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What I'll Be Watching for in Tonight's Presidential Debate

There's a debate tonight.

Woohoo! And all that. If you've not been breathing politics for the last two years like I have, maybe you'll come around to the idea that we're a month away from a Presidential election. Tonight's the first debate between incumbent President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Governor Mitt Romney.

(I hate that call-them-governor-forever thing. But I promise, if I ever mess it up it's because I was lazy or made a mistake, not because I was being hateful.)

What do I want tonight? A little substance, please. I am so tired of being told what I'm supposed to think. Lay out real issues and let me decide for myself based on the candidate answers.

A little honesty will go a long way. Did either candidate really mess something up in the past? Own it. Show me you know how to dig your way out instead of wallowing in self pity and succumbing to the human instinct to point a finger at someone else.

I swear, if Obama uses any form of "I inherited this mess" I will refuse to vote for him.

(Ok, come on. At least one of you can chuckle at that. Both because you know full well where I stand on this one and you also know he'll use that line.)

I shall not be participating in any form of any drinking game for tonight's debate as I will be watching it at the Rosebud Theater in Wauwatosa with a Patch crowd. Besides drinking and then driving is a no-no and I will need to get myself home, I have also been warned I should be on my best behavior tonight. Gee. Like that's going to be any fun.

Oh, and from Romney I need one really good Reaganesque line. I always loved, "Well there you go again." I'd like Romney to come up with something along the lines of "President Obama, I will not let you get away with lying to the American people like that." Because you can bet Obama will try.

I need a Romney that is on fire. Give me some of the passion young Romney had when he dragged a stick through the sand to send his sweetheart photos proclaiming his devotion. Yeah. Like that. Every middle-aged housewife deserves a good falling-in-love now and then.

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Cindy Kilkenny October 4, 2012 at 02:13 am
Oh my gosh, that was so much fun! We'll hash it over tomorrow.
Steve ® October 4, 2012 at 02:20 am
Obama is finished. America won tonight.
Luke October 4, 2012 at 03:15 am
What? You're leaving us hanging?
Cindy Kilkenny October 4, 2012 at 03:18 am
:)
I'm old. I'm tired. It'll all be here tomorrow.
Luke October 4, 2012 at 03:21 am
My wife and daughter went to bed too. What's become of Republican women?
Luke October 4, 2012 at 11:06 am
Arianna Huffington has spoken on CNBC:
"Last night was a game-changer."
C. Sanders October 4, 2012 at 11:19 am
Obama was an absolute amateur in the debate. The same amateur that the mainstream media adored and was left at the altar last night by the groom.
GearHead October 4, 2012 at 11:35 am
see what an unfiltered message does for Romney? He was on fire!
http://twitchy.com/2012/10/03/undecided-voters-in-focus-group-swing-sharply-toward-romney-frank-luntz-ive-never-seen-anything-like-this/
Cindy Kilkenny October 4, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@gearhead - thanks for the Luntz link. I'd run across that on twitter last night and am glad to find my way back to it again this morning.
Just starting through the post-debate chatter out there this morning. Soooo much interesting stuff!
Jen McFarland October 4, 2012 at 04:05 pm
Cindy, you stayed up longer than I did and you know darn good and well that while I feel like an old lady, I'm not... yet.
The debate was GREAT! I think it brought out the true colors of both candidates and dare I say may have been the shot in the arm of all the fence sitters out there. Hell, my neighbor across the hall who has no right or left affiliation said he was very impressed with Mitt's ideas and the way he carried himself. Basically he made that debate his bitch. I know OUR household was mighty proud and impressed!! :)
Cindy Kilkenny October 4, 2012 at 04:09 pm
You clever, clever girl. I don't suppose you'd hang around my kids a little more and let some of that seep in, would you?
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Linda Wickstrom June 8, 2013 at 08:28 pm
Over the past several years, there have been several youth from throughout the world who haveRead More attended high school for one academic year in the Elmbrook School District through the Rotary youth exchange program. It is a tremendous opportunity for growth by the young adult, as well as the host family! If you have even the slightest bit of interest, I'd encourage you to contact Bill Petterson from the Elmbrook Rotary. It's a long-standing international program with many checks and balances so the experience is beneficial for all concerned.
Tom Pyne June 10, 2013 at 09:17 am
We hosted a high school girl from Thailand three years ago and we continue that friendship with herRead More and her family. Not only do you, as a host family give a young person from another country a better understanding of America and Americans, but you learn about the perspectives and viewpoints of people from a totally different culture. It opens up our world view. If you have never hosted, do it!
Walker celebrates after defeating the liberal unionista blue fisters
Walker June 10, 2013 at 10:13 am
I believe your first 4 words. After that your credibilty dramatically falls off. The only "beatRead More down" received was by the middle & low income class of Wisconsinites. "As governor, I will sign legislation to prohibit the members of the State Legislature from voting after 10:00 at night or before 9:00 in the morning. This commonsense reform ensures the public has the opportunity to contact elected representatives about their votes on any pending legislation important to them. I have two teenagers and I tell them that nothing good happens after midnight. That's even more true in politics. The people of Wisconsin deserve to know what their elected leaders are voting on." --Scott Walker
Steve ® June 10, 2013 at 10:54 am
Cry more. The temper tantrum never ends. I hear Illinois has a few hotel rooms you guys can bunkerRead More down in while you hold drum circles. Walker to sign low and middle class tax cuts. Oh what a beat down.
Walker June 10, 2013 at 11:09 am
http://wpcarey.asu.edu/bluechip/jobgrowth/secure_states.cfmRead More http://truth-out.org/news/item/16729-walkers-dismal-jobs-agenda-gets-a-gold-star-in-alecs-rich-states-poor-states-report keep drinking the tea & goose stepping.