Did you miss the first presidential debate? You
can watch the full event online on CNN.com.
(CNN) -- A day after losing the first presidential debate,
President Barack Obama and his campaign accused his Republican challenger Mitt
Romney of being dishonest about tax policy and other issues.
"If you want to be president, you
owe the American people the truth," Obama said at a campaign rally Thursday in
Denver. "So here's the truth: Governor Romney cannot pay for his $5 trillion tax
plan without blowing up the deficit or sticking it to the middle class. That's
the math."
The president's top aides were
even more blunt.
Analyst: Election now 'a horse
race' 
Obama and Romney debate in
Denver 
Best 'zingers' from debate night
Rubio: Obama uncomfortable at
debate
"Romney's performance was one
that's probably unprecedented in its dishonesty," senior adviser David Plouffe
told reporters.
Still, senior campaign adviser
David Axelrod acknowledged Obama will examine his debate strategy for the next
two contests -- on October 16 in New York and October 22 in Florida.
The president opted against
"serial fact-checking with Governor Romney, which can be a never-ending,
exhausting pursuit," Axelrod said. "Obviously, going forward, we're going to
have to look at this, and we're going to have make some adjustments."
Meanwhile, Romney continued to
push his debate theme that there's been much federal spending under Obama,
complaining of "trickle-down government" that has failed to solve the nation's
economic woes.
"Trickle-down government that
the president proposes is one where he will raise taxes on small business, which
will kill jobs" he said in an unannounced visit Thursday to a conservative
conference in Colorado. "I instead want to keep taxes down on small business so
we can create jobs."
He and his vice presidential
running mate, Paul Ryan, then appeared together Thursday night in Fisherville,
in western Virginia. Ryan touted the National Rifle Association's endorsement
earlier in the day of the GOP ticket, adding that he's looking forward to when
"after we elect Mitt Romney president, I can take my daughter deer hunting."
Both the Wisconsin congressman
and Romney, who followed him onstage, referenced the previous night's debate as
demonstrating "a clear choice" for voters.
"Last night was an important
night for the country, because people got the chance to cut through all the
attacks and the counterattacks and all the theatrics associated with the
campaign, and instead they were able to listen to substance," said the former
Massachusetts governor.
"As a result ..., the American
people recognize that (Obama) and I stand for something very different," he
said, before vowing, "I am going to help the American people get good jobs and a
bright future."
His supporters crowed about his
debate performance, saying it reshaped a race that Romney had appeared in fear of losing.
Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who
played the role of the president in debate rehearsals for Romney, said the GOP
candidate had a "terrific night" in discussing Obama's record, talking about his
own policies and setting "the record straight on ... misleading ads."
"He did exactly what he had to
do for the undecided voter in Ohio or around the country," Portman said.
To Ed Gillespie, a senor adviser
to Romney, the GOP challenger brought focus to the sharp contrast between the
candidates by showing voters that "we can't afford four more years like the last
four years."
While both sides were in full
spin mode Thursday, it was widely felt that Romney won the debate itself.
President Barack Obama and Republican
presidential candidate Mitt Romney finish their debate in Denver on Wednesday,
October 3. View behind-the-scene photos of debate preparations.
Romney stands with his wife, Ann, and family
following the first presidential debate.
Romney stands with his wife, Ann, and family
following the first presidential debate.
President Obama kisses first lady Michelle
Obama after the debate Wednesday. It took place on their 20th wedding
anniversary.
President Obama kisses first lady Michelle
Obama after the debate Wednesday. It took place on their 20th wedding
anniversary.
Jim Leher of PBS moderates the 90-minute
debate on Wednesday. It was the candidates' first time debating face to
face.
Jim Leher of PBS moderates the 90-minute
debate on Wednesday. It was the candidates' first time debating face to
face.
Obama defended his record and challenged his
rival's proposals.
Obama defended his record and challenged his
rival's proposals.
Romney was more aggressive Wednesday in
criticizing Obama's vision.
Romney was more aggressive Wednesday in
criticizing Obama's vision.
People watch the debate at Galapagos Art
Space in Brooklyn, New York.
People watch the debate at Galapagos Art
Space in Brooklyn, New York.
The event was expected to draw the
candidates' largest nationwide audience to date.
The event was expected to draw the
candidates' largest nationwide audience to date.
Romney answers a question from the
moderator.
Romney answers a question from the
moderator.
Obama argues his view. Both candidates said
the other's proposals won't work.
Obama argues his view. Both candidates said
the other's proposals won't work.
Michelle Obama listens to the debate.
Michelle Obama listens to the debate.
Romney said Obama has failed to bring down
high unemployment and get the economy surging again.
Romney said Obama has failed to bring down
high unemployment and get the economy surging again.
