Debate Recap: Knockout
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney went toe
to toe tonight for the first time in a Presidential debate, in Denver,
Colorado. The format consisted of six main
topics (only five were really covered), with each candidate giving a two-minute
response followed by a period of discussion.
The more open format allowed for a lot of direct debate between the two
men, and led to an unusually good event.
Some viewers might have thought both candidates pushed moderator Jim Lehrer
around a little by ignoring the time limits, but Mr. Lehrer’s allowing that
flexibility enhanced the debate, I think.
The first three topics all focused on
areas related directly to the economy – taxes, the deficit, and entitlement
reform. In many instances, the debate
was over Governor Romney’s plans versus President Obama’s record.
One of the problems Mr. Obama had was
that he made many of the same promises he made in 2008 and was unable to
keep. For example, he promised to cut
the deficit, like he did in 2008, but it has ballooned in the last four years. Voters had to wonder why they should believe
he would do it this time after failing in his first term.
The most heated debates came over
Medicaid and health care. The President
accused Governor Romney of weakening Medicaid by proposing to send its management
back to the states. However, as
Catholics, we likely very much liked the idea.
It is a prime example of the social justice principle of subsidiarity,
which states that such programs should be administered by those closest to the
need. On both Medicaid and education,
Mr. Romney capably applied this principle, and Catholics should have been able
to see the wisdom in that. Mr. Obama, by
contrast, suggested that would lead to cuts, and implied that the federal
government was more capable of dealing with such issues.
There were a couple of issues of
supreme importance that might have been missed by some viewers. A lot of time, actually, was spent on the “death
panels” in Obamacare (a name that Mr. Obama embraced tonight). Mr. Romney brought up numerous times the “unelected
board” that would decide what medical treatments you can have. Mr. Obama played it off as a group looking
for “best practices” to keep costs down, but there is no question about it, the
boards will lead to rationing of health care services.
Mr. Obama made a passing reference to
requiring people to have a living will.
Most people might have missed it, but it is incredibly important. Living wills are documents people often sign
as part of their estate plans without understanding them. They are often used to insure someone’s
assets, but basically what they do is give permission for treatment or life
support to be suspended, allowing a person to die, and avoiding major medical
costs. Everyone should find out if they
have a living will, because it is something that can potentially take the question
of whether you are kept alive out of your hands. The subtle mention by the President that
everyone needs to have one is a very scary statement, and it should not go
unchallenged.
Mr. Romney gave only a passing mention
to “religious freedom,” and I found that unfortunate. With the President continuing his attack on
Catholics and many other people of faith, I wish the HHS mandate and our
diminishing liberties had been highlighted.
So who won? I tend to underestimate the performance of “my
guy” when I watch a debate, but there was no denying that Mitt Romney gave
Barack Obama a trouncing tonight. Not only
was he far more on point, but he was more fluent with information, more
confident, and frankly, looked far more Presidential. All evening Mr. Obama stumbled over words, and
said “um” and “you know” as he tried to catch his train of thought. I am fiercely critical of many of the
President’s policies, but I don’t tend to make personal attacks, so I don’t say
that to be insulting, but I think it’s a fair assessment. Of course, there are two more Presidential
debates as well as the vice Presidential debate next Thursday, and I doubt
tonight’s performance is indicative of what we’ll see out of the Democrats
going forward. So let’s hope no one
takes anything for granted.
