Instant Twitter Reaction to the Second Presidential Debate: The Town Hall

We’ll see if these two tweets from the VP debate hold up true again.  I really think both candidates lose when they violate these ideas:

Regarding the view of Undecideds on CNN holding dials that go up and down depending on how they view the answers:

• Kristen Soltis ‏@KLSoltis  Every time Ryan talks about a plan with concrete ideas, squiggles go through the roof.
• Kristen Soltis ‏@KLSoltis  Anytime either guy goes negative, not so much. Voters want plans, not punches.

Post-Town Hall debate reactions:

• EdMorrissey ‏@EdMorrissey  Ron Fournier calls it a draw at National Journal http://nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/who-won-the-debate-obama-romney-tie-in-presidential-showdown-20121016 … Inclined to agree.
• Greta Van Susteren ‏@gretawire   Pres Obama got about 3 minutes more talk time and the last word
• Jonah Goldberg ‏@JonahNRO   CNN undecided lines loved Obama’s answer until he brought up 47%. Then they all went down.
• McKay Coppins ‏@mckaycoppins  Sununu in the spin room: “The president quite often is a liar.”
• Kristen Soltis ‏@KLSoltis  This is the game that ends in a tie but all anyone will talk about is the pick-6 in the 3rd quarter.
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  Obama was having decent debate until Libya exchange. Surprisingly, that played into his favor – he grabbed his moment. #debates
• Mike Memoli ‏@mikememoli  . @SavannahGuthrie nails it: Obama wanted to “re-disqualify Romney.”
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Gergen on Romney: “He looks much more like he could be a president than he did 2 weeks ago.”
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Obama needed a big night &he certainly did not retrogress. #Romney clearly agitated, off his game a bit, econ msg strong #NBCPolitics
• Adrian Gray ‏@adrian_gray  Bottom line: Same Romney from 1st debate, but improved Obama. No doubt.
• Peter Hamby ‏@PeterHambyCNN  Romney adviser Ron Kaufman on tonight: “You don’t always hit home runs … but a long single home run is good too”
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  $1mil Q? How will women voters respond to agitated #Romney and aggressive #Obama ? #NBCPolitics
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Schmidt now telling MSNBC that Obama did better but won’t stop Romney momentum.
• Gabriel Malor ‏@gabrielmalor  Be honest, you wrote this yesterday. RT @frates: Who Won the Debate? Obama, Romney Tie in Presidential Showdown http://njour.nl/WwSHhs
• A. J. Delgado ‏@missADelgado  Fox News analyst: “Romney told Obama to go sit back down, “u’ll have your turn,” & Obama did. You could see Obama immediately regretted it.”
• Jon Ward ‏@jonward11  Portman says Obama “was even more annoying than I was” in debate prep [On NBC network TV]
• Mark Halperin ‏@MarkHalperin  Hofstra debate grades: Obama B- ; Romney C. Full report cards coming soon on http://thepage.time.com
• Joe Scarborough ‏@JoeNBC  Romney wins the 1st debate. Obama wins tonight by a closer margin. The Thrilla in Boca may decide it all.
• Ben Smith ‏@BuzzFeedBen  Romney did, again, come away looking like a guy who could be president, which is probably the most important thing.
• Erin Burnett ‏@ErinBurnett  Post-debate Bottomline: if you had to vote tonight? #obama picked up 7 votes, #romney 5 at focus group #cnndebates
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Not so sure Obama should want media talking about his response to Libya for a few more days, though.
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  I say this debate marginally increases Americans’ entirely justified hatred for politicians, but that’s about it.
• National Journal Headline: In Second Debate, Obama Survives to Fight Another Day [Not exactly an overwhelming endorsement]
• Tucker Carlson ‏@TuckerCarlson  Her many friends in the press will claim otherwise, but honestly when was the last time you saw someone do a worse job moderating a debate?
• Kasie Hunt ‏@kasie  RT @JanCBS: CBS instant poll of uncommitted voters: 37 percent said Obama won debate; 30 percent said Romney. A third called it a tie.
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Obama did a lot tonight, and some good things politically, but contra Axelrod, he did not do a good job laying out a second term agenda.
