Just three days before the all-important first presidential debate and the Romney campaign seemed to raise expectations this morning on Meet the Press - a different tone they've taken previously about the meeting.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a key Romney supporter, put added significance on Wednesday night's match-up by says "come Thursday morning, the entire narrative of this race is going to change."
The president's senior adviser took that opening and ran with it saying, "If it's going to fundamentally change, that means in seven or ten days from now, you'll see states like Ohio tied, states like Iowa tied, because that's what really matters here." He also added that Romney has "prepared more than any candidate in history."
Plouffe also defended the administration's position about the events that took place in Benghazi, Libya, ultimately leading to the death of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens. Plouffe called the notion that the White House withheld information for political purposes, "preposterous and really offensive." But he also denied that there was an “intelligence failure”.
You can watch the entire broadcast on our website including a lively discussion on our roundtable about the debate, and which question our guests would ask if they were moderating.
Also, don't forget tomorrow to watch the Massachusetts Senate debate David is moderating between incumbent Republican Senator Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren.
We'll be back next week. If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press.
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Mr. Romney can prepare all he wants. The problem is not how well he debates, it's everything that he is, stands for, and in the end, he will still be wanting. Mr. Romney cannot change who he is, and for America who he is is not what we need.
At least Romney can add and subtract .
Our debt and deficit is sinking America .
Or haven't you heard or seen ?
Really! Romney's going to cut taxes for the rich, cut deductions for the rest. His addition and subtraction is not going to reduce the debt or the deficit.
Haven't YOU seen and heard!
No, Romney can't add....he thinks continuing to cut taxes for the wealthiest will solve the deficit. If cutting taxes was the answer....we would be sitting pretty since the Republicans have refused to let those tax cuts expire....as they were supposed to....His addition and subtraction will continue to hurt us. The two wars Bush took us into were the first that we did not raise taxes to pay for.....Republicans now think wars pay for themselves....I don't think that is accurate math.
Really? Ryan has just said it is too complicated to explain. Or did he mean, "you are too stupid to understand?". Or did he mean, "I won't explain it now but hit you between the eyes later?". Or did he mean, "We don't have any kind of a solution but I won't admit it!". What exactly did he mean? Whatever he meant, I am offended!
An instructional preview of Mitt's upcoming performance in the presidential debates would be a couple of quotes from the hilarious GOP debates featuring Willard and a cast of intellectual midgets:
"I'm Mitt Romney and, yes Wolf, that is also my first name!" —Mitt Romney, at the beginning of a November 2011 Republican presidential debate, getting his own name wrong (his first name is ''Willard,'' and his middle name is "Milton", or as he seems to prefer, ''Mitt'')
"I'll tell you what; ten thousand bucks? $10,000.00 bet?" —Mitt Romney, attempting to make a wager with Rick Perry during a Republican presidential debate to settle a disagreement about health care (December 2011)
TO: ONTOR who wrote:
That's not what Romney' people were saying this weekend.
They said Mitt Robme is NOT an accountant, so Romney can NOT add and subtract!
Obama/Biden 212
Upon question after question and Governor Christie responding with attack over attack against our current president, he has not given me any reason to vote for Governor Romney. I know that president Obama hasn't shown any plan, but I want to know specifically what Governor Romney has in mind. No specifics, then no reason to vote out our current President
Regarding the 47 percent comment from Governor Romney, I am looking for someone to bring the country together, not divided it up further.
How can David Gregory show such bias in his interviewing? He focusses on "What will Romney do to fix the economy? But he doesn't ask the same of Obama? Nor does he ask why Obama hasn't fixed the economy in 4 years? Obama should be held to a higher standard since he has been in the position to do something for 4 years but hasn't.
I think Obama has fixed the economy. Going from 800,000+ job losses to ~100,000 jobs created every month is a fix. What do you want? 11 million jobs created in 2 1/2 years? That has never happened.
