Barack Obama and Mitt Romney Battle in Second Debate of 2012

President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney challenged each other in the second Presidential Debate of 2012.  This took place on Tuesday, October 16th, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.  Both prepared well in the face of current events like the Libyan attack, the economy, education and even contraception.  What are we learning from these debates now numbering three including the Vice-Presidential debate?  Now more than ever a common thread among most Americans is that this is an epic election.  One whose outcome will take the United States in one direction - or the other.

The stakes were obvious in this second round.  It was clear that both endured several mach debates in preparation for this televised event.  Probably more so for the Democratic ticket since their demeanor has been more on the defense.  As with all campaigns the mud is now flying in full force and the victor’s throne is still up for grabs.  We are down to the wire though accusations of biased moderators abound throughout these sets of debates.  Also down to the wire despite accusations of biased media, by and large, for and in behalf of President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden - the Democratic ticket.  

In my own personal assessment I really don’t believe that the President wishes to remain in that Office for another term.  I’ve hinted to this in another blog post assessing the first debate but this second debate has reinforced this position.  Though remarks were well prepared President Barack Obama still looked tired and drawn out.  Initiative was lacking and he seemed content in offering nothing new to the table of election consideration.  Given where Barack Obama has been, from where his education came, his string of questionable mentors and by what powers he came to be where he is, it is evident that to me that he was born and bred to ascend into this Office and implement policies that are not consistent with the Constitution of the United States.  As a person I’m sure he is a good father, husband and fishing buddy, but in a place of responsibility in a country of liberty and power in the people, his mindset is dangerous and destructive.  

In this second debate the spirit of the message couldn’t have been more contrasting between the candidates.  As mentioned before Obama felt like he constantly needed to defend his actions and policies.  True, this was needed, however, had the policies proved a benefit to the nation the defense would’ve already been in place.  Governor Mitt Romney had a consistently positive message.  He also defined his place in this particular race to the Presidency.  In response to a question inquiring the difference between him and President George W. Bush, he stated that his place was to get the economy going again and to get Americans working once more.  Establishing a focused personal mission for the Office is important and channels the energy where it needs to go.  This also gives confidence in the voters as to the motives and drive of a particular candidate.

The biggest potential mishap for Romney came during the discussion about the Administration’s knowledge of the attack on the American Consulate in Libya.  The President passionately claimed that he charged the incident as a terrorist attack during his address to the nation the day after the tragedy happened.  Mitt Romney challenged this and held to the idea that it took the Administration fourteen days to even dare to use the term “terrorist attack” in relation to Libya.  Moderator Candy Crowley immediately cut Governor Romney off in defense of the President, citing that the President did indeed use the term terrorist attack in his address the day after the incident.  It was visible that this temporarily stunned Romney and there were even inappropriate cheers over it.  However, Candy Crowley after initiating her agenda on camera came out after the debate and stated that the Governor was actually correct.  A simple mistake and harmless oversight or gross negligence as an objective journalist?

Let’s move to a divisive issue affecting all of us.  Contraception as part of Obamacare was asked by a “non-committed” voter and addressed by our candidates.  I agree with Governor Mitt Romney on this straight up.  The taxpayer should have no part in being mandated to support contraception of another person.  There are lawsuits in place at this time particularly by Catholic entities challenging the Constitutionality of this law.  Organizations such as Planned Parenthood should not be funded by me or any taxpayer against their will.  Contraception and abortion is a matter of personal choice, and to make it an albatross on the backs of every American taxpayer is a disgusting exercise of false Executive power.  How can we be a truly grateful free people when we cannot even protect the promising yet-to-be born child?  How can we be a truly grateful free people when we cannot honor the freedoms of our people by helping them to make responsible personal choices in this country?  Irresponsibility should never be rewarded.

Governor Romney made a comment that I’m sure struck a sore wound in the hearts of many.  At the same time it struck a wound with the surety of truth though many would never admit to it.  He stated that a child is much more apt to achieve, progress and prosper if they have two parents, a mother and a father, in the home who are married.  That’s not verbatim but it’s along the same idea.  There was no counter remark from President Obama.  There was nothing laying out the foundation of a strong family unit, the benefits of marriage and the health of the home with two parents.  Nothing!  A President in a morally degenerated country and society lacking faith such as this should be at the forefront of the basic unit of society - the family.

These are difficult times.  These are not the Ronald Reagan years, George Bush years or even the Clinton years.  It’s even a different time from George W. Bush.  I view two major threats, each with extending branches:

1. The economy is in imminent danger of collapse due largely to uncontrolled spending and excess regulations and taxation of the free market businesses.
2. Liberties afforded us through the Constitution of the United States have been slowly sold away.  In the past few years this process has been ramped up in preparation for socialist American society.

We need a President who will honor the Constitution and discharge his duties within those boundaries.  We need a President at this time who knows business and to put that knowledge to the test on a national level to invigorate the economy.  We need to spark the fires of pride in the American heart by getting them back to work at jobs they can be proud of.  They need to be producing goods and services that they know are second to none anywhere else in the world.  It is the place of the United States to lead the world through example.  We cannot allow our good country to collapse from inside.  We must “provide new guardians” in our government as the Constitution prescribed for corrupt governments.

Mudslinging is distasteful in all campaigns, yet they seemed to have found place and necessity in public perception.  What is said about another candidate, true or not, is retained by the public mind whether they like it or not.  It’s become one of those necessary evils to degrade the other guy while trying to protect your own name.  This I afford to all parties.  Yet, coming down to the candidates Mitt Romney is the one with a true positive outlook in his abilities to create the national conditions of prosperity and economic recovery.  Barack Obama has masked the deteriorating conditions with his beefed up accomplishments.  There are no accomplishments.  Everything he mentioned in the second debate at Hofstra University as a victory has turned into a double penalty for the taxpayer.

Look at where we are today.  Look - at where we are today.  It’s almost four years into Barack Obama’s watch and he still blames previous administration policies for the current conditions.  That is not Presidential.  That is not responsible.  That is not recovery.  Recovery is not a country where a growing segment must now rely on food stamps and government programs.  Recovery is not when vast numbers opt out of the workforce because it’s far more beneficial to not work and reap rewards from the government.  Romney doesn’t degrade these people as has been reported.  He points these facts out so that we all can be aware of the problem.  When you are not striving to be independent or working toward self sufficiency from the government your confidence and industry suffers.  When that suffers your spirit and home suffers.  That inevitably affects your whole family.  Then wo be the future prosperity of the rising generation.

Don’t stand for status quo with President Barack Obama.  There is no positive promise except that the government will provide.  Thus far I believe Governor Mitt Romney exhibited Presidential character at the debates thus far over that of President Barack Obama.  In addition, Congressman Paul Ryan exhibited mature character worthy of leadership as Vice President of the United States in last week’s debate.  The Romney/Ryan ticket is the proper choice at this time for the top Office of the United States of America.