• Jon Ward ‏@jonward11  interesting. focus group of Walmart Moms in Brookfield, Wisconsin is unanimous on debate: it was a draw
• James Pethokoukis ‏@JimPethokoukis At its core, the Obama thesis replicates Tim Geitner’s infamous “We don’t have a solution. We just don’t like yours.”
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Jindal is bringing it on CNN
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  Btw, this debate was much heavier on talking points. Substance was there but both candidates slipped into comfort words too easily
• Mickey Kaus ‏@kausmickey  Here is Glenn Kessler saying there’s a “world of difference” between what O said and actually saying it was terror http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/from-video-to-terrorist-attack-a-definitive-timeline-of-administration-statements-on-the-libya-attack/2012/09/26/86105782-0826-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_blog.html …
• Ted Newton ‏@Ted_Newton  Wash. Post fact-check: White House refused to portray Libya attack as terrorism for weeks “for political reasons” http://wapo.st/VKRtxO
• Ben Domenech ‏@bdomenech  RT @BuzzFeedAndrew: Jay Carney dodged on 9/14 when asked if Libya was terrorist attack: Said started over a video http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/white-house-press-secretary-in-a-bind-on-libya …
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Krauthammer says Crowley “contaminated” the debate by incorrectly intervening on Libya answer.
• Dan McLaughlin ‏@baseballcrank  Basically, what you hear from liberals on Libya tonight is “we got away with it.”
• Dan McLaughlin ‏@baseballcrank  That can’t be bad news for Mitt RT @sunnyright CBS INSTA-POLL: 65% say Romney won on issue of economy, compared to 34% who say Obama.
• Sean Davis ‏@seanmdav  Look at this, from September 27: “Obama Administration Finally Admits That the Libya Attack Was Terrorism”: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/09/obama-administration-finally-admits-libya-attack-was-terrorism/57323/ …. Huh.
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  RT @sethmnookin: Awesome. http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com
• Jonah Goldberg ‏@JonahNRO   I understand Wolf & Co. need to congratulate their colleague. And I’m actually a fan of Candy Crowley. But she didn’t do great.
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Joe Trippi: “I don’t think it’s going to change the dynamics of the race.”
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  Again, instant debate snap polls are worth about as much as #NBA preseason games played 2nite
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Luntz focus group LOVING Romney.
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Nice. Luntz focus group just said Obama’s been “bullshitting the public” unbleeped on Fox.
• Jon Ward ‏@jonward11  That same Milwaukee focus group was, before debate, 6 for Romney, 7 for Obama, & 7 undecided. After, it was 7/9/4
• Kasie Hunt ‏@kasie  RT @CharlesDharapak PHOTO: Mitt & Ann Romney kiss as President Obama walks at end of debate at Hofstra University pic.twitter.com/dTgldK82
• Sean Davis ‏@seanmdav  NH UnionLeader (9/23): “WH spokesman Jay Carney finally uttered the word the WH had been careful to avoid: terrorist.” http://www.unionleader.com/article/20120923/OPINION01/709239894&source=RSS …
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein don’t expect even a sliver of GOP soul-searching after this #debates, even if media consensus is Obama victory. both sides lots to like.
• Ted Newton ‏@Ted_Newton  MUST-READ: “Obama’s Shifting Account Of The Benghazi Attack” http://mi.tt/TuaVv4  #debates
• Sam Feist ‏@SamFeistCNN  Who won debate? CNN-ORC poll of debate watchers: Obama 46%, Romney 39%. Margin of error: +/- 4.5%. Basically a draw. #CNNDebates
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Yup MT @AriFleischer: CNN poll 25% more likely vote for Obama; 25% more likely for Rom. Most voters unchanged. Like I said, it’s a draw.
• KingPimpPaulRyan ‏@AceofSpadesHQ  CNN Confirms CBS: 58-40% in Romney’s favor on Economy; 49-46 R on health care; 51-44 R on taxes; 59-36 R on Deficit.

Begin tweets from the start of tonight’s Town Hall Debate:

• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  1st #Hofdebate Q from 20 yr old college kid about post-grad job prospects: What can you say to reassure me and more importantly my parents?
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO   I hear Portman is all about from-the-trail stories in prep. Encourages Romney to personalize the argument.
• Rick Wilson ‏@TheRickWilson   Nice lead with a personal anecdote, bridge to message.