Gregory certainly showed bias when he kept saying that Obama said Al Queda was defeated....he never said that. He said it was within reach now but there would still be sacrifices ahead. I guess Gregory wants a job on Fox. And maybe Gregory didn't ask about Obama's plans because he has spelled out what he thinks will work but Romney and Ryan keep saying they will give us the details after they are elected. Frankly, I want to force them to say what their plan is....either they don't have one or they know even Republicans won't vote for their plan.
He ALWAYS shows bias. He let misinformation fly with Gov. Christie yet drilled David P. into the ground. This is NOT want we want from the legacy of this historic TV program.
Why does David Gregory never ask follow up questions? Gregory mis-quoted the president twice today and knew it. Its like watching fox and friends, which is where Gregory belongs.
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I stopped watching when David Gregory took over. Thought I would try it again today and remember what made my prior decision. The repeating of the same question over and over again gets quite irritating. If you ask it enough do you thing the answer will become what you want to hear?
Gone again until a new moderator,
Me
David Gregory makes me sick! He asks only superficial questions like he is one of those liberal or conservative biased radio shows. They show no substance, and I haven't heard him ask an intelligent question yet! Tim Russett, also moved in that direction, but I do miss him, and am sorry of his death.
David Gregory has to stop asking superficial questions, and ask questions like 60 minutes would do, or Charlie Rose? Bob Woodward?
David Gregory's bias is painful. Why focus on "What will Romeny do to fix the economy" without the same scrutiny for Obama? More importantly, why hasn't Obama fixed the economy in 4 years? What can he promise in 4 more years and why should we believe him? Obama has been in the position to do something for 4 years and has failed miserably.
I don't believe stopping the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs a month is a "failure." It took a decade to recover from the Great Depression; this recession would not have recovered in 1 or 2 years. Debt: most of it comes from two undeclared wars, Medicare Part D, TARP and the interest to pay on the debt issued for these Bush initiatives.
I despair that the candidates, campaigns and press constantly refer to "the middle class". It is about income in this country...not class. Undeniably there are lower income, middle income and upper income indiviatuals and families. Let's not drive deeper the wedges that divide by constantly referring to "class". Class transcends wealth and we all aspire to the realization that "all men are created equal".
What can I say about this mornings show? I found it a disappointing waste of an hour of my life. C. Christie sucks and the roundtable a wake for Romney's campaign.
Like so many I am disappointed in the quality of David Gregory's questions. He tries way to hard to co-opt the right wing and left wing "gotcha" approach. I certainly don't see a liberal bias, if any, quite the opposite.
What really disturbed me today, though, was Meet the Press elevating the status of Ralph Reed to that of a responsible guest. Give me a break. The man is forever tarnished by his scandalous past, and I for one, never wish to see him in a position of influence again.
I agree it was a mistake to give Ralph Reed a place at the table, giving him credibility he does not deserve.
Yea alot of "people" are asking Romney a bunch of hard questions...and he can't/won't answer them. He & Ryan are both empty suits with No plan other than go back to Bush's plan of More for the wealthy...less for the ever shrinking middle class.
Romney won't make it. He has that painful, uncomfortable smile all the time, like he's got a stick up his butt. I guess that's what happens when you're lying. The guy can't help himself unfortunately, he is who he is and he's not going to show up Obama. That's a given. Remember folks: Obama was the head of his debate team at HARVARD... Further, this crap about not raising taxes on the wealthy because they are the "job creaters" -give me a break -they have had those same breaks for the last decade & they've done NOTHING except SHIPPING OUR JOBS OVERSEAS. And as far as "no big government" -well, let's just get us some more of that, that wonderful deregulation that got us RIGHT where we are... Yeah, serve up some more of that... What a JOKE.
What you said was true, but soo funny. I will be laughing about this comment all day. I have often said something similar. Romney walks on the stage like a puppet who has to dodo. However, your description is much better.
