The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of this country was recently downgraded to 1.3%.
This is abysmal. The upcoming jobs report will show America to have a 44th month of unemployment over 8%. When you figure in those that have given up looking for work, it's closer to 19%. THAT is abysmal.

Median Family Income has dropped $4,000 under Obama. More people are out of work now then when Obama took office.

The above are the facts. Why are some Americans continuing to support a president who's only experience was as a US Senator in his first term, who spent most of that first term running for higher office. Before that he was a state senator in his first term who voted "present" over 100 times instead of a yea or nay vote.

Romney has run a business, a successful Olympics and a state.
One has "Executive Experience" , the other is still trying to figure out what that is after almost 4 years.

Does msnbc really have enough viewers to be considered a "major network?" Msnbc numbers are so pathetic, I think the o network could rerun opra interviewing a rock and still beat bsnbc. I will admit I will flip over to bsnbc. Who can resist the intelligent commentary from race baiting al sharpton, tingle-up-his-leg chris matthews, and the rest of gods broken toys.

Anyone have any idea what that black dot on Romney's flag pin is?

Readers - what do you think? Can you afford to "fire" your health insurance and find a different company?

Who do you think won tonight's debate?

If you saw Democracy Now's expanded debate where all four candidates were allowed to speak. Jill Stein and Rocky Anderson won the debate. Mitt Romney and Barak Obama spewed the same garbage they always speak. Too bad there's a media blackout on anything but the two party system.

As far as I can tell it was a gift from secret service agents. The black dot is actually the center of a lighter color star (usss logo) on the flag. Romney came out swinging and obama couldnt or wouldnt respond. I think obama was hanging back on purpose. What use would it be to attack at this point. I do expect biden to be blanked by ryan, but more fireworks to come from obama/romney.

Undoubtedly a SOLID victory for Mitt Romney! Did anyone think The President looked tired and sounded unfocused by the end?

I think Romney looked and spoke more "presidential". He was clear on his message; managed the distractions of Obama's constant mis-statement of his policies; knew what he wanted and needed to say; and spoke clearly of his vision.

Excellent performance!

Romney wants Obamacare put in at the state level.
In PA that means trusting your healthcare to Tom Corbett
- scared yet?

I don't think Romney could have been more on point and engaged, President Obama looked bothered. I'm surprised, but I think Romney exceeded expectations and the President underperformed.

Romney's decision to announce that he would defund PBS, which represents one-billionth of one percent of the budget, tactically represents a fundamental lack of judgment to be the leader of the free world.

All I can say is when Bill Mahr admits Obama was a no-show, the performance was bad. Bill Mahr: 'i can't believe i'm saying this, but Obama looks like he DOES need a teleprompter'... -- https://twitter.com/billmaher And the same goes for Chris Matthews: Chris Matthews Freaks Out At Obama: "What Was He Doing?" -- http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/10/03/chris_matthews_freaks_out_at_obama_after_debate_romney_was_winning.html

It would be tough to spin anything other than a dominating debate for Romney.

Now granted this is only one debate but if this was a boxing match the referee would have stopped the fight.

To any independent voter or a voter on the fence Romney came across as professional, articulate, and as someone with a plan for this nation's problems. He was well prepared, professional and obviously had a plan. Obama looked totally unprepared and lacking vision. I guess it is amazing how good you can look when a teleprompter is giving you the answers to unscripted questions.

Personally, I echo the facts pointed out by Keith Best. The facts speak for themselves. The economy has been in a downward spiral and it has gotten worse under Obama.

I don't know if Romney has all the answers to the issues troubling this country but I am willing to give him a shot. I know that as a country we cannot stand four more years of failed policies and spending under Obama

The President got his ass kicked. No "hope and change" bull****. He cant hide from his abysmal record as president. The economy sucks, and the world is more dangeous now than EVER before. Four years ago he promised to fix these issues and he failed miserably. ROMNEY KICKED HIS ASS !

Are you serious??? Obama even triped over his talking points. The poor guy has nothing to say except 4 more years to finish the job.

As a cynic following this debate remember this was not a boxing "match." This was round one. The pres didnt use any of his cards. He knows that. Dont be surprized when he comes guns blazing. Bain. 47%. The kitchen sink. I could see obama giving up round one, do halfway next times, and the media crowns him winner.

I liked the idea of turning healthcare to the states, who should dismantle it. Maybe BHO had an off-night, but he was limited to mumbling tired, campaign slogans, and DNC talking points. He appeared inept, distracted, and ill-informed.

Just because Mitten was all hyped up did not mean he won the debate. He never answered the questions he was asked as far as explaining what or where these cuts would come from. What was the problem with that. Obama is laid back and its no need for him to get hype off of nothing. As he said you do the math because we will pick up big tabs messing with the Mitt. Anyone in healthcare business knows its not a piece of cake picking your own insurance. Nothing is free and yes you can choose what you are going to pay for. Who gives up insurance coverage where many things like pre-existing conditions are covered to pick something else and not really know what my true coverage or cost will be. Common sense.

Besides it was the President's anniversary and look where he had to spend it and with who. He probably couldn't wait until it was over. Mitt wasn't saying anything that caught my attention but it was interesting to listen to his lies. I feel sorry for this country if he gets in. Don't act like when Clinton was in office you wasn't living good and that's where Obama is trying to take us back too. As he also said, WHEN HE CAME INTO OFFICE HE WAS ALREADY FACING DEBT FROM BUSH AND IT WAS NO WAY ANY PRESIDENT ELECTED 4 YEARS AGO WOULD HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TODAY. So stop trying to make it Obama's fault for everything effed up.

In all fairness to Obama, it was the altitude. Yes, the Denver altitude makes Dems not coherent. According to Al Gore, it was the climate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtkw8stAlrM&feature=share

Good Lord, and this guy was almost president!

@Tom, not the altitude, his attitude. LOL

Listen to you people talking about bringing jobs back. Remember when Ross Perot talked about that giant sucking sound? The jobs have been moved over seas. How are they going to bring them back? In a bag? Maybe they will fly over and drop them out of a helicopter! The only way the economy can come back is if you start buying things that are made here. When was the last time you bought something that was made around here? Buying things we make here is the way we can create jobs here. Get a clue !

Where did all of the liberals go? What happened? The forums are EMPTY today. Even the liberal who reminds us he has a gun is silent. Where'd ja' go?

by next week i think everyone will be saying that Mitt lost the debate by lying and going after Big Bird...

Mike shut up. You seem to have something to say on everybody's opinion. We know your are a Republican and go ahead and give Romney your vote. If he wins, just like the others I will laugh at you when you see yourself lost because you just couldn't stand the real truth and you see what a big liar Romney is. Can't tell you no other info that will make better judgement for you. If you were smart you'd think back and realize that what he was trying to say the night of the debate is totally different than what he had been saying. Everything Obama said he was going to do Mitt jumped on the band-wagon and repeated it in different steps. This was just the first one and I'm sure the next one's will be very interesting.