Mr. President absolutely dominated the debate. I'm now more sure that Mitt Romney is not for me.

Obama did. He looked very Presidential. Wasmuch clearer than Romney on his positions.

Romney was more presidential and demonstrated that Obama was ineffective when he had total control of the government

Mitt won! Obama was on the defense all evening.

Definitely President Obama. unfortunately we have been in this mess way before Pres. Obama came into office, 4 years is not enough to get us out if it.

It was a close debate. Both men made valid points, but Romney caught Obama in an obvious lie regarding Libya. That one will hurt Obama and his credibility a lot.

"Obama did. He looked very Presidential."
"Romney was more presidential"

Who votes for somebody because they are "more presidential"? This is not a beauty contest people. There are real differences between the candidates, and elections have consequences.

PresidentObama won. Romney did not give us any solution, he just told his dream...

Obama won easily! He got him on tax cuts! If mitt were to cut education credits and child taxes credits, the middle and lower-middle class would suffer dearly and the upperclass would benefit!!

Mr. Romney was open and direct and friendly. Mr. Obama went back and forth from strident shiuting to speaking like a professor but glossed over the facts that he failed to deliver what he promised to do. Mr. Romney won in a walk.

WTF! My husband and I are paying a higher tax rate than Romney. A big chunk of money that could have paid our other important bills. We can't even afford to go to Hawaii?! Romney is born with a silver spoon, he doesn't know my/your/our sufferings!

Obama won the debate matt just liar about everything he not telling the true

Obama clearly took this one, which seems to be the flash pundit general opinion too. I was really impressed at how commandingly he answered the Benghazi issue, because I thought that would trip him up. Romney did terribly on the question about women's wages and the assault rifle question (just rambled there) and he made a fool of himself trying to counter Obama's assertions on his statements after Benghazi. I wish that there had been somebody who'd pressed Obama on his vision for his next four years more. I have a feeling he'd been prepared, but I'm not sure where we will get that now with the next debate being all foreign policy.

Obama won this 2nd debate, that's a fact. He showed why he deserves a 2nd chance!

Obama actually cares about all Americans and really showed it tonight! He crushed Mitt on their policy differences that affect the middle class majority of our country. Mitt's got no plan for bringing jobs back to the US.

Romney is now the candidate for me. He seems more into fixing the social and financial issues that face me today.

Grow up USA. Many are voting for candidates based on your political affiliations. Do you even know why you are Democrat or Republican?...When are we going to drop the Affiliations and become Americans. This debate is not a Baseball or Basketball game where we change sides by the inning or debate in this matter., Let's try to understand the issues that are going to make us The most powerful nation in the world again. Let's base our votes on our futures, Our Kids and grandkids futures. Let's vote for the best candidate, not the political party. By the way, I was born into the Democratic party but I will vote for the best man when all the smoke clears.

Romney definitely won. He offered Americans a needed change / 5 point plan to the current problems. Obama is good at public speaking yes, but Romney is good at actual success in running / fixing businesses, which is what America needs right now.

Mitt Romney once again demonstrated hos arrogance and how much of a bully he is, not to mention making up stuff that makes no sense--as in his tax policy ad the fact that he can only attack on foreign policy because he has no experience or genuine
knowledge. What screams loud and clear is his driving personal ambition to be president

President Obama definitely dominated the debate tonight. I agree that the mess our country has been in since the Bush administration cannot be changed in 4 years by anyone plus Obama has not had the support of Congress.

Obama had to lie about so many things in order to defend his positions. Even Candy had to lie for him to defend him with regard to the Benghazi Embassy killings. If Obama had to tell 100% the truth on everything that came out of his mouth, he would only get 10% of all of the votes. It is hard to believe that so many of the people in this country cannot see through this president. Look at his results in four years. If you re-elect Obama, I guarantee you will just get more of the same failed policies.

Hahaha! Go ahead and Vote for this rich Mormon, and get ready to pay higher taxes, higher healthcare cost, help him give jobs to China , deregulate the bank and oil companies!

It's interesting to me to read the responses here. In the first debate, Romney was the clear winner and Democrats, instead of defending him and saying he won anyway, actually got very angry at him for a poor performance. Tonight Obama was the clear winner, but Republicans seem to be defending Romney as the winner anyway. It has been remarked in many forums that Republicans are much better at backing their guy. I doubt that much will change as a result of this debate, but I think Democrats are at least relieved that their guy is back. And Joe Biden was certainly very entertaining!