Good job, Christie, you've helped raise expectations for Romney's performance. The more the public expects from him, the less he will be perceived to have delivered.
It is a very sad state of affairs when so many of you do not see that Obama is taking this Country down the drain and you are following the game. He lies and you swallow everything. Hard to believe. With Obama you are going to see taxes hit you like never before. All of us, not just the rich. You could take all of the money from the rich and we would still be so in debt, we can't recover from. Sadly I think he wants us in that state because of hate.
For the last 4 years, your payroll taxes were reduced substantially and more write-offs were added when you filed your yearly taxes to offset your life changes. Defend your party when they are right, and have the heart to abandon them when your interest in being disinfranchised.
Gail: Hallow accusations do not ring true. I challenge ANY lie told by President Obama to be posted and the source revealed. Our recession was the WORST in modern history and the recovery is happening without ANY Republican help. Why aren't they helping and why do you think they are???
The RICH have taken this country "down the drain" -one so big we may never get out. And, I laugh at the comment "we swallow everything...". Did you swallow the "weapons of mass destruction" lie and all the others Bush told? I personally don't like ANY politician, but we have two choices and mine is going to be the one who will stand up for the middle class. Romney doesn't fit that bill... sorry.
You're so full of B.S. someone could unscrew your head and dip it out with a spoon! You run all the way to the bank with your welfare check.
Voter Suppression should be referenced more as we get closer to the election. The sad thing about voter suppression is that more of it is being conducted by those who are in positons of power. Back in the 60's it was done by brutes on the street. Now, those brutes wear suits. They are elected politicians who are not using laws to prevent the poor and people of color from voting. How can America send representative overseas to watch over other countries' elections while taking the right to vote from her own citizens?
Ryan told Fox News interviewer it would take too long to explain his and Romney's tax plan... LOL Proof Romney/Ryan do not know their Arithmatic!!! 100%+0=100% Americans. 47%+0= MIDDLE CLASS ELECTING President OBAMA and VP BIDEN!!!
This is a preview of the Debates..We dont have time to explain here... so we want the Americans to guess what we will do... Romney/Ryan team.. answers!!!
Yeah, lets elect Mr. Hollywood and the Village idiot? Biden says, "This is f***ing big!" on open mic regarding OBAMACARE. Good choice Ms. Chester. 0 brains=Obama Administration.
VOTE ROMNEY & RYAN -- Success+Education=Prosperity and preserving the American Way and our Constitution.
Education? You mean after the GOP slashes public school and college student aid?
BTW, I'd rather have Biden using an expletive to emphasize something important than have Romney's recent phony empathy for average Americans.
Watch Romeny reveal a "holier than though" simple miracle plan like the "5 steps to a greater America plan" or something like that for the debates and expect people to believe this "BS simple miracle plan"....They will try to pull a Herman Cain "Super 9 step plan" fast one and expect people to eat it up...LOL....TThat Crisite guy reminds me of the disgusting complete Ahole slob dirty politicians like you see in batman cartoons or something by the way.
And that folks is the Liberal, Progressive mentality! Right David85? I wonder why Romney is wealthy and you are not? Too stupid perhaps?
struck a nerve and the truth, didnt I lil Gregory.....and by the way I'm not poor and extremely wealthy mentally and spiritually
Watching Gov Chris Christie run roughshod over the questioning was embarrassing, one reason I'm just an occasional watcher and my wife is a relatively faithful watcher. Implement a policy of shutting down the guest after refusing to answer 2 questions and I'm there every week.
I thought this was one of the worst shows since David Gregory has taken over.
First, isn't it obvious that we will know more about a chaotic event after 2 weeks than we knew after 1 week?(Benghazi) Why waste time on something so obvious? Because Peter King said something inflammatory? Isn't that what sensationalism is?
Second, why should it be such a big deal that the President is not meeting with foreign leaders less than a month before an election? What is he going to say to them? He can't make any promises or solve any problems because he might not have a job in January, especially if he doesn't focus on his campaign right now. Again, the time could be much better spent.
