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EDITOR: The debate was not a good one for President Obama. As several reporters have already noted, the moderator Jim Lehrer, the quintessential “politically correct” man, lost control of the debate early on, letting Romney bully him into making up his own time limits and subject matters. “Gentleman Jim” Lehrer is the wrong person to moderate a debate that puts a premium on verbal bullying.
However, blaming the referee may make sense in the NFL, but in this case, President Obama has to share the blame for letting Romney be both moderator and antagonist. It was obvious that Romney was making up numbers and “facts” as he went along. By my count, he repeated 17 times: “President Obama cut $716 billion from Medicare payments.”
Hundreds of independent fact checkers have given the lie to this claim. Yet, not once did the president call Romney on this falsehood. To support his positions, Romney kept citing “economists,” “studies” and other vague references of no value unless they’re specifically identified and the audience can assess them for independence.
Romney and his advisers took Mark Twain’s advice to heart: “A lie goes around the world twice before the truth puts its shoes on.” Called out on several Romney and Ryan whoppers, Romney’s campaign manager told the press: “We’re not going to let facts run this campaign.” Mitt Romney certainly proved it last night.
If one cares to look at Romney’s political life. It has been a series of “now you see it, now you don’t” positions; he has taken every stand possible on energy, health care, defense, women’s choice, gay and lesbian rights. Name the issue and Romney has been on all sides of it. As I wrote in an earlier letter to the editor, Romney has more political positions than the Kama Sutra has sexual ones.
After four years, it’s time for President Obama to come to grips with a GOP that will do anything, say anything, stop at nothing, to defeat him. The proof: Fox and other right wing outlets are now engaged on a subtle racist campaign about Obama’s “blackness,” how he has changed his accent, his mannerisms, etc.— barely veiled racism aimed at an audience looking for an excuse — any excuse — to vote against a black man. Obama won’t win debates by fighting a bully with Marquess of Queensberry Rules. Next debate, I hope he attacks relentlessly and mercilessly. Since the GOP long ago decided that “anything goes,” including Obama’s race, then Romney’s cult-like religion ought to be part of the discussion as well.
JOHN GARON
Placerville
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
Karen WoodrellOctober 04, 2012 - 2:34 pm
See folks? This, right here, is why we're in this mess. Vote Mitt.
Phillip VeerkampOctober 04, 2012 - 3:13 pm
John, you forgot to add in Al Gore's explanation for the outcome – According to Mr. Gore Obama failed to acclimate himself to Denver's mile high altitude - (Mr. Gore ACTUALLY said this - really - thank you Florida)
James E.October 04, 2012 - 3:53 pm
Mr. Garon, I believe the strategy was for the President to rope-a-dope, allowing Mitt to expend his energy with his flip flopping misrepresentations (with any aggression by the President being viewed as the "angry black man who cannot control his anger"). Nevertheless, in the next debate I'm willing for the president to begin the debate with a chop to the throat and end it with a headlock. Please do not try the throat chop at home -- a gentle one will put your opponent down, but a hard one can kill. We wouldn't want that.
James E.October 04, 2012 - 4:07 pm
ADDED: Forget the politics, Mitt made a fatal mistake last night. Right out of the box, he said he wants to fire Big Bird. Mothers and children of the world unite -- Mitt is going down!
DB SmithOctober 04, 2012 - 4:26 pm
Didn't take long for you Garon to get back to the old racism accusations because that's all you have and you James E. spouting angry black man and killing? You two really need to start getting control of yourselves. I've told you before that the race card will not work this time. You have worn the race thing out. Obummer had his chance (actually 4+ minutes more than Mitt and the Obummer failed miserably. He failed not because he is black but because he is in way over his head without a clue what to do. Suck it up losers! Hey boys ~ don't miss the VP debate on the 11th. It will be one smart white guy against one old angry stupid white guy. Hopefully no ropadopin. Mitt=1 and Mutt=0 Have a nice evening.
James E.October 04, 2012 - 4:43 pm
Mr. Smith, see us after the election. And, I didn't say the president should kill Mitt, just a gentle throat chop to get his attention. Followed by a head lock at the end to remind Mitt who is president. Mr. Smith, are you an angry old codger, or an angry young Tea/Republican? If you are old, let us know and we will give you some slack.