The President won hands down. He had his facts right on drilling, taxes, guns and the embassy. He showed that his opponent will flip his opinion or say anything to gain votes.

The facts won! It was facts against truthers. Calling out the truthers should not be done politely. What would this country be like when truthers run it? Oh yeah, we tried that and got the biggest terror attack in our history, 2 wars (without a nickel from the rich), and the worst economic collapse in 80 years. Now truthers pretend they had no responsibility for all that.

To all, Take a look in the Mirror and no matter what you want to believe, You know the truth about the victor in tonights debate. It was very clear!

Don't listen to Obama say what he has accomplished. Instead, measure him on what he has done. He is not clued in. The African American man who asked a very good question, indicating that he has not seen or felt any positive results over the past 4 years. Obama is not in touch!

Obama won.

Check facts.. Obama lied about Libya and on top of that apologized to the terrorists who killed four Americans at our embassy.. The numbers on unemployment are drastically altered by the fact a lot of people stopped looking for jobs and are no longer counted in the "un or underemployed" list. I personally work in the mining industry and Obama and the EPA are over regulating almost everything making it nearly impossible to maintain or receive permits to keep sites open and working which has been the same with oil and other natural resource jobs in the U.S. Don't get me wrong, obama is a brilliant speaker.. But there is a very big difference between a man of his word and a man of MANY words. He said it himself, if he didn't fix things he would be a one term president and you are lying to yourselves if you think he's made anything better for this country. Please check and compare facts before casting your votes for this man.

We have systemic problems that neither will be able to address even if they wanted to. This will take a grassroots mass movement equal to the greatest in human history. However, it was clear that Obama cares about the 99% and Romney couldn't give a damn.

Romney won. He laid our all if Ovama's failed policies and broken promises.

One could argue a draw but Romney clearly won on the important subjects like the economy and taxes. Obama defiantly performed better and Romney missed some opportunities. The moderator was defiantly in bed with Obama as well but this is not the decisive Obama victory that the media is going to portray. Obama also lied on several topics like Libya. This won't help Obama much in the polls.

Obama brings to our voter base no vision, no insight, no specific plan for a better future. His pathetic past record shows that our economy can not tolerate his lack of leadership. Obama can not reveal his plan because he does not have a dire interest to stimulate our economy, and to create more quality jobs. I am a middle class educated worker and have not had a full time job in the last four years because creating jobs were not on his agenda. His complete disrespect to mislead USA on Libya is unconscionable. He did not refer to those four sad deaths of our Americans as a specific act of terror. It took two weeks for our country to get the truth. Obama's delayed actions showed incompetence at the least, dishonesty more likely. How sad for our leadership. I will not support someone I can not trust for our country's future. And why does a neutral (?) commentator have permission to interject her opinions, and misled potential voters on an important point even further. Romney shows professionalism. He brings promise to a better future for energy with a plan for lower gas prices, oil exploration and drilling and alternative energy sourcing. He brings a promise for a better future to improve our economy by decreasing taxes and prioritizing growth in jobs. He is a successful businessman. He can balance a budget. He has a plan. He has a vision for a better change. I'll take my chance on Romney.

Anyone that knows me, knows I'm a solid Republican. I could easily see how some if not most would say that Obama won the debate.
CNN reports that he won 46 to 39. But the internals of the same poll are not very good for the President.
Who would better handle
economy R 58 - O 40
Taxes R 51% - O 44%
Deficit R 59% -O 36%
Healthcare R 49% -O 46%
And here is direct quote from CNN not exactly a conservative news source.
"On that measure, the debate can best be described as a tie.
One-quarter of debate-watchers said the event made them more likely to vote for Obama, and an equal amount said it made them more likely to vote for Romney.
Half said it would have no effect on their vote."

In the first debate, Romney succeeded in convincing people he was an acceptable replacement for Obama. And in this kind of economy, that's all people needed to see. But Romney when much further in the first debate. And to be quite frank, this debate is being measured against the last one in which Obama didn't have a pulse.

Again quoting the same CNN poll, of those surveyed 73% thought Obama did better then they expected him to. Why is that? A month ago everyone thought Obama was the best debater since Socrates. So expectations were so low for Obama, the fact that he showed energy tonight makes him the winner.

2 weeks ago the fundamentals of this campaign were changed. Tonight's performance by the President changed nothing.