I am very disappointed and wish I could have this hour of my life back.
Repubs have short memories. Reagan increased the deficit 188%. George W. 100%+. Obama les than 50%. If you attribute current spending on Iraq and Afghanistan to Bush, which you should, then Obama has increased the deficit even less. Two past presidents (Republican) are responsible for more than half the deficit this country has built up over 236 years!
But no matter how hard you try, you can't get them to admit they are wrong. Tax cuts for the wealthy have never been directly reponsible for creating jobs. Putting money in the hands of everyday consumers will always create jobs. But where are those jobs? If you're spending at Wal-Mart, those jobs are in China. You can also bet that Mutt Robme has investments there.
Firstly, POTUS did not create this big hole in the economy. But, he is a man and once he became President he told America he would own it. That does not give the culprits who put us in this position to do nothing to diminish the debt they left behind. I, like other Americans starting suffering job and financial hardships immediately in 2000 when Bush took office. The problem just intensified with small businesses closing and bit contract companies induced by Republicans began to soar. Offering nothing but a paycheck. Then was when American's lives begin to dwindle. Republicans = jobs w/no benefits.
Mitt never had a plan for America, just the recycled Republican plan. Republicans are just too lazy and selfish to create policies for the people. They are only capable of creating policies for big Corporations, Koch Brothers and Nordquist.
As for Romney's and the debate, Olympic = accomplishment was taking money from Fed. Gov't. to fund. Bain = no job creation to discuss and just like Republicans, people losing pensions and jobs. Mass = highest State debt + jobs sent to India + a Healthcare bill demanded by Democrats and he signed by Romney.
Romney has no record of accomplishments except for getting rich at the expense of Americans. How can we nominate a person who has fought enriching America's economy by sending his money overseas, hiding it in loop holes and foreign banks, and still have not produced an honest tax return to make decisions about real Americans who keep their money in this country, bank in American banks, and who pay Fed., Local, State, Income, and other taxes to this country.
Send him back to Country Club Ann, and tell him NEVER to run for any office in this Country again.
Oh, him being caught on camera was the best thing for Americans. We knew he was a man with no morality or soul, but the tape confirmed this. NO ROMNEY HAS NO PLAN FOR AMERICA BUT TO CONTINUE WHAT REPUBLICANS STARTED, DEPLETING MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES OF THEIR GOD GIVEN RIGHTS.
Just blame all your hardships on the Republicans Realistic-2009. Clinton's only success in the White House was his affair with his Aide in the Blue Dress. Clinton rode on the coattails of Reagan's policies. You might recall that the economy was doing very well when Clinton took office. He laid claim to that success, but the fact of the matter is that Reagan made it very clear that America wouldn't see the benefits of Reganomics for several years -- hence that success was in full bloom by the time Clinton took office. Clinton was going down the tubes until his people pointed out that he needed to lighten up on his progressive, liberal policies and work with the Republicans.
In short, by the time Bush came along, so did 911. Bush was a hero. He wanted revenge and so did the American public. Hence, you have Kuwait and Iraq. Bush is still the hero, no matter what it costs. So now we're stuck with this administration and it's finger pointing, blameless hype. You want to blame the Republicans for your failures? Pull your boots up to your rear end and wade through the B.S.
If you've lost your job, get another one. If you've lost your benefits, change your plan. Stop sniveling and do something different than blaming the Republicans for "depleting middle-class families of their God given rights" to welfare? Food Stamps? Your benefits? Exactly what God-Given rights has the Republicans taken from you? (To earn a living? If you wanted to earn a living, you would be looking at the classifieds instead of posting a finger-pointing, poor me, "I suffered financial hardships in 2000 when Bush took office" dissertation on this site.
I suspect you made bad choices when you were young (failed education perhaps? or maybe bad investments?) Whatever your choices, we've all made bad ones, but some of us overcome our short comings and support our country and its constitution. You might do better if you would do the same.
