It was lively. It was back-and-forth, and for a moment, it gave Big Bird a perch atop the Twitter universe.
The first of three presidential debates created buzz for millions of Americans, who finally got to see Barack Obama and Mitt Romney face off in a discussion that ranged from trillion-dollar tax cuts to a fleeting moment about Sesame Street. This Wednesday night debate at the University of Denver was the first of three, with the night's focus on the economy and domestic policy.
President Obama was seen as the favorite heading into the debate. But after, some believe Gov. Romney emerged as the more aggressive -- and perhaps more impressive -- of the two, while the President played it safe, working to hold a lead like a boxer ahead on points.
Ron Fournier of the National Journal said Obama suffered from the "curse of incumbency." Others will say Romney could still be haunted by his "47 percent" comment while also appearing to not deliver enough specifics on his plans.
Romney, already in Denver, told a cheering crowd Monday night, "In my view it's not so much winning and losing or even the people themselves, the president and myself - it's about something bigger than that,” reported the Associated Press.
He also told supporters he would get America working again. "Jobs is job one under my administration," Romney said, debuting a new line midway through his standard campaign speech.
"President Obama is the most gifted speaker in modern political history," said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul to ABC in an effort to lower expectations about the Republican candidate's upcoming performance.
Comments like that led President Obama to respond with a humble assessment of his own skills: "Gov. Romney is a good debater. I'm just OK," he said.
However, many analysts said that Governor Romney had given a solid performance, providing specifics and specifically critiquing the past four years of the Obama presidency.
Others stated President Obama had not come prepared, and even looked disengaged during the first half hour. Another CNN panelist said that “Romney was able to out-Obama Obama,” and that Romney brought up topics Obama was unprepared to discuss.
The next debate is scheduled at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, while the debate on foreign policy is scheduled at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.
So tell us in the comments, who do you think gave the better debate performance? What were some standout moments for you?
