a pastor simulated sex on stage -- as was done at Trinity with the thrusting of hips and vulgar comments -- that pastor would be out of a job. The Black churches I have attend -- including the one I'm a member of today -- are much more interested in stressing love. That's an important message and it will hopefully allow us to move forward as a people in recognizing that all love is valid and that this country needs marriage equality and needs it immediately. This should not be an issue for the states and addressed bit by bit, it's an issue that needs national leadership.
Ann Wilson wrote: "What is a Black accent? I know a southern accent. I know a Jersey accent. What's a Black accent because that sounds a little racist to me"
Ebonics (a blend of the words ebony and phonics) is a term that was originally intended to refer to the language of all people descended from enslaved Black Africans, particularly in West Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. Since the 1996 controversy over its use by the Oakland School Board, the term Ebonics has primarily been used to refer to African American Vernacular English (AAVE), a dialect distinctively different from Standard American English.
Ann Wilson wrote: "I'm also bothered by "Black Church!!!! With a Black pastor!!!" line. My husband and I do attend a Black church, we met through that church. To imply that Rev. Jeremiah Wright is normal in the Black church is a mistake and shows greater knowledge of Soul Man and other films than it does of Black churches. Hate, cursing and screaming are not the primary emotions I have encountered in the churches I have attended."
It does make you wonder what was so enticing to Barack Obama that he sat in the pews of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church for twenty years.
Has any of your guests discussed the visuals of the debate. I watched the debate on public tv and wondered if all the angles of the stage were the same for every network. There seemed to be much more face on of Romney and a poor view of Obama from the back leaning wearily on the podium - there were no such back or side views of Romney
Another topic I would appreciate hearing discussed is the mortgage deduction - can a person take a deduction for mortgages on several homes (how many?)and is there any limit on how much can be deducted - Millions? Would a fair approach be to allow one mortgage deduction only and /or limit the amount allowed per year.
Thank you.
Why is it everyone but the drshow today is talking about how Barak bombed so badly? I love how hostess and panel latched on to caller who suggested Barak was too busy saving mankind to adequately prepare. Now was that before or after he was appearing on The View and Letterman?
I'm disappointed in all the flack Mr Lehrer has taken today. He did the absolute right thing in letting the candidates actually debate. It was in the nation's best interest to see that without a teleprompter the emporer aint got no clothes on.
jim davis wrote:
"Why is it everyone but the drshow today is talking about how Barak bombed so badly?"
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Well, because it's The Dr Show and because Romney isn't going to fund Big Bird anymore. The way Romney is rebounding, Big Bird should be getting increasingly nervous as we get closer to Thanksgiving.
I'd like to relay a story to Diane.
I was baptized into the Episcopal Church by a friend of yours, Bishop Jane Dixon. While am no longer a practicing Episcopalian, I will always remember that day.
Now to the heart of the matter, a little observation and quip about the "debate" (it wasn't a debate.)
I listened to the pundit's opinions today on NPR about the "debate" and heard that some thought that Romney was sharp and Obama was flat. Musically, that means they were both off key; Romney with the truth; and Obama letting him get away with it!
Fred Menendez
Bowie, MD
There is one thing that really annoyed me throughout the show. Your guests, especially JR, kept saying that the debate was too hard for the "American People" to follow (for example, see the transcript of the show at 10:15 and 10:26). I am not an American, but I have been living here for the past four years. From what I see, the "American People" is smarter and more politically savvy than what your guests expect them to be.
Furthermore, if the people were not smart enough to understand the details that affect their lives, e.g. tax rates, healthcare coverage, social security, or programs like Medicare for the elderly, perhaps they shouldn't be trusted to vote and democracy would not be the best form of government. Why not allow your guests to run a self-absorbed, smug, autocracy?
As I said, I truly believe that the American people is definitely smart enough to grasp all the details, and not only do the candidates think so too, I hope they will go into more details in the future. I loved the way President Clinton analyzed the details at the Democratic convention, and I wish the debates would go down to this level of detail in the future, from both sides. And you know what? The people can take it! The people expect it!