Whomever wins... we all lose.

OBAMA is the master of disillusion. Once you get below the surface he is exposed.Last night`s format was perfect for a B.S. artist like B.O.Hopefully enough of america will see through come Nov 6 th. the next debate will be very hard for Obama to defend his role with Lybia and the so called Arab spring. Let`s see this Video that Obama and Clinton Kissed the butt of Islam over and apologized . DOES IT REALLY EXIST !!! Like Obama an illusion.

well i have heard all the plans and after the last four years and not getting any better. but the nation is in a lot worse off and out national credit rating is bad and going to get worse, I think i will vote for romney.

Neither are a top choice, but after the last four years, and with all the problems we are facing, I think it;s time for a change.

Romney appeals to the voter base that feels " I've got mine and I'm not sharing it with anyone else. " Romney supporters are also picking on the disadvantaged in this country as they are easy targets. I can only hope Obama wins this election. I leave you with this to ponder..... Events such as illness, loss of jobs and death occur everyday. We are not all exempt from this but there are social programs put in place to help. Programs Romney supporters think are wasting taxpayer money. What if it happened to you and Romney was elected president?

Hey Patty and Steve... I bet you don't know how many embassy attacks there were during Bush's presidency.....
There were TWELVE!!!!!!!
@ Paul If you watched them fact check on CNN after the debate and wanted to be truly honest with yourself.... Obama didn't lie once!

Wow what a bunch of morons . Obama didn't shed light on anything, he just sat back smug and interupted as much if not more than Romney. And Candy the Hutt fact checked Mitt to cover for Obama and was 100% wrong. It's all over the net how wrong she was, even she admitted it. If you idiots can't see past the smug smile and the slick talk, I guess we deserve the desperate mess we're in

People need to look at what the president came into. We are this way because of a Republican.. good change takes time. If you really look at what the president has done for this country you will see he is doing what he said he was going to do but its going to take him another 4 yrs to start to see change. When Clinton was president we were in a sur plus and that's what our president is trying to do to get our middle class back to where we were 12 yrs ago... Don't forget Mitts 47% comment that's really a man I want for president...people need to stop point n blaming Obama when he is truly for ALL AMERICAN PEOPLE NOT JUST THE RICH...THINK ABOUT...

Obama definitely won...he definitely has my vote again for another 4 YEAR'S

Obama again showed no real grasp of where he has been for the past four years and no plan for the next four - just more lies and falsehoods about Romneys plans. Don't forget Obama's statement about "You didn't Build That" - he truly believes in a socialized government. Even with Obamas constant interrupting and lack of truthfilness AND the Moderators HELP - Romney took it on points

Ross Perot 2012.

Please show me where in this transcript (his remarks made in the Rose Garden on 9/12/12) that the President called the attack in Libya an 'act of terror' - You can't because he did not say it!! http://tinyurl.com/cylp7kv - In fact after his remarks the President was asked by a report if it was an 'act of terror' and he walked away!! You can see that in the video here - http://tinyurl.com/9r8xt84 - Wake up America!! It was 2 against one in that debate and Mitt still won!! The liberal media is imploding and I for one am HAPPY to see it!! The bloom is off the rose and Obama is exposed for the empty chair and suit that he is!!

Someone said disrespectful about Romney towards Candy!!! You are surely kidding. The shoe is on the other foot with that one - the questions she chose and her siding (wrongly) with Obama on his Libya statements - Romney had one hand tied behind his back going in and the only surprise was she didn't take two minutes at the end to condemn Romney & his policies.

If anything It was a tie, Obama was definitely more aggressive than debate #1, But it wasn't enough. He blew the embassy killings, He tried to make a big stand about how he is the Man in charge and calls the shots, If that were true, why after a few weeks would he let Hillary take the rap? and why, if she was ultimately responsible, has he not publicly or privately disciplined her? If you or I made a critical error in our jobs resulting in the death of people, We would not only be fired on the spot, but fed to the Lawyers on the way out the door, So, a draw maybe, but I still vote for Romney. Time for a change

This is one for the book, last evening Obama say`s the reason why gasoline was 1.89 a gallon when he came in and not 4.00, the economy was on the verge of collapse.Well I don`t know about you, with people making less and having to pay much more, I think B. O. made a case for another collaspe. Those were the good old days.

