President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney went head to head Wednesday night in the campaign’s first presidential debate. Who came out ahead?
President Barack Obama and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney traded barbs Wednesday night during the first presidential debate of the 2012 race. Who came out on top? Take a look at some of the best zingers of the evening and judge for yourself.
President Obama on…
Romney’s proposed tax reforms: “For 18 months, he’s been running on this tax plan. And now five weeks before the election, he saying that his big, bold idea is ‘Nevermind.'”
Health care: “I have become fond of the term Obamacare.”
Romney’s vague health-care plans: “At some point the American people have to ask themselves, ‘Is the reason Governor Romney is keeping all these plans secret, is it because they’re going to be too good? Because middle class families benefit too much?’ No.”
Small businesses: “Under Governor Romney’s definition, there are a whole bunch of millionaires and billionaires who are small business. Donald Trump is small business. And I know Donald trump doesn’t like to think of himself as small anything.”
Tax loopholes: “My attitude is that if you’ve got a corporate jet, you can probably afford to pay full freight for it.”
His own record: “Four years ago, I said that I’m not a perfect man and I wouldn’t be a perfect president. And that’s probably a promise that Governor Romney thinks I’ve kept.”
Mitt Romney on…
Obama’s proposed tax cuts: “Look, I’ve got five boys, and I’m used to someone saying something that’s not true and keep repeating it.”
Financial reform: “Dodd-Frank identified some banks as too big to fail. This is the biggest kiss to banks I’ve ever seen.”
Tax breaks for sending jobs offshore: “I’ve been in business for 25 years. I have no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe I need to get a new accountant, but the idea you get a break for shipping jobs overseas, is simply not the case.”
The middle class: “Middle-income Americans have seen their income come down by $4,300. This is a tax in and of itself. I’ll call it the economy tax. It’s been crushing.”
Government spending: “Spain spends 42 percent of their total economy on government. We’re now spending 42 percent of our economy on government. I don’t want to go down the path to Spain.”
Cutting funding to PBS: “I’m sorry, Jim, I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I’m going to stop other things. I like PBS, I love Big Bird. Actually I like you, too. But I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for.”
Who won? We’ll let you decide, but one thing’s for certain: Big Bird better watch his back.
Leave a Comment