Hummmm, how did Reaganomics create the Clinton years????? I would like a little more back up for that statement, Gregory from ??
How did President Obama cause the Bush economics to blow up?
If you equate luck to bad choices, I feel you need to get back to church or get to a hospital because you have lost your mind and heart in one felt swoop.
We had Iraq BECAUSE of Kuwait (Bush 41); that had been discussed privately before GWB won the 2000 election. And if the true effect of "voodoo" economics would not have been felt for a few years post-Reagan (who certainly would never have been nominated by today's GOP), why isn't the same given of Obama? Hundreds of thousands of jobs lost a month no longer occurs.
BTW, GWB urged Americans to sign up for food stamps ... add two undeclared wars, TARP, Medicare Part D and interest to pay for that borrowing, and the "Obama" debt is not a great percentage.
REWRITE WITH CORRECTIONS
Firstly, POTUS did not create this big hole in the economy. But, he is a man and once he became President he told America he would own it. That does not give the culprits who put us in this position to do nothing to diminish the debt they left behind. I, like other Americans starting suffering job and financial hardships immediately in 2000 when Bush took office. The problem just intensified with small businesses closing and big contract companies induced by Republicans began to soar, offering nothing but a paycheck. Then, was when American's lives begin to dwindle. Republicans = jobs w/no benefits.
Mitt never had a plan for America, just the recycled Republican plan. Republicans are just too lazy and selfish to create policies for the people. They are only capable of creating policies for big Corporations, Koch Brothers and Nordquist.
As for Romney and the debate, Olympics = his accomplishment was taking money from Fed. Gov't. to fund. Bain = no job creation to discuss but instead people losing pensions and jobs. Mass = highest State debt + jobs sent to India + a Healthcare bill demanded by Democrats and he signed by Romney.
Romney has no record of accomplishments except for getting rich at the expense of Americans. How can we nominate a person who has fought against enriching America's economy by sending his money overseas, hiding it in loop holes and foreign banks, and still to this date have not produced an honest tax return, to make decisions for real Americans who keep their money in this country, bank in American banks, and who pay Fed., Local, State, Income, and other taxes to this country.
Send him back to Country Club Ann, and tell him NEVER to run for any office in this Country again.
Oh, him being caught on camera was the best thing for Americans. We knew he was a man with no morality or soul, but the tape confirmed this. ROMNEY HAS NO PLAN FOR AMERICA BUT TO CONTINUE WHAT REPUBLICANS STARTED, DEPLETING MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES OF THEIR GOD GIVEN RIGHTS.
All I can say is David Gregory needs to go. FOX News could use him. I miss Tim Russet. Please Replace Him and let him go to Conservitive News.
Here here.
Ralph Reed at the table?!!!? The credibility of Meet the Press just took a nosedive! Reed is a sleazy fraud who should have gone to prison. At least Abramoff repented.
He looked so swarmy in his ill-fitting suit.
Ralph Reed has no shame. Bill Moyers did a great report on Reed as well as Rachel Maddow. Reed is the epitome of the false prophet
I agree
This will be my first vote ( 44 years of life) for anyone ever and its going to be Romney. Obama Care is the reason if anyone needs one??
The way I see it Romney might not have done good for the people but great for businesses he ran.. The USA is a Business and although I like the Volunteer message it doesn't bring home the bacon Romney can do for the country.. Sometimes the guy with the record of making hard choices is the one you want running your business because they get it back on top.. Presidents don't work off commission so I think we will be safe and way better off than with tax and spend Obama
You get it Vmaxmike. Not many people do, sad but true. The great black hope has turned out to be a turnip! Hope you Libs and progressives (who can read and write, that is) will like America in 2016 when you're looking at $20 some trillion in debt and taxes like France just implemented (75%).
How do you explain the Romney embrace of Romneycare when it suits him?