The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of this country was recently downgraded to 1.3%.
This is abysmal. The upcoming jobs report will show America to have a 44th month of unemployment over 8%. When you figure in those that have given up looking for work, it's closer to 19%. THAT is abysmal.

Median Family Income has dropped $4,000 under Obama. More people are out of work now then when Obama took office.

The above are the facts. Why are some Americans continuing to support a president who's only experience was as a US Senator in his first term, who spent most of that first term running for higher office. Before that he was a state senator in his first term who voted "present" over 100 times instead of a yea or nay vote.

Romney has run a business, a successful Olympics and a state.
One has "Executive Experience" , the other is still trying to figure out what that is after almost 4 years.

Bill, you do realize that the republicans only control the house, and only for the last 2.5 years right? You do realize that there have been multiple jobs bills generated in the house that are currently stuck in the democrat controlled senate right? You do realize that Obama spent the time he had with a democrat controlled house and senate on Obamacare and not helping the economy right? You do realize that billions were wasted and as Obama himself said there were no shovel ready jobs right?

I am sure you do realize these facts, but don't let them get in the way of your preferred narrative.

One more question, how does Obama have 5.1 million jobs under his watch? What policies of Obamas led to this creation of jobs?

Romney is a winer

The barely alive commentator is the highlight of this debate....ahahahahahahahaha

Obama without his teleprompter shows his weakness

where are all the Obama kool-aid drinkers tonite >>>>>> they must have switched to beer and are now crying in it

Romney wins in a blow out. Obama displayed his complete lack of knowledge and understanding of business and economics. Romney wins the election propelled by tonight's performance. Our nightmare of the last 4 years is almost over.

Romney was supercilious and rude; his plastic condescending smile was obviously an attempt to connect with the 47% that he disdains. Despite his attempts to provide evidence of experience, governing a state the size of a postage stamp is quite different from running an entire country. He still has not provided specifics regarding his "plans." Obama was trying his best to be civil; I'm hoping to see a more aggressive performance in the next debate, as well as a more competent moderator. I doubt that Candy Crowley will tolerate Mr. Romney's attempts to control the next event.

Do we really need to comment on this debate?

I think it's obvious....

Ummmm....and the pronoun referent here is??

America saw the emergence of a true leader last night, someone ready with bold ideas to get the country back on track. Mitt Romney is that man.

I flipped to MSNBC after the debate and saw the nightly marxists hosts sitting there stunned at what they just witnessed. That was priceless.......................................

I'm not afraid to say Mitt Romney won the first round, hell he had weeks to do nothing but sit in a room and learn his line, he better win. It'll be the fact checking that kills him, not his Academy Award winning performance. And again in true Mitt fashion he left out the "details". As for Obama, I hope he shows up for the next debate like his job depends on it, because it does!!

Yeah - scared Rachel Maddow straight!

Watch the polls, Obama will maintain a healthy lead in swing states

Yeah Rmoney won if you believe all the lies he was spewing:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/10/03/162263539/romney-goes-on-offense-pays-for-it-in-first-wave-of-fact-checks

Obama will continue to lose each dedate. His econonmic policies are a failure, well illustrated by Romney. Obamas forign policy is a disaster, his plans of making friends with the world have failed. Our enimies are now stronger and our allies have had the cold shoulder.
I do not think we can affored four more years of Obama.

Have ANY of you rabid Romneyites read the DETAILS of his health plan ? Really read and studied it ? If you have.....and you're supporting this plan......you're either rich enough not to care......or not intelligent enough to understand its implications........or you are just plain _______ . (use your imagination in the blank). I'm trying to keep an open mind. I haven't FULLY made up my mind yet. But for the love of Pete, stop the juvenile fist pumping and start studying what each candidate means to YOU and YOUR FAMILY. RIGHT HERE WHERE YOU LIVE. Read their plans and policies. Study. Shut your mouths and ears and do your homework. For everybody's' sake.

C'mon Bill, let the Republicans have their day in the sun. They've been depressed for weeks and now feel a sense of hope, albeit false. November 6 will be the final say.

I hope you have that same temperament on Nov. 6 when the President wins fair and square soldiermom11.

I think the debate was great. The crowd didn't interrupt and both candidates had a chance to answer questions, etc.

Politicians always withhold a lot of details when it comes to painful decisions (we need tax reform and entitlement reforms and both include "third rails"), but we need more from both. However, Romney has started disclosing some details that I thought would interest you. Here's a big one:

"Romney's idea for capping individuals’ tax deductions at $17,000 would impose a burden that would fall hardest on the wealthiest taxpayers, who make the most use of the breaks."

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-03/romney-17-000-deduction-cap-first-of-three-part-proposal.html

I think ironic that we were all focused on Romney's, Buffet's and other wealthy folks low tax rates just a few weeks ago. The reason the wealthy pay such low rates is because of our outdated/bloated tax code. Imagine that making over $1 million paying a flat rate of 20% vs 14%, etc.

Also, remember the original purpose of the Alternative Min Tax - It was to make sure "rich" paid min? No loaded with loopholes so hits middle class.

We need tax reform to broaden tax base and simplify.

That will remove a huge amount of uncertainty that is negatively impacting the economy. Businesses cannot make long term decisions (including hiring) with such uncertainty about tax policy and fiscal policy.

The President needs to propose his own tax and spending reforms asap to help us move forward.

There truly is not time in a debate forum to lay out the complicated details of ANY multifaceted program. Anyone who has been in business knows just how impossible it is to be precise in forecasting the nuances of discussion and debate. What is generally done is to lay out the basic plan and goals, then approach the variables with the flexibility to make it all work for everyone. It's called "negotiating." Congress has a say in all of this, too. All 535 members will have different input...so the resulting legislation is NOT predictable...by ANYONE.

I agree with you splinter, well said. The problem will be that when it comes time to cut out the tax loopholes, lobbyists will descend on Washington and make a mockery of the process.

Gflash68.......you missed my point. I'm studying BOTH plans as best that I can. It isn't about who's you read FIRST, just that you open your mind and study both sides. Look at the issues as they are DOCUMENTED, not from the blathering sound bites on TV.

I am a patriot and a firm believer that our country cannot stand 4 more years of "Oblamo". Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independant---you have to be an American first.

Anyone who cannot see that, in my opinion, is either not a patriot or just stupid!

I am not studying anything or anybody, After the last 4 years, I would vote for Mickey Mouse, but not "Oblamo"

You're absolutely right Ed. Why would a guy waste his time talking nothingness?

"Stupid is, as stupid does". ....... Forrest Gump.

Romney took poor Obama to the woodshed last night. Ouch did he get spanked. Bring on the VP. That will be worse than the whipping Kennedy put on Nixon in their 1st televised debate. 67% to 23%. Now that is what I would call an old style beat down.

Ummmm...by lying through his teeth beneath that supercilious smirk?

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/10/04/958801/at-last-nights-debate-romney-told-27-myths-in-38-minutes/?mobile=nc

Has anyone watched the movie Obama 2016?