Phillip VeerkampOctober 04, 2012 - 4:53 pm
On the theory that if a politician’s lips are moving he’s lying - Obama lied four and a half minutes more than Romney lied - LINK
drought alertOctober 04, 2012 - 5:04 pm
Not carrying a water can for either candidate - they're both awful - please clear up what "color" Romney is. Just needing to know where my racist proclivity should be attributed.
DB SmithOctober 04, 2012 - 5:07 pm
James E.. Respectfully Sir, I really don't want to see you at anytime. You and your kind are a threat to my family, friends and country. Regarding your gentle throat chop and a headlock, that sounds pretty violent to me for a debate. But if Obummer did try that I think Mitt, in self defense, would just put a reversal on him and give him a good old fashion ass whooping. Possibly even a rear naked choke hold on his pencil neck. It would be over in a flash, just like the Fed Budget. What is old? I'm just a happy Independent that doesn't need any slack. For real!
pacifistOctober 04, 2012 - 6:35 pm
DB et al: Don't be shocked by James E.'s violent Freudian slip. He's wrought more death, pain and suffering on humanity than all the readers combined. As to Garon, just biz as usual (yawn).
James E.October 04, 2012 - 9:07 pm
Test.
James E.October 04, 2012 - 9:12 pm
Mr. or Ms. Pacifist, are you surprised that soldiers know hand to hand combat skills? Do you suppose soldiers (Marines) are just ball room dancers and perfumed princes? And, do you really think the president would cross the stage and assault Mitt? Really? And, get up to date on Freud. He is discounted today. Nevertheless, thank you for your endorsement should I ever run for office.
James E.October 04, 2012 - 9:21 pm
Mr. Smith, I don't know -- a reversal and a rear naked choke hold? You complain and then have Mitt choking the president and giving him a butt whipping? Gosh, that seems very violent on your part. Mr. or Ms. Pacifist will not think well of you and you probably don't even have the mitigation of military training. And, where did you get the idea I wanted to meet you? Not the case. John Garon has been around the block a couple of times. When you convince me you've been around the block a couple of times, I'll stop giving you slack.
DB SmithOctober 05, 2012 - 7:53 am
James E.. You may have noted that I wrote in self-defense and it wasn't a butt whipping it was an ass whooping. You said "see us after the election" did you not? spin ))) spin )))
James E.October 05, 2012 - 9:22 am
Mr. Smith, I changed it to butt because I thought the Mt.Democrat might block my comment if I used your term "ass" whooping. Yes, your comment was in reply, but nevertheless the same violent you decried in mine. OK, only a month to the election -- see you then.
Paul TribeOctober 08, 2012 - 12:43 am
Poor, poor tea nuts. They get a tiny glimmer of hope in the debates. Yes, Mittens wiped the floor with Obama. How unfortunate that it won't affect the election one bit. The slack jawed yokels will have to live with an African American leader for 4 more years... and then they get Hilary.
cookie65October 08, 2012 - 5:31 am
anyone else notice how obama's entire term has been one endless excuse? With some worn out lefist accusations directed at anyone who dares to question just how incompetent he is. As far a Mr. Garon and his letter, he demonstrates what it looks like to have the leftist media do all your thinking for you.
cookie65October 08, 2012 - 5:36 am
I do love the "Fox" excuse and the racism. It is how leftist react to having a couple of drops of pseudo conservatism exist in an ocean of liberalism. Fox is the reason for obama and his marxist ideology being a total failure. For some history began the day they were born.
MartinOctober 08, 2012 - 10:09 am
The tea nuts are about to tighten the nuts on the left, hopefully Obama will be something that our grand-kids can joke about. Looking good and feeling even better, bye to sustainability and hi to job creation. Good bye to special interest and hello freedom. It is looking like just may be that we will be able to put to bed socialism for a bout of freedom. Being optimistic is a good thing; it’s like having a shot of adrenaline.
Martin is a loonOctober 08, 2012 - 11:20 am
Enjoy the rush. You have one more month before your dream world once again implodes on you. Poor sucker.
CatherineOctober 08, 2012 - 11:25 am
Good to see everyone feeling frisky over the upcoming horse race! Clearly, neither candidate does anything without a well-rehearsed strategy. Romney's performance was as close as he could get to Reagan. Obama's strategy was not so clear(!) but we know that historically, Obama has focused on the Electoral College. Either he thinks it's in the bag, or he thinks the debates won't sway that vote.
