Who won the Debate?

[RogueBeaver]

I voted Obama because he was stronger on points, but the debate is a tie and won't change a thing.

[cavalcade]

Obama won but by less than he won the second debate.  He also won most clearly on foreign policy, which few people care about.  The econ-y points were more of a draw.

[Lief 🗽]

Romney has absolutely no knowledge on foreign affairs, and that was painfully obvious to anyone paying attention tonight. Obama won tonight by more than Romney did in the first debate, IMO.

[Spanish Moss]

Obama won, but Romney has a lot to be proud of tonight.  He needed to look Presidential, and I believe he did just that.  He didn't look confused and out of sorts like some say he did.

I disagree.  There were points where it seemed to me Romney looked like he wanted to cry, and I'm not even being hyperbolic.

[Orion0]

Obama won, but Romney has a lot to be proud of tonight.  He needed to look Presidential, and I believe he did just that.  He didn't look confused and out of sorts like some say he did.  This is an Obama victory, but Romney did well himself.  Romney will not lose momentum.

Careful now, with all this logic and evenhanded evaluation of facts you're likely to get flamed, memed and thrown to the wolves by your fellow dems.

[Joe Republic]

The forum says Obama, but my instincts say Romney

I'll wait for the snap polls to be released to judge.

Yes, let other people and the media decide who was the better debater.

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

The forum says Obama, but my instincts say Romney

I'll wait for the snap polls to be released to judge.

Yes, let other people and the media decide who was the better debater.

CBS Snap Poll
Obama-53
Romney-23
Tie-24

[Likely Voter]

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[Reginald]

Obama. In fact I honestly can't see how it wasn't a domination as long as we're talking substance here (which I shouldn't doubt but...). Romney failed to properly explain what exactly he would do differently overall—occasionally even committing pure conservative blasphemy and acceding to Obama's policy—and his main attack of the evening, that America is weaker worldwide than it was four years ago, is tenuous at the very best.

Now it won't be unexpected if polls don't change much, but that's because foreign policy has taken a back seat to the economy—absolutely not because Romney held his own and constructed a fleshed-out, sufficiently different foreign policy.

[Cliffy]

You're not asking the question right, it's bigger than that.  Romney needed a different type of win than Obama who is trying to get to all independents and fire his base up.  Romney's performance was for white women primarily, that's where all of his opportunity is left, he does not need to fire his base up.  That's why he behaved how he did.  He also needed to overall come across presidential and he needed to score some points in Ohio, he did excellent there with the bailout piece and people will be checking the record. And most importantly he reassured women that they will be safe and secure both economically and with him being commander in chief.  

I'm biased so I think Romney won because I think he scored well with whom he needed and how he needed to.  

I'm sure the left will think Obama went. But Obama played small ball looked pissy and snarky and Romney went big picture and presidential.

This looked like an amateur against a professional  

[J. J.]

Obama on points, but no knock-out.  Romney looked like a commander-in-chief, was more presidential, and didn't look like a war monger. 

[Reaganfan]

Romney and anyone who voted for Obama is a hack.

Couldn't agree more. Especially by the middle and end of the debate, Romney just took it home.

[J. J.]

CNN:  44/40 Obama

[patrick1]

Obama was the winner.  I just don't think Mitt knows what he is talking about at all on foreign policy. He was stammering quite a bit.  Mitt is at his best when he can just list off bad economic stats from past 4 years.  Take him out of that comfort zone and he appears lost.

This will not sway many people at all though.

[Spanish Moss]

[RJ]

I watched bits and pieces of this debate and from what I saw there really wasn't a clean cut winner.

Of course, I thought the post debate reaction of the first one was rediculous. I suppose that whatever the media says is just what we'll have to think.

[AmericanNation]

Obama did a poor job of defending his record and was childish at times.  
Everyone will miss that when Obama tries to defend himself/ attack opponent he completely fails to outline an agenda for the future or explain how he will be better/ less of a failure.

Romney was super presidential and he probably just closed the deal.  Obama needs a hail marry at this point.  

I consider this to be a Romney "win", but people will try and pretend that this debate occurred in a vacuum and that Obama's vote losing, lie filled performance was technically under Marquess of Queensberry rules a win for the president.          

[Cryptic]

CNN:  44/40 Obama

Actually, it was 48/40. 

http://twitter.com/yoonCNN/status/260580387548442624

[Lincoln Republican]

Obama and anyone who voted is Romney a hack.

Anyone who labels anyone who disapproves of their candidate's performance a hack is themselves a hack

Agreed, but those who throw this charge of hack at others will have to know that they leave themselves open to this same charge being thrown back at them.

[Old Man Willow]

Obama, because he appeared presidential and knew what he was talking about.

[Maxwell]

Obama beat Romney because Romney became Obama's foreign policies. He was trying to find ways to sound like he disagrees with him while agreeing 1000%. I thought it was a bad debate on both sides because Obama has a toxic foreign policy, but Obama obviously won because Romney completely fumbled the ball on this one.

[J. J.]

CNN:  44/40 Obama

Actually, it was 48/40. 

http://twitter.com/yoonCNN/status/260580387548442624

Sorry, trying to catch it of CNN.

[Lincoln Republican]

CNN poll, can he handle being Commander In Chief?

Obama           63%
Romney          60%

Hardly a blow out on this most important question.

[Lief 🗽]

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[Joe Republic]

Obama and anyone who voted is Romney a hack.

Anyone who labels anyone who disapproves of their candidate's performance a hack is themselves a hack

Agreed, but those who throw this charge of hack at others will have to know that they leave themselves open to this same charge being thrown back at them.

So why do you keep doing it?