"I AM THE PRESIDENT!"

theawl.com

Tuesday Night at Hofstra University in the State of New York, the President of the United States showed up and made it abundantly clear that he isn’t giving up his championship belt without a fight.  It was a thing of beauty.  Battered and bloodied from Round One, all eyes were on the President wondering if he would be on the receiving-end of the knock-out blow by Mitt Romney, the challenger.  All were gathered at ringside looking for the Number One Contender to deliver the fatal blow.

The two fighters walked to center ring, touched gloves, referee Crowley welcomed one and all and then the fight was on.  Obama landed a big first punch minutes into the contest and never looked back.  From the opening bell, the President owned the night.  He started strong taking the fight to his opponent and never once let up.  Obama kept moving in closer and closer with body blows throughout the fight countering everything that his opponent threw at him.  The Number One Contender fought a valiant fight but as the final bell was approaching, Obama seized the opening provided by his opponent and moved in with a flurry of uncontested punches leaving his opponent helpless and unable to respond.

npr.org

“I am the President” was the resounding theme throughout the debate as President Barack Obama separated himself from his opponent.  It was remarkable how you could tell which candidate was the President of the United States and who was fighting to become President of the United States.  Mitt Romney had a good night.  It was just that the President had a better night.  Well-prepared, Obama won on substance, style and strength and reminded everyone why he currently sits in the Oval Office.

The President came with energy and enthusiasm and it showed.  He engaged the undecided voters in the room and was well at-ease gaining strength as each minute passed within the debate.  Neither man chose to follow the rules of the forum in strict fashion but Romney made it more of an issue than Obama did and he looked more like a child protesting to a parent, Candy Crowley, that he wasn’t receiving his fair due.  Not an attractive quality in someone wanting to be President of the United States. 

Although candidates in the debate process hardly ever provide simple answers to questions, President Obama did a better job of this offering some specifics.  Romney continues to fail at the specifics.  Case in point was the total non-response to a woman asking about mortgage deductions and the child earned income credit.  Romney loses credibility every time he walks away from answering these types of questions. 



csmonitor.com



The president prevailed or held his own on nearly every issue and question raised.  President Obama won handily on the issue of immigration and women’s rights, two significant voter-sensitive issues.  The last word of the night belonged to the President and he took full advantage by holding Romney accountable for his 47 percent comments.  It was a slam-dunk finish. This debate was far and away the most interesting, combative and memorable debate I can recall.  The President’s performance will be remembered and reviewed by every future candidate for the office of the Presidency.

Can’t wait for Round Three!