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Romney leads w/ PA. IT’S UP FOR GRABS. #buckscounty
• Rich Lowry ‏@RichLowry  lots of sympathizing, not much policy in that answer
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  “When do you graduate?” Nice Romney touch.
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  Romney first answer mentions an accomplishment in MA – going to hear a lot about that tonight. #debates
• Matt Margolis ‏@mattmargolis  Because college kids go into manufacturing jobs? #debates
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Obama looks a little mad.
• devindwyer ‏@devindwyer  No hello from Obama. No greeting to the questioner or Candy.
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Those two answers were a giant nothing sandwich with a side order of zilch.
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  POTUS waits 30 secs before bringing up auto bailout &”let Detroit go bankrupt” line. Both Romney/Obama jam ALL talking points in 1st answer
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Obama is trying to make this big pic. Roads, bridges, schools. Romney stayed on the kid’s question. Different style.
• Stuart Rothenberg ‏@StuPolitics  Jeremy may not want to work in a GM plant.
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  BTW, neither candidate bothered to ask what Jeremy wanted his degree in; or was thinking about job wise
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  Romney lands first jab, hitting Obama (sort of?) on auto industry bankruptcy. Obama: “what Gov. Romney said just isn’t true.” #debates
• Major Garrett ‏@MajoratNJ  Obama skips pleasantries and thank yous, goes straight to Romney on auto bailout and hits student loans, education spending. #Hofdebate
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Voters not digging the negativity, says the CNN squiggle.
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Obama is going class warfare early. We didn’t hear that much in first debate. Obama’s “one point plan” sounds a lot like Romney & 1 percent
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  um, think Obama is more aggressive tonight? Just a little, maybe. Lighting into Romney jobs plan and biz record. #debates
• Zac Moffatt ‏@ZacMoffatt  RT @Ted_Newton: BOOM –> Romney: When you say I wanted to take the auto industry bankrupt – YOU ACTUALLY DID. #debates
• Timothy P Carney ‏@TPCarney  Again, Obama let Detroit go bankrupt, largely following the plan Romney laid out in the “let Detroit go bankrupt” oped. http://washingtonexaminer.com/obama-did-let-detroit-go-bankrupt/article/2507182#.UH4E4ml2618 …
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree Question to Obama on high energy prices – President runs down his administration record
• Jon Ward ‏@jonward11  Obama needs to smile more
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  Gas prices — classic issue we journalists DON’T ask about enough but real people care about.
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  big long Obama answer on gas prices that didn’t address, well, gas prices. #debates
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  Steven Chu, in Sept 2008: “Somehow, we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.” Obama dodges.
• Willie Geist ‏@WillieGeist  We’re two-for-two here on good Long Island accents. Let’s keep the streak going. #StrongIsland
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Romney’s command of detail on this energy answer is much better than Obama’s straw men.
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Romney hits Obama for bringing “criminal action against people drilling for oil” in Bakken oil fields over 20-25 birds killed.
• Mike Memoli ‏@mikememoli  Romney: “Let’s look at the president’s policies as opposed to the rhetoric.”
• John Hayward ‏@Doc_0  Romney points out none of additional oil production came on fed land, that production is DOWN. Bravo.
• Jon Ward ‏@jonward11  Romney looks at Obama: “This has not been Mr oil or Mr. coal or Mr. gas.”
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Obama again blasts Romney: “very little of what Governor Romney just said is true”
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  Obama on defense on energy. Romney w/strong, responsive answer. People care more about gas prices than clean energy fights w/China.
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Romney makes strong push for coal and Keystone pipeline and tying it to middle class jobs growth #Ohio #NBCPolitics
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Obama’s 1-pt plan line pre-planned. His camp emails: Romney’s 1-Point Plan: 1 Set Of Rules For Him & His Friends, Another For Everyone Else
• James Pethokoukis ‏@JimPethokoukis  It’s getting real!
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  The alpha v alpha moment just now. First TV highlight clip
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Wow, Romney is playing the teacher, and Obama is engaging.
• Jon Ralston ‏@RalstonReports  “Not true, Governor Romney.” This is a debate! Good job by @CrowleyCNN letting them go.
