The Shire’s debate non-live blog

It’s already apparent that there are going to be several dominant themes in this debate so I’ve decided to cover this debate thematically rather than question-by-question.

Theme 1: Be as vague as possible

Both candidates have been remarkably vague this debate. This is not remarkable for Obama, since he was astonishingly vague last debate. Romney’s vagueness is interesting since he was more specific last debate (bafflingly so, since some of his specific policies were not in line wit his stated ones on the trail).

Oh never mind, Romney once again is breaking out unannounced plans in the middle of the debate. I think this is a shrewd strategy. Few are going to check on these policies and it makes it hard for Obama to prepare for these plans.

Theme 2: Way more antagonistic

Romney certainly was antagonistic last debate, and Obama let Romney walk all over him. This debate, Obama has been far more assertive, and Romney has countered by being even more assertive. Both sides calling each other liars already. Obama seems to be making an effort to still appear presidential. I think Romney is overplaying his hand however. Interrupting the moderator never looks good.

Theme 3: Obama isn’t looking down and writing all the time.

Which means he’s already doing better than last debate, because that was some damn inexplicably terrible body language. I think the lack of a podium has greatly changed the dynamic of the debate as well. Both candidates have stood up and physically interacted with one another which has been interesting to watch. I think Obama needs to hold back a bit though.

Theme 4: Talking about what they want to do

The candidates have spent large amounts of their speeches talking about what they would like to do, and less about what they would actually do. This is not surprising at all of course, because we’re living in campaign fantasyland, but still.

Theme 5: Obama is long winded

Last debate Obama managed to talk for longer and say less. This time he is talking for much longer amounts of time and saying about as much as Romney. Obama is far less incomprehensible than last debate, but I really really wish he would tighten up his statements, and stop saying “now” every 15 seconds. He also needs to stop pausing inexplicably mid-response.

Theme 6: Romney attacks the Obama record every single question

Romney went through a phase where he decided attacking the Obama record at every turn would not work, but now the race has tightened such that Romney apparently feels that that strategy will work again. Meanwhile, Obama has been talking about Bush as much as he possibly can.

I think the recovery of the economy could pose interesting challenges to this Romney plan for election success.

Theme 7: Uglier clothing

In both previous debates, the democrat wore a blue tie and the republican wore a red tie. This debate, Obama is rocking the red and Romney the blue. Both ties are uglier than some of the previous four.

Theme 8: Two different characterizations of the opponent

It’s frankly astonishing that Romney might lose this election given how crappy the economy has been. Romney has been characterizing Obama as a good person who doesn’t have the skills for the job and Obama has characterized Romney as a bloated plutocrat. It’s a testament to disparity in charisma that Romney has to praise Obama’s character while Romney is freely attacking Romney.

Theme 9: Moderator calling Romney out on his bullshit

Candy has been asking pointed questions to Romney that are just calling him out on some really BS statements. It’s baffling that she’s doing Obama’s work for him, but it is certainly entertaining when the moderator, who is a voice of authority in these debates is openly noting that a candidate’s record is completely incompatible with what he’s saying.

Theme 10: Interrupting the moderator

Both candidates have done this multiple times. It has looked AWFUL every time. In fact, when the candidate interrupts the other candidate it also looks awful.