The Hero
الأســــــــــــــطورة
- إنضم
- Jun 29, 2008
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- في ضحكة عيون حبيبي
Mitt Romney came out swinging as he came face to face with Barack Obama for the first time
Accused President of misleading references to '$5trillion tax cut' and compared him to his children
Attacked Obama for doubling deficit after promising to halve it
Both accused each other of damaging cuts to healthcare and education
Challenger sparks internet memes by saying 'I love Big Bird' but promising to slash funding for PBS
CNN poll shows overwhelming victory for Romney as voters say Republican is better leader than President
Obama camp admits defeat as top liberals blast President's poor performance
Accused President of misleading references to '$5trillion tax cut' and compared him to his children
Attacked Obama for doubling deficit after promising to halve it
Both accused each other of damaging cuts to healthcare and education
Challenger sparks internet memes by saying 'I love Big Bird' but promising to slash funding for PBS
CNN poll shows overwhelming victory for Romney as voters say Republican is better leader than President
Obama camp admits defeat as top liberals blast President's poor performance
Mitt Romney went for the jugular in the first presidential debate tonight, overwhelming a lacklustre President Barack Obama with a relentlessly forceful performance that could give a significant boost to his White House hopes.
Trailing by several points in the polls, the Republican challenger needed to put in a strong performance in the first presidential debate in Denver. He more than rose to the occasion with even some of Obamas most dedicated supporters declaring him the clear winner.
From the outset, Mr Romney chided Mr Obama for promising to halve Americas annual deficit but instead doubling it and even compared him to a little boy who cant tell the truth.
Scroll down for video
Feeling good: A confident Mitt Romney pictured with his wife, son and grandson after the debate
Consolation: The Obamas embrace at the end of the evening at Wednesday's debate in Denver
[h=3]THE BEST ZINGERS IN FULL[/h]ROMNEY:
On Obama's claims he'll cut $5trillion in taxes: 'Look, I've got five boys, and I'm used to someone saying something that's not true and keep repeating it.'
On financial reform: 'Dodd-Frank identified some banks as too big to fail. This is the biggest kiss to banks I've ever seen.'
On the middle class: 'Middle-income Americans have seen their income come down by $4,300. This is a tax in and of itself. Ill call it the economy tax. Its been crushing.'
On Obama's de******************************************************ion of his education plans: 'Mr President, you're entitled to your own airplane and your own house, but not your own facts.'
On why he should win: 'The status quo is not going to cut it.'
On cutting funding to PBS: 'Im sorry, Jim, Im going to stop the subsidy to PBS. Im going to stop other things. I like PBS, I love Big Bird. Actually I like you, too. But Im not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for.'
On tax breaks for sending jobs offshore: 'Ive been in business for 25 years. I have no idea what youre talking about. Maybe I need to get a new accountant, but the idea you get a break for shipping jobs overseas, is simply not the case.'
On government spending: 'Spain spends 42 percent of their total economy on government. Were now spending 42 percent of our economy on government. I dont want to go down the path to Spain.'
OBAMA:
On Romney's tax reforms: 'For 18 months hes been running on this tax plan. And now five weeks before the election, he saying that his big, bold idea is - nevermind.'
On healthcare: 'I have become fond of the term Obamacare.'
On tax loopholes: 'My attitude is that if youve got a corporate jet you can probably afford to pay full freight for it.'
On small businesses: 'Under Governor Romneys definition, there are a whole bunch of millionaires and billionaires who are small business. Donald Trump is small business. And I know Donald trump doesnt like to think of himself as small anything.'
On Romney's vague healthcare plans: 'At some point the American people have to ask themselves: Is the reason Governor Romney is keeping all these plans secret, is it because they're going to be too good? Because middle class families benefit too much? No.'
On his own record: 'Four years ago, I said that Im not a perfect man and I wouldnt be a perfect president. And thats probably a promise that Governor Romney thinks Ive kept.'
On Michelle: 'Happy anniversary, sweetie!'
Look, Ive got five boys,' he said. 'Im used to people saying something thats not always true, but just keep on repeating it and ultimately hoping Ill believe it.
Hitting Mr Obama with a blizzard of statistics, Mr Romney also hit back hard at what he saw as the President mischaracterising his plans: Virtually everything he just said about my tax plan is inaccurate.'
Mr Romney was at the top of his game from the outset, coming across as pithier and punchier than Mr Obama, who seemed taken aback by being confronted so relentlessly and struggled to speak concisely.
