The candidates apparently weren't given any more of a heads up than in the link below, but it does take something off standing behind a podium having to think on your feet when not knowing what's coming.

I suppose we can sit through a canned and memorized stump speech type thing - from both candidates. I hope not, but what else can we think?

Now, the 2nd debate is a town hall style where people ask questions. I think he'll be particularly bad in this one.

Can't wait. Bring 'em on!

The moderator asks a question, the candidate responds with some talking point, vaguely if at all related to the question, then the rebuttal is some other unrelated talking point.

Romney may follow the example of his friend Meg Whitman when she debated the wily and erudite Jerry Brown during the 2010 CA governor's campaign -- repeat, repeat, and repeat again carefully prepared talking points. She still managed to hand him a gift-wrapped present; a line that allowed Brown to gleefully and masterfully destroy an argument she advanced. Whitman said that she wanted to bring CA back to the sensible government of the late 1970s - early 1980s; the precise time of Jerry Brown's first tenure as governor.

I wonder if this year's presidential debates will be as fun as the Whitman-Brown match ups?

I don't think Obama would go into any debate without the
questions ahead of time.
A narcissists like Obama would not take kindly to being
made to look ill-prepared.
My opinion.
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Byrnie � 3 days ago
Will Obama get the quetions in advance or does Obama just make up the questions and send them to Jim?
I'm a cynic given the complete abdication of the media to be responsible journalists and report a fair and honest perspective of the campaign. The attacks on Romney are constant and you would think he is the POTUS given the media's inability to hold Obama responsible for anything.

Because Mitt's gaffes are constant. He constantly shoots himself in the foot. The only one to blame for how Mitt is portrayed in the media is Mitt.

Mitt's own words and actions are what are being reported. Perhaps if he doesn't want to come off as a complete fool he shouldn't behave like one and no one would have to report about it.

Because Mitt's gaffes are constant. He constantly shoots himself in the foot. The only one to blame for how Mitt is portrayed in the media is Mitt.

Mitt's own words and actions are what are being reported. Perhaps if he doesn't want to come off as a complete fool he shouldn't behave like one and no one would have to report about it.

Really? You think they would give Obama the questions in advance? Democrats being elected is all a big conspiracy to you? That Democrats and Obama can't possibility win on their merit, they have to cheat to win?

So clearly, if Romney doesn't do well, it must be someone else's fault.

Kate

When I see comments like this, I start to laugh so hard my stomach hurts.

The worst part is someone really believes this stuff.

I guess personal responsibility doesn't apply to Mitt Romney.

Why wouldn't they. They bend over backwards to cover for him.
Even the media admits they are biased.
Not even ashamed to admit it.

esh, remember that you're asking this of someone who claimed the only reason many of us voted for Obama in 2008 was because he stationed thuggish black dudes outside our polling booths.

He did that sick little giggle thing after saying it.

I think he will do exactly as Nancy says..talking points repeat, repeat, repeat. A lot will depend on what the moderator lets him get away with. Even at that, though.. Obama will still shine. Romney is really, really bad during debates. Teddy Kennedy creamed him!

I think you will see more ads, right before the debates, saying this.... that Obama is untruthful, I mean his base already believes this.

Also, because we know that he has no problem with out and out lying, (the Welfare reform ad) I think that he is going to try a fast one, (fast and dirty, Romney plays really dirty pool)... late in the campaign...some ad that says something outrageously false... but devastating. Can't unring a bell, can you!

I don't count him out yet, at all. He wants this so very badly and he is not a man accustomed to not getting what he wants.

Also, I don't know about other parts of the country but here, in Florida, they are running ads with Netanyahu warning about Iran having "the nuclear bomb" and suggests that the Obama administrations position is "to wait".. where Netanyahu says "wait.. wait for what.. a nuclear bomb" This ad is by one of Romneys superpacs.

There's that Red Line, again!

E

I am also really looking forward to Oct 3rd.

esh, remember that you're asking this of someone who claimed the only reason many of us voted for Obama in 2008 was because he stationed thuggish black dudes outside our polling booths.
*****************************************************

CP, you had thuggish black dudes outside your voting
booths???????
With night sticks?????
No wonder you voted for the man!!!!!!!!!!

I think you are brave. You did what you had to do at the
time.
This time could be different though.
The big bad thugs might not show up this time. :)

It means nothing really, except it does explain why the President keeps winning the "likeability" factor in polls. And that doesn't say anything either, except for his ability to use that "likeability" when dealing with other powerful men in foreign countries. That could be very important in the big picture.

I'm with David about the actual substance of the two responses to the questions asked.
President Obama said the same things in the same way I've heard him them said a gazabillion times. However, he has been asked the same questions a gazabillion times, I'm not sure what else there is to say.

What I most noticed was that Romney said a WHOLE lot but never once actually and directly gave a full answer a single question, not once.
Not even when he went off on Obama and the reporter sharply rounded him back to the direct question, did he actually give a direct answer. I found it noteworthy that he would continue with that tactic even on an interview with 60 minutes, one of the best platforms he will have show his best and most able self.
That is his weakest point and if he loses this election I suspect that it will be his unwillingness (inability?) to give a whole and fairly detailed outline plan for HOW exactly he intends to do what it is he plans to do.

They both sounded like they had said the same words in the same sentences so many times that they didn't need to think about how to give the response.
I wonder if that is the result of going on the campaign train....there is no spontaneity left.

I was looking forward to the debates, now - not so much. I don't know that there will be any exciting responses that reveals anything other than what both have said already.
They can't FORCE Romney to give out a single detail about how he will put his various plans into actions (or pay for them) and if they can't force him, he won't.
It seems like I recall his saying after he lost an election that giving details equaled defeat and he would never do it again.
And hey - he knows that those people who are in the mode of "anyone but that scary Obama man" don't need details. Maybe wouldn't understand details anyway - keep it simple and put Obama down give them what they want to hear.

Maybe he is right, maybe he will win the election by his method of hide,deny, be vague game - "the devil lives in the details so don't give any" kind of approach.
He and we will find out soon enough.

--------------------------------------------------
If there are "breaking news!" reports that groups of

*Independents who USED to be Democrat voters*
AKA NOT republicans and don't dare refer to them as republicans because they are INDEPENDENTS (who think for themselves!) -
have suddenly disappeared deep into underground caves, determined to remain there for the next four years, protecting their most precious assets from that scaryObamaman - thus, carrying gold and ammo.

I know it will mean a safer election result for the nation.

I'd bet Bill won't be with them though. Our Bill will 'ride out the storm' just fine in his own home with his own beloved family and his wonderful dogs - just like he always has!
However, he will remain armed and on guard, irregardless!

(No mean jabbing, just having fun messing with you Bill ;)