Lady VOctober 08, 2012 - 12:17 pm
Mr. Garon....I like how you think. Just recently traveled to Europe and was embarrassed about being an American. They joke about "how we show no respect to our president". Like it or not....Barack Obama is OUR President of our United States. And, he is here to stay. We should delete the "United" before states....because there really seems to be nothing UNITED about this country anymore. Republicans can't even agree on the color of s***!
DB SmithOctober 08, 2012 - 5:09 pm
Catherine. Well rehearsed strategy? Huh??? If Obama thinks it's in the bag or it doesn't matter then he shouldn't even have to show up. We could all see the empty chair again. You're a funny girl. Are you feeling frisky?
MartinOctober 08, 2012 - 5:44 pm
Here to stay?? Doubtful; The reason foreigners think that America is screwed up is because we have a president that is so pompous and self serving; he couldn’t unite contact cement little alone people. This man is good for is putting everyone on welfare and socializing a once great nation.
West End CynicOctober 08, 2012 - 6:30 pm
Liberalism is a mental disorder. And the left is desperate- while their people lie hourly, there is no evidence that Romney has lied about a thing. Same thing about GW Bush. Pathetic losers.
MctalkingptOctober 08, 2012 - 11:24 pm
My my my! What a bunch of cry babies! I guess it finally sunk in that Willard the empty suit is truly a goner. Listen to all those ditto heads explode.
NancyOctober 09, 2012 - 12:32 am
I can hardly wait to watch Romney wipe the floor with Biden in the debate later this week.
NancyOctober 09, 2012 - 7:53 am
Oops. I meant I can hardly wait to see Paul Ryan wipe the floor with Biden later this week in the debate.
PamOctober 09, 2012 - 8:41 pm
Ok guys...how about stop crying in your left and right soup and start having a conversation of substance. How about standing up for our country and express how you feel the direction our country is going. Obama is accomplishing just what he sat out to do---big government take over and more people relying on the government for their paychecks and whatever else they can get. Over 30 million people put on health care and not enough doctors to handle the influx. Shall we refer to that as "limited health care". Bring on the conversations and lets talk about what's ahead for our country if something isn't done. We can respect the "office of president", but we sure as heck don't need to respect the president (do you respect Putin, Chavez, Castro,etc) If the fire in the middle East is any indication, we are really looking pretty weak, well--perhaps that's just what the plan is. Bad foreign policy, not adhering to the Constitution and our laws, by passing the Congress. Well, we can go on and on, let' have at it. Time is growing short.
James E.October 09, 2012 - 8:51 pm
Pam, you started out OK, and then immediately started crying in your 'right' soup. You are right in that this election is a choice -- government or no government. I believe in government.
pamOctober 09, 2012 - 10:29 pm
James, you found me out, I actually lean middle to the right, depending on what the subject is. How about adhering to the Rule of Law. Of course we need "government" and the protections it gives us. I haven't heard anyone say "no government". What we don't need is the government taking over our lives, taxing us beyond believe. At this point the CBO can't predict how much we will have to pay in tax's to support Health Care. Do we need an overhaul? Certainly. Do we need the government to control it? No. There are good ideas, but deep in the law are some pretty bad ones, ie. IPAB has too much control and Obama would like it if they have more with very little oversight. Doesn't sound good to me.
pacifistOctober 17, 2012 - 6:57 pm
@james e. Maybe you should check your fave info source wiki to see if freudian slip is relevant. Some of his theories have been rebuked, but the "slip" and all of it's current variations are still intact. Your picture should be there. You've evidently lost all touch with reality, and your past. I will endorse you for World Class Hypocrite, should you decide to run. Feverishly endorsing socialism after you plied your trade in wiping them out. You should change your handle to "yellow fruitcake", you crazy man.
James E.October 17, 2012 - 8:32 pm
I'd like to make two points: 1. I am of sound mind, the psychiatrist said so. And, 2. I really like fruitcake (and as the holidays approach, I recommend the Monks in Berryville, VA who make a delightful one).
James E.October 18, 2012 - 4:52 pm
Pacifist, I want to tell you what I think about pacifists. Ready? I respect anyone who declares they are not for violence and war. It's the right of each of us -- I knew a number of combat medics who were pacifists -- but they carried a pistol to protect the wounded in case of close combat. They carried pistols, and would not have hesitated to use them if necessary, so I know there are limits even for pacifists. Given that, I hope that pacifists who do not serve in the armed forces, or other capacities, recognize that those who pick up their rifles, fix bayonets, and move to the front protect all Americans including pacifists.