Obama reacts to Romney's remarks on
Wednesday.
Obama reacts to Romney's remarks on
Wednesday.
Obama listens during the debate in
Denver.
Obama listens during the debate in
Denver.
Romney, who has been unable to catch the
president in most polls to date, sought to generate enthusiasm for a change in
the White House.
Romney, who has been unable to catch the
president in most polls to date, sought to generate enthusiasm for a change in
the White House.
Romney's shadow is projected beneath text
from the Declaration of Independence at the University of Denver's Magness
Arena.
Romney's shadow is projected beneath text
from the Declaration of Independence at the University of Denver's Magness
Arena.
The first of three presidential debates
focused on domestic issues: the economy, health care and the role of
government.
The first of three presidential debates
focused on domestic issues: the economy, health care and the role of
government.
Obama and Mitt Romney clashed over the
economy on Wednesday.
Obama and Mitt Romney clashed over the
economy on Wednesday.
Romney speaks during Wednesday night's
debate. The candidate called for a new economic path.
Romney speaks during Wednesday night's
debate. The candidate called for a new economic path.
Obama called for "economic patriotism" and
said Romney's plan of tax cuts for the rich failed before.
Obama called for "economic patriotism" and
said Romney's plan of tax cuts for the rich failed before.
Romney and Obama wave to the crowd at the
start of the presidential debate.
Romney and Obama wave to the crowd at the
start of the presidential debate.
Obama greets Romney on Wednesday.
Obama greets Romney on Wednesday.
The candidates meet on stage less than five
weeks before Election Day.
The candidates meet on stage less than five
weeks before Election Day.
Obama and Romney shake hands Wednesday
night.
Obama and Romney shake hands Wednesday
night.
The presidential race has been dominated so
far by negative advertising as both camps try to frame the election to their
advantage.
The presidential race has been dominated so
far by negative advertising as both camps try to frame the election to their
advantage.
Leher takes the stage Wednesday. It's his
12th time moderating a presidential debate.
Leher takes the stage Wednesday. It's his
12th time moderating a presidential debate.
Michelle Obama points to Lehrer before the
start of the debate.
Michelle Obama points to Lehrer before the
start of the debate.
Ann Romney and first lady Michelle Obama hug
on Wednesday.
Ann Romney and first lady Michelle Obama hug
on Wednesday.
The candidates wives were in attendance for
the most highly anticipated campaign event to date.
The candidates wives were in attendance for
the most highly anticipated campaign event to date.
Michelle Obama sits with White House Senior
Advisor Valerie Jarrett, right.
Michelle Obama sits with White House Senior
Advisor Valerie Jarrett, right.
Rapper Will.i.am, left, speaks with Jarrett
before the debate on Wednesday. View behind-the-scenes photos of debate
preparations.
Rapper Will.i.am, left, speaks with Jarrett
before the debate on Wednesday. View behind-the-scenes photos of debate
preparations.
The
first presidential debate
HIDE CAPTION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Photos: The first
presidential debate
"A week ago, people were saying
this was over. We've got a horse race," said CNN Senior Political Analyst David
Gergen, who called the debate Romney's best so far after the 22 the former
Massachusetts governor took part in during the GOP primary campaign.
Alex Castellanos, a Republican
strategist and CNN contributor, expressed surprise at Romney's strong
performance, saying he "rose to the moment" and seemed to benefit from the
multiple primary debates.
"It looked like Romney wanted to
be there and President Obama didn't want to be there," noted Democratic
strategist and CNN contributor James Carville. "The president didn't bring his
'A' game."
The CNN/ORC International poll
of 430 people who watched the debate showed 67% thought Romney won, compared
with 25% for Obama.
Obama joked Thursday that a
different Romney appeared at the debate from the conservative candidate who won
a grueling primary campaign to challenge him on November 6.
"When I got on to the stage I
met this very spirited fellow who claimed to be Mitt Romney," Obama said told
the crowd of more than 12,000 at a Denver park. "But it couldn't have been Mitt
Romney because the real Mitt Romney has been running around the country for the
last year promising $5 trillion in tax cuts that favor the wealthy. The fellow
on stage last night said he didn't know anything about that."
In Denver and later in
Wisconsin, Obama also went after Romney's pledge during the debate to cut
funding for public broadcasting, referring specifically to the popular Sesame
Street character Big Bird.
"He'll get rid of regulations on
Wall Street, but he's going to crack down on Sesame Street," Obama joked about
Romney's pledge to repeal the Dodd-Frank Act that reforms the financial
sector.
"Thank goodness somebody is
finally getting tough on Big Bird," Obama added. "It's about time. We didn't
know that Big Bird was driving the federal deficit."
No comments:
Post a Comment