alternative is Romney! You think Romney is going to give you a progressive government?

Your statements don't make sense.

For too long, he's deluded himself into thinking he can win over the hearts and minds of Republicans by being a nice guy, that his professional way will endear him to people. After the first year in office, he should've realized that we need him to let the American people know that their plan is to obstruct him at any cost to the country. Being Mr. Nice Guy hasn't worked and won't work against the bloodthirsty bastards.

The team of Plouffe, Axelrod, and Obama needs to drop this Mr. Nice Guy stuff and show that they're willing to fight for America.

Valid point, and I think it's what cost us the House in 2010. He got into trouble in 2009-2010 because he kept trying to work with Republicans who wanted to destroy him and the Democrats lost control over the agenda.

Why does he want to be liked so much? I read about this aspect of his character in Jodi Kantor's book, "The Obamas" this year. He seems to want to co-operate with everyone and be friends with the Republicans.

One of the reasons that I initially supported Hillary in the 2008 primaries is not because I believed she was perfect or that she was any more progressive, but because she has the ruthless streak to stand up to Republicans. She lived through Bill Clinton's 2 terms and saw what they are capable of.

What I also was disappointed in last night was that Obama should have mentioned that the Republicans set out from Day 1 to make his Presidency (and therefore) America, a failure. He needs to come back at Romney and say "Your Party wasn't interested in working on behalf of the American people to fix the economy - they have deliberately obstructed it".

I hope Obama realizes he needs to be ruthless when dealing with the Republicans if necessary. He can be friends with them again after he gets re-elected if he wants to, but right now he needs to treat them as the enemy.

and that's coming from someone who has given plenty in both time and money.

And let me tell you something else that people who haven't put skin in the game better believe:

The campaign is getting ripped a new asshole by the major donors this morning. You better believe that people who have put in major dollars aren't putting up with that kind of weak ass performance. I guarantee you this is happening.

President Obama had a 2 ton flip-flopping lying charging RHINO that he had to fend off. Hardly a fair analogy IMHO.

He wasn't the President we are used to seeing. I expected so much more. I wanted to go up there and put up a shield. It seemed like he kept looking down and just taking the hits. He didn't respond back in his cheerful, usual way! Well, Mitt will be gloating for the next few weeks. I hope it doesn't effect the poles too much! Lies can win the debate, can they win the election?

....of the whining talking heads who wanted to see blood and guts and a lot of posters on this board.

Mitt made comments last night completely counter to everything he's said before...some would call those flat-out lies. Why isn't the media, and certain loudly complaining posters on this board, concentrating on what Mitt did to destroy his own campaign? Who is the real Mitt Romney? Can anyone tell from last night? If you want lies instead of facts, feel free to vote for Mitt on Election Day.

If anyone should be feeling "let down", it should be the GOP/Tea Nazis who saw Mitt repudiate just about all of their far-right beliefs.

My advice to those who are complaining about the President's performance during the first debate? Grow a pair...this is a marathon, not a 60 meter dash.

They cut him up because he is a great speaker who they say, doesn't prove what he says. He is the great orator. Last night Mitt beat him at his own game. I was disappointed because Obama looked tired, taking hits without hitting back. Mitt did lie all over the place. Obama should be used to this type of crap as a Chicago politician. What happened?

....and that was Obama's strategy last night.

Sorry, but whether he won or not, that's not how he came across.

It's not up to us to make that determination.

It will be up to the public.

We'll have to see what they say in the days ahead.

Gaining points in already red states does him no good.