The most important thing in this election: the next president will probably choose 2 supreme court justices who are in for LIFE. This will decide the direction of our country for the rest of my life and effect my children 12 and 5 for most of theirs. Do you really want to go back to policies that were decided 30 years ago because the extreme on the right dredged them up again? Do you want the country to fully become government by corporation? Government by big banks? This is what matters.

WOW!! Now there are death threats to assassinate Romney!! http://tinyurl.com/br7epdk - I'd be embarrassed to be a Democrat or associated with the party at this point!! Obama cannot win in the arena of ideas or on his record of the last 4 years, so now people think that death threats against his opponent is the way to go. Stunning!! Wake up America, wake up!!

The Most important thing in this election is the survivorship of this nation - the debt crisis has us knocking at the door of Greece - Geitner can only pump so much paper money into the system before we become what Europe was in the 30's, when a wheel barrow full of money bought a loaf of bread. Playing class warfare sounds good to some but it gets real old fast. This country was founded upon the concept of faith in GOD and that with a solid work ethic you could achieve your dreams. Those dreams are being trampled on by those who want to have a socialized system where everyone gets a piece of the pie no matter what they contribute to society. Please vote like your childrens future depends on it - because it does.

This string has become hyperbole and partisan posturing and is no longer worth following.

We need someone who can get the parties together.
Obama has had 4 years of "letting the politicuians sort it out themsleves" and they did not do that.
A leader should be able to negotiate, to compromise, and cause the other senators and congressmen to work together. ej

Solid performance from PRESIDENT OBAMA. Obama has a clear plan which he described and solid forward results of progress from the worst downturn inn our history to show for his work. Romney again avoided any details about anything but will surely carry out the Republican convention ideals. Romney appears to be willing to say anything for a vote. I expect Romney to hand out money to the audience in the next debate.

I didn't think it was possible, but Romney successfully debated (very well I might add) BOTH the President AND the moderator - at the SAME time!

Candy showed her true (left-leaning) stripes by carrying the water pail for Obama and fibbed along with the President regarding Libya - check the transcript here - there was NO specific reference to terrorism in Libya on 9/12 - only with regard to "....terrorist actS...." as they related to the anniversary of 9/11.

And in spite of POTUS' attempt to pin Romney into a corner with his 'you're a successful investor....' comments, it back-fired. Oops, Mr. President, not only does Romney know where his money is, but he also knows where your pension is invested - - in China and off-shore. And he'll do a much better job of removing the debt guillotine that now hangs over our economy and our children's future.

As Obama bumbled and stuttered through not only his answers, but childlike calls for update on the timer (did it go off yet?), Romney remained calm and in control of both his emotions and facts. If you don't believe me - look at the Boston Globe's own FactCheck reporting at http://tinyurl.com/br3u8fn

There was a clear winner - the next President of the United States, our former governor, Willard Mitt Romney.

He didn't ask - but I will, vote for Mitt in November. Let's get things moving again!

Crappy forum and moderator. No clear winner or knock out punches in this one.

When is Romney actually going to tell us his 'plan'. Not '1. This thing. 2. This other thing. etc. etc. etc.' He never stands on solid ground for ANYTHING other than stopping stem cell research, cutting taxes for the rich and stopping Chinas cheating. It's like a 10 year old is actually on the verge of becoming president. Give me some facts. Give me some ideas. Not some vague BS.

Look Obamacare was passed without anyone reading the dam thing. Bela pilosi said we have to pass it first to find out what`s in it. NO canidate can give complete specifics before he is elected, on a budget, in fact who ever did ? One thing you can rest assured that Romney will get this country up and running and and feeling good about itself.There not one shred of evidence that anything will change with 4 more years of Obama, at best the uneployment rate is back where we started 7.8 % however gas is not 1.89 a gallon as it was then, things are costing more, wages are down. So who really who want`s this guy, lets look. public employes love him, why not more taxes, means more pay for them.People on the sidelines who have no intention of ever get off , NOT THE ONES THAT DO, want him more taxes means steady income for them. On someone else`s back. That`s the Obama idea of no one being left out. He wants reporations for a certain segment of the community OK I SAID IT. Prove me wrong.

Here you are Ero http://www.mittromney.com/JobsPlan
Oh, and by the way, Mitt's had detailed white papers released on Economic Growth for years, it's just too bad Obama never read them.

Obama love`s to deal in class warfare and is always throwing around the fact that Mitt Romney is wealty, indeed he is. He will be entering the White House a rich man. All I know is Obama assumed office a relatively modest man, he willing be leaving very Wealthy. So I guess the last 4 years did pay off quite nicely, for the OBAMA`S.