The challenger's dominance came despite his having four minutes less talking time than the incumbent - Mr Romney spoke for 38 minutes and 32 seconds, while Mr Obama held the spotlight for 42 minutes and 50 seconds.
A CNN poll of registered voters who watched the debate reflected Mr Romney's perceived victory, as 67 per cent of respondents regarded him as the night's winner compared to just 25 per cent for Mr Obama.
Additionally, 58 per cent thought that the Republican came across as a stronger leader than the Democrat, while twice as many said the evening had made them more likely to vote for Mr Romney as said they were swayed towards the President.
At the start, Mr Obama tried to make the debate about the next four years rather than his four years in office, saying: The question here tonight is not where we've been but where we're going.
But Mr Romney pummelled him repeatedly on the state of the economy. The people who are having the hard time right now are middle-income Americans. Under the presidents policies, middle-income Americans have been buried, he said.
Theyre just being crushed. Middle-income Americans have seen their income come down by $4,300. This is a - this is a tax in and of itself. Ill call it the economy tax. Its been crushing.
At the same time, gasoline prices have doubled under the president. Electric rates are up. Food prices are up. Health care costs have gone up by $2,500 a family. Middle-income families are being crushed.
He added: The President said that hed cut the deficit in half. Unfortunately, he doubled it.'
Mr Obama spent much of the debate looking down at his notes and pursing his lips as Mr Romney spoke. He also appeared hesitant at time and his occasional attempts at humour fell flat.
While Mr Romney maintained his aggressive stance throughout, Mr Obama was surprisingly gentle on his opponent, failing to mention common attack lines on subjects such as Bain Capital outsourcing, the notorious '47 per cent' video and the supposed Republican war on women.
This is bigger than an election about the two of us as individuals. Its bigger than our respective parties. Its an election about the course of America.
[h=4]More...[/h]
TAXATION - IS ROMNEY PROMISING A $5TRILLION TAX CUT?
Mr Obama accused Mr Romney of planning a $5trillion tax cut which would go mostly to the rich, but the former governor of Massachusetts denied this, saying he would not enact any tax cut which would add to the deficit and characterising his plans as 'tax relief for the middle class'.
The President criticised his rival for ruling out even $1 of tax rises to accompany $10 of spending cuts, but Mr Romney claimed he could raise extra revenue by boosting the economy as a whole. 'The revenue I get is by more people working, and earning higher pay, and paying more taxes,' he said.
Mr Obama also called for cuts in business allowances such as tax breaks for corporate airplanes, saying: 'My attitude is that if you've got a corporate jet you can probably afford to pay full freight for it.'
THE DEFICIT - REDUCE DEBT BY SLASHING GOVERNMENT?
In one of the most substantive presidential debates of modern times, the two clashed from the start over the role of government in the economy.
While the President described Mr Romney's plans as 'top-down economics' which would benefit the wealthy, the former Massachusetts governor shot back that Mr Obama's economic agenda had primarily consisted of 'trickle-down government'.
Mr Obama tried to appear tough on cutting the federal deficit and paying down the national debt but Mr Romney responded that Mr Obama was clearly 'not getting the job done', adding: You've been President for four years!'
Mr Romney blasted Mr Obama for not accepting the conclusions of the Simpsons-Bowles commission on the deficit, which had been set up by the White House, and said that he should have pushed harder for Congress to fine-tune the bill. 'The President said hed cut the deficit in half. Unfortunately, he doubled it.' He added that the debt being passed on to future generations was 'simply not moral'.
Another line of attack from Mr Romney was comparing the American economy to that of the struggling eurozone. He said: 'Spain spends 42 per cent of their total economy on government. Were now spending 42 per cent of our economy on government. I dont want to go down the path to Spain.'
Getting along? The two candidates appeared warm towards each other despite their fierce rivalry
Attack and defence: Mr Romney was dominant as his aggressive stance left the President on the back foot
Clashing: The first debate was focussed on domestic policy, especially the economy
Mr Romney, a long-standing critic of the Dodd-Frank Act on financial reform, one of Mr Obama's signature pieces of legislation, attacked the provisions naming five enormous banks as 'too big to fail', saying that provision was 'the biggest kiss that's been given to New York banks' and would hurt smaller institutions.
While conceding that proper regulation was integral to a functioning economy, Mr Romney said that Dodd-Frank had 'unintended consequences' by loading on red tape which made it harder for small financial firms to operate successfully.