• Rich Lowry ‏@RichLowry  wow
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Hee hee hee! Romney: “You’ll get your chance in a moment. I’m still speaking.” Obama backs away sheepishly.
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Romney says cost of gas was $1.86 four years ago here in New York, now it’s “over 4 bucks a gallon”
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Obama says low gas prices four years ago were because the economy was collapsing
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  Romney fans will think what he just did to POTUS was great; POTUS folks will say Romney was rude; will swing voters like the confrontation?
• Major Garrett ‏@MajoratNJ Standoff city. Face-to-face. And over gas prices. Empty chairs have new meaning. It’s that candidates are toe-to-toe. #Hofdebate
• Rich Lowry ‏@RichLowry  who wld have guessed romney wld be the more aggressive of the two?
• Rick Wilson ‏@TheRickWilson  “I’m all for pipelines” except for…you know, Keystone
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  This debate might actually be a little too unstructured.
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Wind jobs is tough for Romney in IA – he is on the record for opposing the extension of the wind tax credit, which some say will cost jobs.
• Mike Memoli ‏@mikememoli  Per AAA, national avg price of gas peaked at $4.11 in July ’08. Was $1.84 when Obama took office. Current avg $3.77
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree Obama certainly has been more energetic tonight, but Romney hasn’t disappointed his backers either at this point
• Ben Domenech ‏@bdomenech  RT @RyanLEllis: Under Romney tax plan, a family of four earning $70k would save $1100 in taxes: http://bit.ly/RikeP9
• Sam Stein ‏@samsteinhp  just like obama ducked the stephen chu related question, romney talking around this one on what happens to specific deductions
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  Romney and the tax credit bucket — first time he used $17K, tonight it’s $25K
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Good detailed succint answer from Romney on taxes considering he’s unwilling to give details.
• Mike Memoli ‏@mikememoli  Romney invokes @JoeBiden: Middle class has “been buried”
• Erin Burnett ‏@ErinBurnett  Focus group HATES the fighting over who will talk, and lowest scores are when candidates go negative. #cnndebates
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  “I will not under any circumstances raise taxes on the middle class.” Romney
• Eye on Politics ‏@EyeOnPolitics  Romney says NO tax on capital gains, interest, dividends for middle class. Obama smirking. #debate
• Rick Wilson ‏@TheRickWilson  yes RT @BrucePurple: Romney at his best on taxes and economy.
• John McCormack ‏@McCormackJohn  Say, isn’t this the tax plan Obama campaigned on 4 years ago? Didn’t he have Dem majorities for 2 years? What happened?
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Obama trying to use debt to his advantage, selling 250K and below as “Romney ‘s allies holding 98% hostage to the 2%” #nbcpolitics
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Romney gets testy when O blasts hits tax plan. Did so in Denver, doing so again.
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  This debate is more contentious but less substantive so far
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Romney pushing back well by tying lower taxes to jobs. #nbcpolitics
• Kasie Hunt ‏@kasie  RT @AshleyRParker: Picture of the debate? RT @hunterschwarz: Romney and Obama playing chicken. http://twitpic.com/b4ty91
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Romney makes an appeal to women voters: “There are 3.5 M more women living in poverty today than when the president took office.”
• Rich Lowry ‏@RichLowry  romney not sitting down
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Romney’s bland vanilla-ness makes him seem less angry when he’s angry.
• Mike Memoli ‏@mikememoli  Obama invokes Romney’s 14% tax rate. “We haven’t heard from the governor any specifics other than Big Bird” & Planned Parenthood
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  Obama on Romney tax plan: “sketchy deal… the math doesn’t add up.” #debates
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Obama calls #Romney economic plan a “sketchy deal.” Doing all he can to get under Mitt’s skin, studied Teddy Kennedy tape #nbcpolitics
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  Obama says “you can’t buy this sales pitch.” That’s a summation of Obama argument so far tonight. #debates
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Romney smacks Obama, saying $5 trillion in deficits “doesn’t add up”
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Romney’s “Welllll, no, it’s not,” sounded a bit like Reagan. That low voice.
• Sean Davis ‏@seanmdav  Obama double-counted tax cut “costs,” then lectured on math. You can’t add Bush tax cuts to Romney’s b/c Romney’s plan supercedes them.
