2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Statement from Obama for America Campaign Manager Jim Messina on Tonight’s Debate

Statement from Campaign Manager Jim Messina on Tonight’s Debate

CHICAGO -- Obama for America released the following statement from Campaign Manager Jim Messina in reaction to tonight’s debate:

“Vice President Biden won tonight’s debate. In a clash between facts and conviction on one side and glib lines and empty promises on the other, tonight’s debate exposed the extreme risk that Romney-Ryan economics pose for the American middle-class and to our leadership in the world. This debate showed that facts and details matter – and it’s clear tonight that with their total disregard for both, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan know they can’t defend their indefensible plans.

“Ryan couldn’t explain how the Romney-Ryan tax plan wouldn’t hurt the middle-class, how their double-down on trickle-down would create a single job now, how their Iran policy would differ from the President’s, or what their plan is for our troops in Afghanistan – and when he was asked to ensure women that their right to choose would be protected, he refused to answer because they won’t protect it. With facts, convictions and straightforward answers, Vice President Biden illustrated how he’s spent a lifetime fighting for the middle-class and how he and President Obama will continue doing so in a second term.”

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush Statement on Tonight’s Vice-Presidential Debate

JEB BUSH: PAUL RYAN CLEARLY ARTICULATED A FUTURE WITH MORE ECONOMIC FREEDOM

Boston, MA – Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush made the following statement on tonight’s vice-presidential debate:

“Paul Ryan won the debate tonight because he articulated a better future under a Romney administration – one marked by more economic freedom, 12 million new jobs and a stronger middle class. I’m confident Americans want to restore our freedoms, reaffirm our founding principles and return the promise of more prosperity and more opportunity achievable under a thriving free market economy. That’s the America we can have with a Romney-Ryan administration.”

New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte Statement on Tonight’s Vice-Presidential Debate

SEN. KELLY AYOTTE: PAUL RYAN OFFERED SOLUTIONS, WHILE VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN DUCKED BLAME

Boston, MA – New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte made the following statement on tonight’s vice-presidential debate:

“Paul Ryan offered solutions while Vice President Biden tried to duck blame. He couldn't defend the failed Obama economy, which has buried America's middle class and left 23 million Americans struggling for work. While Biden delivered more misleading rhetoric, Paul Ryan told the American people how a Romney administration would get millions of jobless Americans back to work. And he was clear about the need to solve our debt crisis -- not hide from it, like President Obama has. The Romney-Ryan ticket is showing Americans that it has the right vision to grow the economy, create jobs, and get our fiscal house in order.”

Speaker of the House John Boehner Statement on Tonight’s Vice-Presidential Debate

SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER: THE CHOICE THIS NOVEMBER COULDN’T BE CLEARER

Boston, MA –Speaker of the House John Boehner made the following statement on tonight’s vice-presidential debate:

“Tonight, voters heard two distinct visions for the future of our country. Vice President Biden promised four more years of higher taxes, skyrocketing debt, and painfully high unemployment while Congressman Ryan outlined a plan for a real recovery that will create jobs, provide tax relief for the middle class, and clear the cloud of debt that is dragging on our economy. The choice for Americans in November is a big one, and Paul Ryan detailed a clear vision for a prosperous, thriving economy that fosters private sector job creation and opportunity for all.”

Speaker of the House John Boehner Statement on Tonight’s Vice-Presidential Debate

SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER: THE CHOICE THIS NOVEMBER COULDN’T BE CLEARER

Boston, MA –Speaker of the House John Boehner made the following statement on tonight’s vice-presidential debate:

“Tonight, voters heard two distinct visions for the future of our country. Vice President Biden promised four more years of higher taxes, skyrocketing debt, and painfully high unemployment while Congressman Ryan outlined a plan for a real recovery that will create jobs, provide tax relief for the middle class, and clear the cloud of debt that is dragging on our economy. The choice for Americans in November is a big one, and Paul Ryan detailed a clear vision for a prosperous, thriving economy that fosters private sector job creation and opportunity for all.”

Betty Douglas, Paul Ryan’s mother made the foillowing Statement on Tonight’s Vice-Presidential Debate

BETTY DOUGLAS: MITT ROMNEY AND PAUL RYAN WILL PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN MEDICARE

Boston, MA – Betty Douglas, Paul Ryan’s mother, made the following statement on tonight’s vice-presidential debate:

“Tonight’s debate showed seniors across the country that we have a very clear choice between the current administration, which has already cut Medicare by $716 billion to pay for Obamacare, and Mitt Romney and Paul who will protect Medicare for retirees like me and strengthen it for my grandchildren’s generation and generations thereafter.”