But Mr Obama repeatedly insisted that the legislation would prevent a repeat of the 2008 crash, saying: 'Does anybody out there think that the big problem we had is that there was too much oversight and regulation of Wall Street?'
A picture tells a thousand words: Mr Romney appeared delighted with his performance at the end of the evening
Well done, darling: Both candidates are embraced by their wives at the end of the debate as Jim Lehrer looks on
No hard feelings? The Obamas and the Romneys gather on stage for a lighthearted moment
Trailing by several points in the polls, the Republican challenger needed to put in a strong performance in the first presidential debate in Denver. He more than rose to the occasion with even some of Obamas most dedicated supporters declaring him the clear winner.
From the outset, Mr Romney chided Mr Obama for promising to halve Americas annual deficit but instead doubling it and even compared him to a little boy who cant tell the truth.
Scroll down for video
[h=3]THE BEST ZINGERS IN FULL[/h]ROMNEY:
On Obama's claims he'll cut $5trillion in taxes: 'Look, I've got five boys, and I'm used to someone saying something that's not true and keep repeating it.'
On financial reform: 'Dodd-Frank identified some banks as too big to fail. This is the biggest kiss to banks I've ever seen.'
On the middle class: 'Middle-income Americans have seen their income come down by $4,300. This is a tax in and of itself. Ill call it the economy tax. Its been crushing.'
On Obama's de******************************************************ion of his education plans: 'Mr President, you're entitled to your own airplane and your own house, but not your own facts.'
On why he should win: 'The status quo is not going to cut it.'
On cutting funding to PBS: 'Im sorry, Jim, Im going to stop the subsidy to PBS. Im going to stop other things. I like PBS, I love Big Bird. Actually I like you, too. But Im not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for.'
On tax breaks for sending jobs offshore: 'Ive been in business for 25 years. I have no idea what youre talking about. Maybe I need to get a new accountant, but the idea you get a break for shipping jobs overseas, is simply not the case.'
On government spending: 'Spain spends 42 percent of their total economy on government. Were now spending 42 percent of our economy on government. I dont want to go down the path to Spain.'
OBAMA:
On Romney's tax reforms: 'For 18 months hes been running on this tax plan. And now five weeks before the election, he saying that his big, bold idea is - nevermind.'
On healthcare: 'I have become fond of the term Obamacare.'
On tax loopholes: 'My attitude is that if youve got a corporate jet you can probably afford to pay full freight for it.'
On small businesses: 'Under Governor Romneys definition, there are a whole bunch of millionaires and billionaires who are small business. Donald Trump is small business. And I know Donald trump doesnt like to think of himself as small anything.'
On Romney's vague healthcare plans: 'At some point the American people have to ask themselves: Is the reason Governor Romney is keeping all these plans secret, is it because they're going to be too good? Because middle class families benefit too much? No.'
On his own record: 'Four years ago, I said that Im not a perfect man and I wouldnt be a perfect president. And thats probably a promise that Governor Romney thinks Ive kept.'
On Michelle: 'Happy anniversary, sweetie!'
Look, Ive got five boys,' he said. 'Im used to people saying something thats not always true, but just keep on repeating it and ultimately hoping Ill believe it.
Hitting Mr Obama with a blizzard of statistics, Mr Romney also hit back hard at what he saw as the President mischaracterising his plans: Virtually everything he just said about my tax plan is inaccurate.'
Mr Romney was at the top of his game from the outset, coming across as pithier and punchier than Mr Obama, who seemed taken aback by being confronted so relentlessly and struggled to speak concisely.
The challenger's dominance came despite his having four minutes less talking time than the incumbent - Mr Romney spoke for 38 minutes and 32 seconds, while Mr Obama held the spotlight for 42 minutes and 50 seconds.
A CNN poll of registered voters who watched the debate reflected Mr Romney's perceived victory, as 67 per cent of respondents regarded him as the night's winner compared to just 25 per cent for Mr Obama.
Additionally, 58 per cent thought that the Republican came across as a stronger leader than the Democrat, while twice as many said the evening had made them more likely to vote for Mr Romney as said they were swayed towards the President.
At the start, Mr Obama tried to make the debate about the next four years rather than his four years in office, saying: The question here tonight is not where we've been but where we're going.
