As I watch the debate for a second time, with the sound turned on for the middle half

[rufus dog]

I see something a bit different. Obama seldomly engages Romney, much more time/eye contact with Jim Lehrer and directly with the camera. I do this quite often in meetings with people who I have no respect for and am planning on dropping a bomb on.

Let them have their say, let them state their case, then just pummel them with reality.

If you do it early people believe you are picking on them and have an axe to grind. If you allow them to make their case then kick there ass you have a much greater buy in.

[garthranzz]

1. I noticed the change in Obama's body language also

and Romney's Bush-aggressiveness and smarmy smile.

[arthritisR_US]

2. That smarmy smile really grated me! n/t

[Cha]

3. Thanks for your perspective, rufus!

[freshwest]

6. Yes, I feel better.

[freshwest]

4. That is my analysis as well. Beneath contempt, useless to engage a pathological liar.

A person of character has limits, boundaries on what they will do. Romney has shown no such boundaries, merely reflexes.

Human beings exchange knowledge or ideas. When one is found to be false, everything that issues from their mouth after that is just noise. Their words mean nothing, there isn't anything to respond to at all.

I suspect this is how Obama felt listening to the insanity that is Mitt Romney.

[iemitsu]

5. i watched it a second time too without the sound (couldn't listen to the lies again).

what appeared to be aggressive confidence (sort of) with sound looked like nervous anxiety without sound.
obama looked clam and collected. when he smiled it was genuine. he had gravitas.
romney looked like he was on crack. or like a fighting rooster hungry for the kill.
romney displayed every sign of insincerity, blinking eyes, lack of eye contact, shaking head in the negative while asserting a positive.
he did not win much this evening.

[rgbecker]

7. Good points all. I listened to the whole thing again and it is true...

Romney will say anything, why waste a minute even thinking of responding. Denies he suggested cutting 5 trillion in taxes. Repeats lies about Obamacare cutting medicare, death panels and his own plans for preexisting conditions. The crap rolls off his tongue as he says he is all about the middle class. Obama was wise not to be drawn into the muck trying to argue with someone so dishonest.

[NCLefty]

8. I have heard that the president doesn't "like" Rmoney

But I think he should not display that to the American public, if that's what was going on tonight. Win on the issues, win on your accomplishments, win on optimism.

[AverageJoe90]

9. Thanks, rufus.

I hope this pans out well for us. We're not in danger of losing legally but there is a very slight possibility this race might come close enough to steal, and that worries me.