• Mark Joyella ‏@standupkid  Do not let this end. RT @ZekeJMiller: Best. Debate. Ever.
• Major Garrett ‏@MajoratNJ  Same Romney as first debate, totally different Obama….POTUS tonight much more like he was in ’08 debates – tough on facts, framing.

• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Romney on his tax plan #s: “Of course they add up. I was someone who ran businesses for 25 years and balanced the budgets…”
• Gabriel Malor ‏@gabrielmalor  Yup. RT @jpfreire: FYI, Obama pays women less. #truefact #debate
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  Lay-up question for #Obama on women’s pay. Lilly Ledbetter time followed by a turn to VAWA I suspect #nbcpolitics
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  Well, that question must have made the president smile; this is an undecided voter?
• mike murphy ‏@murphymike  Undecided about voting D absentee or at polls. RT @chucktodd: that question must have made the president smile; this is an undecided voter?
• Sean Davis ‏@seanmdav  Women who work in the Obama White House earn 18 percent less than their male colleagues: http://news.yahoo.com/democrats-focus-equal-pay-issue-while-obama-white-051807703.html ….
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  While that Q was a gift to Obama; Romney playing his best card on this front; his record on appointing women is impressive
• Kristen Soltis ‏@KLSoltis  This anecdote started off making me nervous and ended awesome. CNN’s women focus group participants love it.
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Romney talking about creating a flexible workplace for women/mothers while he was Gov of MA.
• Ben Smith ‏@BuzzFeedBen  Video: Romney cuts Obama off http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/romney-cuts-obama-off …
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Obama is much more versed on his camp’s oppo/strategy. Clearly prepped. Denver was like a Frost poem. Random walk thru woods. This is not.
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  Obama: Romney is OK w/politicians making health care decisions for women. Romney shld answer: Pres is OK w/politicians deciding for everyone
• Sam Feist ‏@SamFeistCNN  Look at CNN Focus Group: Women love Romney’s answer on pay equity. More than men. #CNNUndecideds
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Obama makes play to contraception coverage talking women’s health. Hows that play with suburban #Catholic moms?
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  Wow — two questions in a row that the Obama campaign is ecstatic got asked
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  “I’m an undecided voter” but woman says she’s worried Romney might be too much like George W. Bush
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Romney now runs down laundry list of differences he has with the Bush Administration
• Alex Burns ‏@aburnspolitico  “I’ll crack down on China. President Bush didn’t … I’m going to get us to a balanced budget. President Bush didn’t.”
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  This is perhaps the most important question Romney answers tonight: can he make case he’s different from Bush
• Jon Ralston ‏@RalstonReports  RT @RichLowry: key moment: romney says an obama criticism of bush was right. shld have said it long ago
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Romney: keeping Bush answer on policy. Smart. Doesn’t alienate base, but shows swing voters that he’s not 43
• Jeff Greenfield ‏@greenfield64  A rare sharp town hall question, on Bush–that both challenges Romney and gives him a chance for distance with Bush…
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO Last 15 mins: W, female pay, W.
• Michael F. Cannon ‏@mfcannon  Good how Romney turned the Bush question into an #ObamaCare answer. More, please. #debate
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  So Romney sort of critiques Bush; Obama praises him; Oh boy, here we go
• Major Garrett ‏@MajoratNJ  Romney says George W. Bush was weak on China, Latin America trade, deficits and small business. Hits Obama on deficits bigger than Bush.
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  The where’s the “hope and change” Q for Obama though not has roughly worded as the Bush Q to Romney
• Robert A George ‏@RobGeorge  YES!!! The one undecided black person in Nassau County!
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  Indeed it was. RT: @ChuckLane1 This is good brisk defense of his record from Obama #debate
• Charles C. W. Cooke ‏@charlescwcooke  These are not undecided voters, they’re disillusioned Democrats.
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Obama is loving this. Stump lines, mini-speeches, and Bush chatter.
