He may be a conciliator, but he is our "hands" in this fight, and if he doesn't punch back, WE are not punching back. We get clobbered. And us voters are in a mood to deck these chumps.

Bill Clinton and Joe Biden clearly understand this -- that they actually represent all of us. Not in a theoretical way, but in a mass pinch-hitter way.

So POTUS needs to get our "attitude" on, when he speaks for us. That doesn't need to be uncivil, just intense and serious, and very effective. Republicans only cooperate when they have no choice, AFTER they are beaten. THEN get your consensus with them.

He needs to make our case, not just his. He needs to approach the debates like a prosecuting attorney who is going up against a sleazy defendant who has flashy representation. He is representing us and our wishes.

Body language matters. Tone matters. It's not just what you say but how you say it that matters.

Strength is not always shown the same way. Substance matters and so do facts. I don't want someone who is "strong" andt a liar.

That went on all through the Shrub years. Rs kept telling us how "strong" he was. I don't care how strong he is if he uses that strength to do wrong.

I also don't see strength in energetic babbling. Just speaking energetically alone is not strength.

Also it's a weird fetish for Americans, since we are only electing a leader of the federal executive branch and not someone who is going to take care of us like a parent. We have to elect the other branch of Senators and Congressman and a leader of our state's executive branch and state legislatures - we seem to do all that without worrying about how "strong" they are.

People need to get over this leader fetish. We are adults in a self governing society. Now you'll probably say I am outnumbered by the idiots out there looking for a leader into the promised land, one who is all powerful. What's funny is the US Presidency is by nature weak in comparison with that. A President can't make any of us do anything. But that's our strength.

And as I said, Obama IS strong. He just needs to SHOW it this next time. And you can be both strong on substance and in demeanor.

Weaklings won't make it to get elected dog catcher.

I'll bet 99.9999 percent of the populace would rather have a smart, even tempered Golden retriever

and this one will be a format that lends itself to showing connection to the audience's concerns as much as refuting Romney, I think.

To me what is critical is just what you mention. In this country the animal trumps the intellectual. Sadly. But also, it was not okay that Obama complimented Romney, said that their ideas about Social Security are the same... I sure hope not, and closed with a mention of how Romney didn't think much of his last four years... that was Obama trying to find common ground and be a nice guy with someone who doesn't play by any rules, is probably capable of criminal behavior, doesn't give a shit about Obama, probably hates him, etc.

I think Obama hates Romney but won't let himself really feel it. Romney and the Republicans are OUTRAGEOUS TRAITORS. He knows this. But he has to be civil.

Whatever happens he is the winner in my eyes for taking the brunt of these billionaire backed sociopaths who would destroy this country rather than lose their power.

Wish Obama had people like you nearby to advise. Sometimes the DC bubble makes you lose sight of the obvious we common falk realize as what is clearly needed. Great points.

Has to want to protect Social Security and Medicare as if they were precious jewels. Has to avenge the values of the Democratic party against all comers. Has to believe it to really fight for it.

The courage of his convictions will come through if they're really there. This is not the time for praising the Republican party or agreeing with them.

People want to see energy, optimism enthusiasm a "can do" spirit and all that. That's what President Obama failed to project in the previous debate where he was flat, sedate and his body language made it seem as though he didn't want to be there. I'm sure he'll reverse that image on Tuesday.

The guy who can take the most punishment.

That guy ain't Romney. It's Obama. Watch.

Not everyone can *take* one.

--and welcome to DU!!

"What I'm hearing you say is that tax cuts to the already-wealthy will result in jobs. Is that what you're saying? In that case, maybe you could explain why that didn't happen with Bush's tax cuts. Here's what I believe: that the wealthy should pay their fair share, no more but no less."

Of course Romney wouldn't go back and explain his position, so that doubt is left hanging there.

I like your suggestion. Welcome to DU!

better debate performance, and Obama HIMSELF has PLAINLY said so. What don't you get? He LOST the debate and gave RobMe an opening. It also really sucked a lot of intertia out of his momentum and really disappointed the base. THAT is the reality. I believe he WILL do much better this time though.

who doesn't get it: Bullying, rudeness and lying is not "strength." I don't give a damn if Americans fall for the shit fed to them by the MSM. Romney lost!

I watched it on C-SPAN and that was my strong impression also. I recognize that BO let a few "zinger" opportunities go by but this wasn't a comedy competition, it was a serious policy debate, and he won on policy.

that he is Mitt Romney?

"Mitt Romney? Never heard of him!"

That's the obvious next gambit for him.

In other Western countries like Europe, Canada etc. there is not the same cultural preoccupation with a leader having to appear masculine, macho etc.

But in America it matters. The President has to fight back, otherwise people view it as weakness (particularly men voters), even if it's the other guy that is being a pathological liar.

So since this is what people want - give it to them! No one can complain now about the 'angry black man' since viewers didn't want Obama to be so low-key last time.

Rip Romney apart!

When Mulroney was Prime Minister he had a SHOUTING MATCH with his debate opponent in one election.

and they are used to it.

The Prime Minister is right there in Parliament and has an opposition shadow person who is there, too.

It's a very good system, and in some ways I envy it. IMO it is the reason they have national healthcare plans, since when Liberals or Labor get in they can enact the plan. Here we can't do it due to the Senate, the filibuster, and Presidents being of a different party from Congress.

So it's nice but it wouldn't work for our President to get into shouting matches with anyone.

In the United Stares. Americans live flexing presidents.

Welcome to DU!

McCain didn't look all that "weak."

Bush looked stronger than Kerry or Gore?

The president WILL bring it!

Not only reiterating that Obama "lost," but continually defining Romney's bullshit performance as "strength," as if what he did was admirable. I know it's politics, and if lying is strength and getting away with it...no...being given at pass...is "winning," then let's declare Romney the winner, retroactively.

thank you and others for standing up for reality.

No mention of domestic or foreign policy.. ecnomic policy or the future of the United States... just who "Tapped Out".

"He who has the most tatoos wins"... morons...

the biggest pile of crap Ezra has every put forward, beaten only by the time he sold Paul Ryan as credible.

He's selling Romney: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021510468#post4


Best article on the debate:

Matt Taibbi: Presidential Debate Aftermath: Mitt Romney Wins All-Important BS Contest
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021485643

ProSense, didn't think you still posted. Anyhow, that's too bad Ezra is rooting for Romney.

believe he's rooting for Romney, but his commentaries sometimes stray to bipartisan bullshit. He tries to be conciliatory when it comes to Republicans, which requires him to use pretzel logic.