Lisen: The Presidential Debates, Round 1; And the Winner Is…

Facing Each Other…

There they stood, two men, one in red tie, the other in blue, facing off, facing ahead, facing away from each other; our future. And I knew the “who won the debate” verdict would soon be dancing its way across the airwaves and coursing along the superhighway. As I watched the two presidential candidates spar for the right to be leader of the free world, I came to a conclusion: Obama, 5; Romney, 7. But the real winner? All the rest of us.

Here is what we can agree on: Romney nailed it. He was assertive, competent, gracious and authoritative. Heck, even I liked him (yep, can you believe that?!). Unlike Shrub (George W. to many of you) who made me wince every time he opened his mouth, Romney was statesman-like. He used big words, had big ideas, and made me feel, that at the very least if he does become president, he wouldn’t be railroaded by the likes of a Cheney or a Rove.

Obama? He was as he always is: smart, thoughtful, considered, restrained. In debates, these qualities might not win the day. Running the country? They are essential. Continue reading

Aimee: Denver Debate Clarified the Choices, No Spin Needed

Last night at my house we turned on the television five minutes before the start of the first presidential debate, watched the match in its entirety on C-SPAN, and turned it off the moment it concluded.

We didn’t need to get the spin because we witnessed what really happened. Continue reading