First Reactions on Romney’s Big Win in the First Debate

The consensus seems to be that the President underestimated his challenger.  CNN’s poll says 67% of registered voters thought Romney won versus 25% for Obama. I watched the debate, took notes during, turned the TV off afterwards and went to dinner.  I thought I’d transcribe my notes here along with my reactions.  I initially wondered whether I was being too generous to Governor Romney in my assessments, but as I watch CNN’s talking heads, I think they’re within range.

MR:     “Trickle down government.”

HA!  A wonderful aphorism that tackles the FDR legacy progressive liberalism in which rights come from government – or “trickle down” form government, as we might as well say.

I predict Trickle-Down Government will become a part of our political lexicon.  Best moment of the night as far as I’m concerned.  Not only a witty turn of the tables on the related expression, but it aptly captures the difference of “big ideas” in this campaign: classical liberalism in which rights come from God and nature versus modern progressive liberalism where rights come from — or trickle down from — government.

Watching the CNN replay later that showed the response of undecided Colorado voters, MR got very positive sustained response while making and expounding on this idea.

MR:     “Economy tax.”

Another great line.

MR:     Will not cut burden on upper income.  Will lower rates and eliminate loopholes to help small businesses.

BO:      This is different than the tax plan MR has been promoting.  His new tax plan apparently is “nevermind.”

The President is obviously a little annoyed.

BO:      Need to raise taxes to Clinton-era levels.  We also have a different definition of small business.  MR calls Donald Trump a small business.

MR:     BO’s plan is to take some small business from 35% rate to 40% rate.  NFIB says this will cost 700,000 jobs.  My mission is to create not destroy jobs.

BO continues to struggle to expound his political vision.  You can’t  sell tax increases a la carte.  MR effectively makes his response to this issue, and all issues in the debate, in terms of that so-called three letter word:  J-O-B-S.

BO:      $5T cut +  $2T military cuts must mean a burden on the middle class.  We’ve tried this before.

MR responds here by looks too anxious to get in the last word and it cost him some early points.  He’s been passionate, but it’s not clear he’s more passionate about the points or about making them.

MR:     Deficit is a moral issue about imposing costs on future generations.  The standard for evaluating our domestic programs is “Is the program so critical that we’re willing to borrow money fromChinato fund it.”

Very good line.

BO:      Inherited a trillion dollar deficit and an economic crisis.  We need more taxes on the rich.  We already made some spending cuts but they weren’t enough.  MR rejected $10 in cuts for $1 in tax increases.

MR:     Confirms his refusal to raise taxes.  BO agreed in 2008 with economists who said it’s a bad idea to raise taxes in a struggling economy.

MR gets the better of this exchange.  He’s right as a matter of political reality not to agree to new taxes:  it signals to the left that, to get spending increases, just pass big spending bills when the economy is flush and you can lock them in with bipartisan support later.  But it’s a hard position to sell to undecided voters.  MR took advantage of BO’s own former (correct) position on this issue.

BO:      Have to take a balanced approach.  Tax subsidies to Exxon Mobile, corporate jets, for companies moving operations overseas.

Did the “corporate jets” pitch ever get much mileage?  Seems an odd time to resurrect it.

MR:     BO put $90 billion in green energy firms, many of which failed.  He doesn’t pick winners and losers, he just picks losers.

Ouch.

The health care discussion was a bit technocratic and failed to connect.  I don’t think it was terribly effective for either side.  MR was obviously working hard to draw attention to IPAB and the costs of Obamacare to small business, its most unpopular aspects.  MR also affirmed the prohibition against pre-existing conditions.  BO gave a city bus tour on the health reform debate we had back in 2008-2009.

BO: “Insurance companies can’t jerk you around.”

Strong line.  He was also gracious in giving credit (in a backhanded way) to MR for MassCare.  Even though BO seems like he’s winging it, he’s still good at this.

MR continues to bully poor Jim Lehrer for air time.  In fairness, the President got more air time throughout the night.

MR comes off vigorous, ambitious, full of ideas.  He grins a little too much, no match for Obama’s big friendly-looking smile.  But he seems comfortable debating the President.  The challenger caught the champ off-guard tonight.

We have a race on our hands.