But Mr Romney pummelled him repeatedly on the state of the economy. The people who are having the hard time right now are middle-income Americans. Under the presidents policies, middle-income Americans have been buried, he said.
Theyre just being crushed. Middle-income Americans have seen their income come down by $4,300. This is a - this is a tax in and of itself. Ill call it the economy tax. Its been crushing.
At the same time, gasoline prices have doubled under the president. Electric rates are up. Food prices are up. Health care costs have gone up by $2,500 a family. Middle-income families are being crushed.
He added: The President said that hed cut the deficit in half. Unfortunately, he doubled it.'
Mr Obama spent much of the debate looking down at his notes and pursing his lips as Mr Romney spoke. He also appeared hesitant at time and his occasional attempts at humour fell flat.
While Mr Romney maintained his aggressive stance throughout, Mr Obama was surprisingly gentle on his opponent, failing to mention common attack lines on subjects such as Bain Capital outsourcing, the notorious '47 per cent' video and the supposed Republican war on women.
This is bigger than an election about the two of us as individuals. Its bigger than our respective parties. Its an election about the course of America.
[h=4]More...[/h]
- Awkward! First ladies embrace as Barack thanks 'sweetie' Michelle on 20th wedding anniversary in opening debate remarks
- Was Big Bird the debate's biggest winner? Romney's Sesame Street reference makes for instant meme
- Round one to Romney as voters swing towards GOP candidate following feisty debate performance
- Where was Jim Lehrer? Debate moderator criticised for letting Obama and Romney roll over him during primetime clash
- Wrong election result? Just leave the country as JetBlue offers free flights to voters who end up on the losing side
- How 'Walmart moms' could decide the election: Candidates trying to sway undecided voters who tend to shop at the budget superstore
TAXATION - IS ROMNEY PROMISING A $5TRILLION TAX CUT?
Mr Obama accused Mr Romney of planning a $5trillion tax cut which would go mostly to the rich, but the former governor of Massachusetts denied this, saying he would not enact any tax cut which would add to the deficit and characterising his plans as 'tax relief for the middle class'.
The President criticised his rival for ruling out even $1 of tax rises to accompany $10 of spending cuts, but Mr Romney claimed he could raise extra revenue by boosting the economy as a whole. 'The revenue I get is by more people working, and earning higher pay, and paying more taxes,' he said.
Mr Obama also called for cuts in business allowances such as tax breaks for corporate airplanes, saying: 'My attitude is that if you've got a corporate jet you can probably afford to pay full freight for it.'
THE DEFICIT - REDUCE DEBT BY SLASHING GOVERNMENT?
In one of the most substantive presidential debates of modern times, the two clashed from the start over the role of government in the economy.
While the President described Mr Romney's plans as 'top-down economics' which would benefit the wealthy, the former Massachusetts governor shot back that Mr Obama's economic agenda had primarily consisted of 'trickle-down government'.
Mr Obama tried to appear tough on cutting the federal deficit and paying down the national debt but Mr Romney responded that Mr Obama was clearly 'not getting the job done', adding: You've been President for four years!'
Mr Romney blasted Mr Obama for not accepting the conclusions of the Simpsons-Bowles commission on the deficit, which had been set up by the White House, and said that he should have pushed harder for Congress to fine-tune the bill. 'The President said hed cut the deficit in half. Unfortunately, he doubled it.' He added that the debt being passed on to future generations was 'simply not moral'.
Another line of attack from Mr Romney was comparing the American economy to that of the struggling eurozone. He said: 'Spain spends 42 per cent of their total economy on government. Were now spending 42 per cent of our economy on government. I dont want to go down the path to Spain.'
Getting along? The two candidates appeared warm towards each other despite their fierce rivalry
Attack and defence: Mr Romney was dominant as his aggressive stance left the President on the back foot
Mr Romney, a long-standing critic of the Dodd-Frank Act on financial reform, one of Mr Obama's signature pieces of legislation, attacked the provisions naming five enormous banks as 'too big to fail', saying that provision was 'the biggest kiss that's been given to New York banks' and would hurt smaller institutions.
While conceding that proper regulation was integral to a functioning economy, Mr Romney said that Dodd-Frank had 'unintended consequences' by loading on red tape which made it harder for small financial firms to operate successfully.
But Mr Obama repeatedly insisted that the legislation would prevent a repeat of the 2008 crash, saying: 'Does anybody out there think that the big problem we had is that there was too much oversight and regulation of Wall Street?'