Phredmen62 wrote:
"I listened to the pundit's opinions today on NPR about the "debate" and heard that some thought that Romney was sharp and Obama was flat. Musically, that means they were both off key; Romney with the truth; and Obama letting him get away with it!"
Fred Menendez
Bowie, MD
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Your comprehension of melodies reveals you to be tone deaf. President Obama had no reply to Romney pointing out that Obama wasted 90 billion tax payer dollars on his crony green energy pals failed businesses. The sour notes you hear are the liberals whining about how unfair it was for Romney to actually prepare for a debate.
Judging from the large number of conservatives "bussed" in to the DRS today its pretty clear they're trying to convince themselves that this debate will be enough to win the election. Delusional.
My takeaways from the debate:
Romney drove up his negatives with everyone who isn't conservative
You will lose your mortgage deduction if he becomes president; that's why he won't give us the details
No one- not liberals or conservatives- has a clue what this man really believes
If you think he's rude and lacking compassion now, just wait till he doesn't have to care what you think
He's just fine with cheating you out of your SS and MC- I hope you conservatives don't plan on seeing yours.
I watched the debate and listened to your guests. Is EJ an apologist for the Democrats? I had checked out of the campaign because of the ad campaigns but this was an interesting debate. So little focus on their issues and so much energy around marginalizing Romney's performance and excusing Obama's poor performance. At about 26 minutes into your show a caller asks - why so much on style and so little on the comments.
I read all of the fact checkers and there are gaps on both sides. EJ was relentless and Diane, I'm disappointed that you did not call him on providing his facts instead of just saying Romney was giving false information.
@ Jim Gamble:
You feeling ok Jimbo? Sounds like maybe a case of sour grapes or perhaps its "Obama" flu? Consider this:
"What a man believes upon grossly insufficient evidence is an index into his desires -- desires of which he himself is often unconscious. If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way."
Bertrand Russell
The problem with your statement about Romney, Jim is that as for now, in the public eye, Romney is an unverified quantity. President Obama HAS shown thru his actions, his total disregard for 53% of the nation, and the nation is judging him now for that. By sidestepping congress and telling Republicans to go to the back of the bus in 2010, he set the stage early on for non-cooperation and ultimate failure. He then proceeded to blame the problems he created on partisan politics. Moral of the story is Jim.... be careful what you ask for... you just may get it. After requesting Republicans go to the back of the bus.... that's what he got. He then proceeded to drive the bus into the intersection of international chaos and domestic unrest, run it out of gas and left it sitting in said intersection with all of the passengers still aboard. It's time for him to give up the keys and be grounded...
Morning Cli,
I'm feeling great, and thanks for asking. I'm also enjoying the comments, particularly yours. I've seen you post that Bertrand Russell quote a couple of times now; its one of my favorites because it fits conservatives so well, and they don't seem to know it.
By the way, did you see where the unemployment rate dropped to 7.8%? In spite of everything the Republicans have done to prevent a recovery, President Obama's policies have worked and his reelection is virtually assured! Have a nice day, Cli.
@Jim Gamble: Yes I saw the job stats (see my other post) Look closely at the stats Jim. The job "growth" came in the public (government) sector and not in the private sector. I'm not knocking the people who got these jobs... God bless them for getting a job... but government growth is not real financial growth for our country. I know we differ diametrically on this. When I see private sector growth, that FUNDS government growth then I will be impressed. Until then we just have more of the same SIMULATED growth. Looks good in the headlines...for now... and I noticed NPR's spot did not differentiate on where the actual growth came from either.
Jim Gamble wrote:
"Judging from the large number of conservatives "bussed" in to the DRS today its pretty clear they're trying to convince themselves that this debate will be enough to win the election."
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The only way to get conservative opinions into The DR Show is forced "busing?" OK
Hey Cli,
Much as I would prefer the same kind of jobs you would, I think the shedding of govt. jobs from 2010 forward has exacerbated the problem and I hope this signals the end of that trend. But the big picture effect here means the details will probably be lost on most people. The drop below 8% is psychologically more important than the number itself. Its important to remember that these things tend to be self reinforcing and can cause a positive feedback loop, or snowball effect. At least, the optimist in me is winning the argument and for the sake of my fellow Americans who are still looking for work, let's all hope that is correct.