News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Oct. 4, 2012: The much anticipated first Presidential debate in Denver was simply anti-climatic for many, showing more of a vanilla Barack Obama than the Obama who fired up millions and got himself elected four years ago.
Many Caribbean nationals who tuned into to watch also took to social network Facebook during and after the televised debate to voice their disappointment at President Obama’s performance.
“I am heartbroken. President Obama and moderator Jim Lehrer allowed Mitt Romney to get away to so many lies tonight. Romney won the debate tonight by telling lies that no one challenged him on. Not the president and not Lehrer. I hate to say this but Chris Christie is right. Romney dominated tonight,” said Michael Allen.
“I am disappointed with this entire debate. But hopefully, all these matters will be discussed. I also felt that the moderator allowed both candidates to dictate what was to be discussed and how,” added Keran Deterville.
“President Obama is a wonderful presenter, but in my opinion was not concise and looked like he didn’t want to be there. I was disappointed in his delivery on this their first debate,” said Tanuja Raghoo, host of Caribbean Spotlight.
Others thought the President gave too many long answers. “Obama, you are not just long-winded, but you’re getting emotional. The moderator doing his best to help you but Mitt is winning this debate by a landslide. He’s more prepared and sharp like a brand new blade,” commented Marcia Braveboy.
Some even attacked his failure to look straight into the camera.
“Obama needs to look into the camera. Talk to the people,” said Pastor Gil Montrose.
Whileothers joked about his performance. “President Obama is not prepared for this first round, that’s because it’s his 20th wedding anniversary,” said Guyana radio host, Mark Benschop.
But many more choose to be optimistic and more forgiving.
“Obama did not bring it as hard tonight, but don’t you worry I have faith he will kill it in the next one!” said Danielle De Souza while Sero Bobb was not swayed by Romney’s performance.
“I don’t know what world Romney lives in, maybe in a fairytale,” she said.
And while the consensus was that Romney won the debate, many like Asha Roberts insisted it was “only on delivery and nothing else.”
“Obama still has my vote,” she added.
My own response was to wish that I could take Michele Obama’s place for a few moments and slap the President silly out of the stupor he seemed to have fallen under. It was the only real explanation to me for his listless performance. Or maybe, it was Romney’s voodoo that had put him under a spell. After all, Mitt does know the Caribbean’s tax havens well and maybe he picked up some voodoo tips along the way too.
Whatever it was that left Obama out of debate shape, he needs to get back in the game and fast, before slick Mitt slithers his way into the great halls of the White House.