Statements From U.S. Congressman Tom Latham, U.S. Congressman Steve King, and Congressional candidates John Archer and Ben Lange of Iowa on Tonight's Vice-Presidential Debate

Statements From U.S. Congressman Tom Latham, U.S. Congressman Steve King, and Congressional candidates John Archer and Ben Lange of Iowa on Tonight's Vice-Presidential Debate

U.S. Congressman Tom Latham: “Congressman Ryan had a clear win in tonight’s debate because he explained to Iowans and all Americans why we can’t afford four more years with Barack Obama in the White House. We can’t afford four more trillion-dollar deficits, skyrocketing energy prices, rising healthcare premiums, and new taxes on the middle class. I have served with Paul Ryan, and I know that he and Mitt Romney have a deep understanding of the challenges confronting our nation and the solutions we need to get back on track. Tonight, we witnessed beyond a doubt that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are the right choice to lead our country on a path to prosperity.”

U.S. Congressman Steve King: “Tonight’s debate further revealed Vice President Joe Biden’s lack of understanding on what has gone wrong in America during President Obama’s watch. Instead of acknowledging the administration’s mistakes and shortcomings, the Vice President spent 90 minutes making excuses and advocating for more of the same failed policies that have increased our national debt by $5.5 trillion while failing to get our economy back on track. Congressman Ryan, however, provided details on how Mitt Romney will promote pro-growth policies that reform our tax code, foster upward mobility, and deliver more jobs and more take-home pay.”

John Archer, Candidate for Congress: “Tonight, Congressman Ryan stood up for seniors. He did not allow Vice President Biden to misrepresent his views. Biden also failed to defend the reckless spending he and President Obama have pushed for. Every Iowan, young and old, now owes over $51,000 in his or her share of the debt. President Obama, Vice President Biden, and their Congressional allies are burdening future generations and run the risk of not leaving them a stronger America.”

Ben Lange, Candidate for Congress: “This country faces serious economic woes. We need a President who has a real plan to address these issues and who is willing to find the best possible solutions through open dialogue across the aisle. Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan have a plan that will create 12 million jobs, foster upward mobility, and strengthen our middle class, and they have a proven record of working to bring both sides together. Vice President Biden again demonstrated that the current Administration will continue over the next four years to push a partisan agenda that will bury our ailing middle class by piling on the taxes, regulations, and debt.”

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor Statement on Tonight’s Vice-Presidential Debate

REP. ERIC CANTOR: PAUL RYAN OUTLINED A BOLD AGENDA FOR OUR COUNTRY’S FUTURE

Boston, MA – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor made the following statement on tonight’s vice-presidential debate:

“Congressman Ryan laid out a clear path for real recovery tonight. Instead of settling for four more years of the same – a stagnant economy, rising taxes and debt, and more Americans trapped in government dependency – voters can choose a path based on job creation and opportunity for all. Congressman Ryan clearly won this debate by outlining a vision for economic prosperity and a bold agenda for our country’s future. Voters have a big choice in November, and their choice was made even easier tonight.”

Romney Campaign: What they are saying in Iowa about the First Presidential Debate

What they are saying in Iowa about the choice Governor Romney presented on taxes and jobs during the debate:

DES MOINES REGISTER HEADLINE: "Undecided Iowans give debate edge to Romney" (Jason Noble, "Undecided Iowans give debate edge to Romney," Des Moines Register< http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121003/NEWS09/310030096/Undecided-Iowans-give-debate-edge-Romney?nclick_check=1> , 10/4/12)

"Among at least a handful of Iowa's undecided voters, the winner of Wednesday night's presidential debate was Republican challenger Mitt Romney." (Jason Noble, "Undecided Iowans give debate edge to Romney," Des Moines Register< http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121003/NEWS09/310030096/Undecided-Iowans-give-debate-edge-Romney?nclick_check=1> , 10/4/12)

JENNIFER JACOBS TWEET: "Romney exceeded expectations and gave Iowans a credible alternative; Obama was flat..." (@JenniferJJacobs<https://twitter.com/JenniferJJacobs>, Des Moines Register, 10/3/12)