• devindwyer ‏@devindwyer  Three questions in a row that Obama Camp must be thrilled about: equal pay for women; difference with Bush; 1st term accomplishments
• LorieByrd ‏@LorieByrd  CNN time clock shows Obama 25:08 and @MittRomney 19:49. #debates #townhall #tcot
• Rich Lowry ‏@RichLowry  this is the crux of the debate–obama says romney policies have been tried and failed; romney says obama policies have been tried and failed
• Rich Lowry ‏@RichLowry  excellent romney answer on obama’s false promises, and just right for this questioner
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Romney strong here reeling off the econ stats favorable to him. Part of the stump speech comes through fired up. #nbcpolitics
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Just a gut feeling, but Romney with this even-tempered, teacher-style approach is better than the testy rules guy
• Rich Lowry ‏@RichLowry  “the president has tried”–the crux of the romney case (and the obama case, too!)
• Ari Fleischer ‏@AriFleischer  This soft spoken listing of O’s broken promises is devastatingly effective.
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  RT @nationaljournal: TRANSCRIPT: Presidential debate (so far, will update) http://njour.nl/XlbhIM  #Hofdebate
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  And there’s ANOTHER question the Obama campaign will be happy got asked. #immigration
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  This Q will lead Telemundo and Univision newscasts
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Romney has settled in a bit more. Less Candy complaints, less stares. Better.
• Mike Memoli ‏@mikememoli  Romney: Obama promised immigration reform in first year but didn’t deliver, even with Dem Congress
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  RT: @DouthatNYT: Media rarely acknowledges it, but this type of moderate restrictionism/support for legal immigration is a political winner.
• Ron Fournier ‏@ron_fournier  Hate to say this, Internets, but this looks like a draw to me. Both candidates scoring points and turning off independent voters
• Ellen Carmichael ‏@ellencarmichael  CNN focus group LOVING this @MittRomney answer on immigration. Dial testing results are off the charts. Didn’t see that coming.
• Brian Stelter ‏@brianstelter  Sounds like a lot of pundits are going to call this a tie/a draw. Thus raising the stakes for the 3rd/final debate.
• Mike Memoli ‏@mikememoli  Similar approaches: Obama compares general election Romney to primary election Romney. Romney compares Obama promises to Obama record
• Rick Wilson ‏@TheRickWilson  That was Mitt giving Candy the back of his hand. Booya.
• Marc Caputo ‏@MarcACaputo  Flag on Obama: Romney didn’t call the AZ “check-your-papers” law a model for nation. Mitt said that of E-Verify mandate
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  Obama: “I don’t look at my pension – it’s not as big as yours.” Don’t misspell pension, people. #debates
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Romney attacking #Obama for not bringing up immigration reform in year 1 then pivots to his blind trust
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  “Mr. President, I’m still speaking.” Candy tells him to “make it short.”
• Alberto Martinez ‏@albertemartinez  Pretty much everything President Obama has said during this immigration exchange is a verifiable lie.
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Romney on immigration: “I’ll get it done (immigration reform). First year.”
• Kristy Campbell ‏@kristymcampbell  Politifact has called President Obama’s attack on Governor Romney’s position on the Arizona immigration law: “FALSE.” http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2012/jul/17/barack-obama/barack-obama-says-mitt-romney-calls-arizona-immigr/ …
• Jon Ward ‏@jonward11  wow. high and tight on libya
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  68 minutes in – a Libya Q. #hofdebate
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  Pres Obama uses same three talking points on Libya action that SecState Clinton used.
• Jon Ralston ‏@RalstonReports  Obama thought bubble: “Who let this guy in here to ask that question?”
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  “You don’t turn national security into a political issue. I was just saying this while I was shooting Bin Laden in the face.” — Obama
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  Obama is talking Libya and making it about… Romney’s late-night statement.
• Chuck Todd ‏@chucktodd  Obama changes his tone on Libya question; almost defiant in tone
• Mark Hemingway ‏@Heminator  Nice jiu-jitsu by Mitt — “I think the President does take credit for that failure.”
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO Smart of Romney to talk about the families. Obama just made this political, Romney pulled it back.
• Kevin Baron ‏@FPBaron  Obama: “I am ultimately responsible” #Libya // … so that settles that, right, Right? Oh, right.
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Romney: “On the day following the assassination of the U.S. Ambassador…the President…flies to Las Vegas for a political fundraiser.”
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  “I think you have to ask yourself five days later why we didn’t know.” Romney on Susan Rice and Libya.