The debate was a tie. There will be no jump in the polls except for Romney. Obama has done nothing to improve the economy of this nation. We should all be desperate to get Obama out of the White House because if Obama had been more concerned out the citizens of this nation and their protection (part of his job) the four people killed in Benghazi would have never lost their lives. Obama rightly took responsibility because he was spending more time campaigning, fund raising and golfing instead of taking care of the responsibilities of his office. Every president before Obama would always properly staff the U.S. Embassies on Sept. 11th each year because that date has great significance in the Islamic world. Obama is asleep at the wheel when it comes to foreign policy. Obama does not care about the people of this country, he only cares about himself.

@Don n - For your reference, Candy Crowley is a self-important, fem-bot media snob who just can't seem to follow the rules.

The Obama AND Romney campaigns set some interesting ground rules, most notably, neither camp wanted a whole lot of moderating, specifically requesting that Candy Crowley doesn't ask any follow-up questions to a candidate who may choose to talk his way around a difficult question.

The memo signed by both campaigns, would suggest there won't be any follow-ups at all. The document not only bars Crowley from asking them, but also the audience members and even the other candidate on stage.

•7 (c), IV: "The moderator will not ask follow-up questions or comment on either the questions asked by the audience or the answers of the candidates during the debate or otherwise intervene in the debate except to acknowledge the questioners from the audience or enforce the time limits, and invited the candidate comments during the 2 minute response period."
•7 (d): "The audience members shall not ask follow-up questions or otherwise participate in the extended discussion, and the audience member's microphone shall be turned off after he or she completes asking the questions."
•5 (e): "The candidates may not ask each other direct questions during any of the four debates.

Look, this is simple: has Obama's plans over the last 4 years worked? Can you name anything that he has done that has worked? Borrowing money, and apologizing for America from day one stick in people's minds more than any legislation he has enacted. Can anyone say they are better off now than 4 years ago? Even putting in 3 full years ( I don't count this past year, it's been all campaigning) he accomplished nothing. I said it the other day and I say it again: We owe it to ourselves to switch directions, I am tired of watching my paycheck get taxed to death. A lot of that money is going to freebies that people who are capableof working are taking full advantage of. More and more people everyday are finding that it is easier to take from Uncle Sam than to get up and better themselves. It's time to stop Making it easy for them. I for one am ready for change. I admit it may prove to be the wrong change, But to never take the leap is to remain in one place. Right now we are all in one place. And it's called losing ground.

If substance and policy were important then Romney won.
If attacking and disinformation was important then Obama won.
The policies of the present administration have led to a resurgence of Al-Qaeda, stagnation in the economy, and runaway government spending.

Think before you vote are you better off today than you were 4 years ago.
I like substance, and policy, over disinformation, and character assassination any day.

Judging from all of this banter, I think Obama aught to give that Nobel Peace Prize back. : D

We need a CEO to deal with our countries economic problems, someone who deals with the realities and hazards of a business, not some guy who was a "community organizer" I mean, what the hell is that anyway? A guy who goes around the neighborhood encouraging the poor to sign up for well fare and other entitlements, and basically spreading anger and discontent amongst the citizens. THAT Will help this country turn itself around? Are you serious?
C'mon people...we can do better than this guy.

How's that community organizer workin' out for ya.

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

David, the last CEO president that I can remember was George Washington and he did a pretty darn good job. Bush was not a CEO of any company as far as I know. He family has been in politics for a long time. Obama has no life experience in any type of business. He college education was very lackluster with a "C" average. He is really just an average Joe. Just because he can talk and spout off lies and tell everyone else that they are telling lies when he the one actually telling the lies is just crazy. But it is just like the Pied Piper who led everyone away with his magical music. Obama is doing the same with all of the ignorant voters who either do not want to research him or are too lazy to do so. Any person who really does their research about Obama would never vote for him. He had the first two years to create millions of jobs and he did nothing but create thousands of government jobs and a huge expansion of government bureaucracy. If he gets into the White House for another term he will most certainly double the number of people on Food Stamps and expand the federal government to double the size it is now. The debt will double and we will have to go bankrupt. The USA is actually already bankrupt, but nobody wants to discuss it.

Now many jobs did Romney create in Massachusetts?......oh net zero. Guess it's not the same as being a strip miner of businesses