SIMON CONWAY TWEET: "Slam dunk, home run, multiple touchdown win for #Romney..." (@SimonRadio1776<https://twitter.com/SimonRadio1776>, WHO-Radio, 10/3/12)

"By the end of the first half-hour, the romance had worn off. In fact, one might have expected Obama to throw up his hands and exclaim: 'Governor Romney, I just don't know you anymore!'" (Kathie Obradovich, "Obradovich: Obama can't be cold fish on next date," Des Moines Register< http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121003/OPINION01/310030097/Obradovich-Obama-can-t-cold-fish-next-date?nclick_check=1> , 10/4/12)

LUCAS DRAISEY, a University of Northern Iowa student: "I think tonight was a real game changer." (Jon Ericson, "GOP, Dems hold local debate watch parties," Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier< http://wcfcourier.com/elections/races/president/gop-dems-hold-local-debate-watch-parties/article_ef46a112-0dc5-11e2-996c-001a4bcf887a.html> , 10/3/12)

IOWA REPUBLICAN HEADLINE: "Mitt Massacres Obama In Round One" (Kevin Hall, "Mitt Massacres Obama In Round One," Iowa Republican< http://theiowarepublican.com/2012/mitt-massacres-obama-in-round-one/> , 10/3/12)

DAVE PRICE TWEET: "...I suspect consensus would say Romney helped himself most..." (@iDavePrice<https://twitter.com/idaveprice>, WHO-TV, 10/3/12)

TOM FRANCIS, Romney supporter: "Explain to the American public the ways in which Barack Obama has failed and do it in a very articulate way I think he's going to convince a lot of people to get off the sidelines and get out there and vote for him." ("Voters Watch Debate #1 Closely," KGAN-TV< http://www.cbs2iowa.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kgan_vid_12832.shtml> , 10/3/12)

SABRINA FEST, Romney Supporter: "I think it will sway people from Obama to Romney just because Romney has been stuck to his facts. He knows what he's saying and Obama has been more critical of Romney's things rather than saying what Obama's plan is." (Ron Marasco, "Metro Hosts Debate Watch Parties," WOI-TV< http://www.woi-tv.com/story/19731065/metro-hosts-debate-watching-parties> , 10/3/12)

MEGHANNE ADAMS, Romney Supporter: "He is just a humble, sincere guy that does have America's best interest at heart and he is ready to be the President of the United States." (Daniel Corey, "Siouxlanders tune in to watch presidential candidates debate," KITV-TV< http://www.ktiv.com/story/19731105/siouxland-hosts-presidental-debate-parties> , 10/3/12)

LIZ NIGGELING, Romney Supporter: "The country needs a leader that has a strong business background, I feel that we can trust someone who has been so successful in business to lead our country in the kind of state we're in now, I think we need rescuing." (Heather Leigh, "Local Reaction to the First Presidential Debate," KMEG-TV< http://www.kmeg.com/story/19731061/local-reaction-to-the-first-presidential-debate> , 10/3/12)

"Mitt Romney likely exceeded expectations and gave Iowans a credible alternative, while President Barack Obama was a bit flat in his performance..." (Jennifer Jacobs, "Iowa analysts: Romney did well, Obama didn't err," Des Moines Register< http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121003/NEWS09/310030100/Iowa-analysts-Romney-did-well-Obama-didn-t-err> , 10/3/12)

BILL SCHICKEL, Romney Supporter: "Gov. Romney was the clear winner." (John Skipper, "Who won? No surprise in local reaction to debate," Globe Gazette< http://globegazette.com/news/local/who-won-no-surprise-in-local-reaction-to-debate/article_9fcd2316-0de0-11e2-b1ce-001a4bcf887a.html> , 10/3/12)

Governor Walker Statement on the First Presidential Debate

Governor Walker Statement on the First Presidential Debate

Madison, Wis. – Governor Scott Walker released the following statement tonight following Governor Mitt Romney’s decisive victory in the first presidential debate:

"Mitt Romney scored a clear victory tonight by laying out his plan to get America working again and showing the kind of passion voters want from a president. Voters in Wisconsin want leadership from their president, and tonight they clearly saw that Mitt Romney will provide the bold and strong leadership they desire. We must elect Mitt Romney this fall because Wisconsinites cannot afford another four years of President Obama's failed policies."