• Benjy Sarlin ‏@BenjySarlin  Romney actually has huge upper hand on this issue at moment, but doesn’t seem to be pinning Obama down on any one element of Libya
• Rick Klein ‏@rickklein  Obama putting a nice bow on his Libya answer. “Offensive” to suggest politics involved in Benghazi situation. #debates
• Charles C. W. Cooke ‏@charlescwcooke  Disastrous on Libya. Romney should have nailed him and said, “it is not your role to be outraged when you’re responsible.”
• Sean Davis ‏@seanmdav  Obama said “No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation.” He did NOT say Stevens’ murder was a terrorist attack.
• Robert Costa ‏@robertcostaNRO  I bet Team Romney doesn’t like Candy’s fact-checking right there, or the move away from the town-hall questioners… More tk in spin rm?
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  #Obama hints he doesn’t like AK47’s on streets but won’t call 4 total ban, says it’s more of a societal issue, catch impulsives b4 they ocur
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Romney now segues into Operation Fast & Furious
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  If Romney hadn’t so badly fouled up his Libya answer, Pres Obama urging Crowley to move off of Libya would have been moment of debate.
• Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert  ON guns #Romney going down old Moynihan route saying #USA needs more married families, stronger parenting to cut down on delinquency
• Jonah Goldberg ‏@JonahNRO  Thank goodness this debate is in such a vital swing state and these voters are a pivotal bloc. Oh wait.
• Jon Ward ‏@jonward11  Wow, Candy Crowley going completely rogue here
• Stephen Hayes ‏@stephenfhayes  When Obama was asked directly on “The View” whether Libya was a terrorist attack he didn’t answer.
• Jon Ralston ‏@RalstonReports  Outsourcing!! Poor Mitt. This is like a debate taking place at a Democratic Central Committee meeting where they let one Republican in.
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Shorter Romney: I’m not going to go all protectionist on China, no matter how much dumb voters want this. Shorter Obama: Me neither.
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Dems now flooding spin room floor – first out of the gate tonight after GOP flooded floor immediately after 1st debate.
• Kristen Soltis ‏@KLSoltis  Romney’s answer on what we can do to help US businesses compete got a good reception from the CNN group.
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Hard to imagine anything but both parties declaring victory about tonight’s debate
• Rick Wilson ‏@TheRickWilson  Romney’s answers on China are tuned into voters in OH, PA, MI, WI.
• Peter Hamby ‏@PeterHambyCNN  This is a ridiculous picture of the spin room action starting before the debate is even over > http://yfrog.com/obepxlxfj
• Kyle Smith ‏@rkylesmith  Obama mentions “reporters” as argument from authority, CNN squiggles nosedive. Hee hee.
• Matt Moon ‏@alaskan  WaPo says Romney argument on oil & gas production on public lands is TRUE. http://is.gd/QU4gQT  #debate
• LorieByrd ‏@LorieByrd  CNN time check – Obama 41:00 Romney 37:54. #debates #tcot #townhall
• Jonathan S. Tobin ‏@TobinCommentary  Romney gets opening to continue his China trade war theme. CNN meter likes it. #debates
• Political Math ‏@politicalmath  You keep saying “undecided” voters. I do not think this means what you think it means.
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Romney uses last question to address the 47% remark, which reminds me – it was never brought up again today
• Sarah Huisenga ‏@SarahH_CBSNJ  Romney surrogates have now also flooded the floor. #hofdebate pic.twitter.com/KK1UHkCn
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  This may have been the best question because it was open ended, and not really about a specific policy
• Adrian Gray ‏@adrian_gray  Obama: “jobs aren’t coming back”…I am assuming he didn’t mean to say that.
• Jamie Dupree ‏@jamiedupree  Romney: “We don’t have to settle” for economic record of the last four years
• nickgillespie ‏@nickgillespie  Jesus H Christ, as bad as R & O are, the questioners have a lot to answer for.
• NY Post Opinion ‏@NYPostOpinion  Smart move by Romney: Pre-empts “47 Percent” attack by saying “I believe in 100 percent of the American people.” #POTUSdebate #hofstra
• Kristen Soltis ‏@KLSoltis  Obama brings up 47% and the focus group line dips low. Just like it did for Biden.
• John Podhoretz ‏@jpodhoretz  Debate will end with Obama having 10 percent more time than Romney.