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Historian Douglas Brinkley grades how Obama and Romney did in the Presidential debate.
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And that that might not mean anything -- to -- historian Douglas Brinkley as to whether it could.
What do you think Douglas.
Well look I think the alarm you've done a good job have been listening to your program and I think it's a good night for Mitt Romney it's probably the best -- he's had been -- months.
On the has not had momentum in August and September as she said they swing states have.
Not been turning his way but he did more than stabilize things he came he was aggressive any did something and we can talk about the economy like you've been doing -- guess but.
Probably did something important tonight he gave I think an alternative term Barack Obama search started positioning himself as -- somebody who could be president.
Pres Obama did all right.
-- I don't think it's an historic debate people are going to be talking about a decade from now but it was the beginning I think admit don't Romney's potential comeback.
You know up senator rubio -- -- -- idea that.
He'd he'd -- jazz today -- it it -- address some key supporters who might be getting nervous looking at these polls these Romney missteps seated.
Video tape from last spring with 47% -- -- Other comments he made will do whether -- -- -- in the Middle East or others that he lost his momentum.
And as a result a lot of them -- lost enthusiasm.
He got it back tonight from that core base what do you make of that.
Yeah.
I agree with that and I think he's got to build on -- Smart Mitt Romney ask what he's gonna do in the morning he's got a and declare victory he's gonna say that I one truck Obama though didn't damage himself and any main way in you know they old slogan -- know.
Drama Obama he did not come in as a gladiator tonight you seem to want to have discourse.
We've Mitt Romney in the American people so he didn't do brand damage President Obama but I think you have to say Romney.
It's come out here rom a couple notches ahead of the president.
And if if if -- Mitt Romney couldn't do this on the next two debates.
That trend I think is quite significant debt I think on the president's -- -- up as game.
A little bit next time and cut its seeming to want to be more a fighting spirit time he seemed to kind of one of get get this silverware fell.
That's up Crockett of -- president and a front -- you don't feel like having two well.
Grappling probable but time was a good night -- -- the Republicans.
You know I always notice weird things I know it's I could be wrong neither was wearing a watch.
And they they wanted to avoid the publicity that is I think really look at a lot.
But historically.
Doug you've covered civilians today it's there are other subtle ones in 96 -- Kennedy and Nixon and -- with Carter and Reagan.
-- -- Do they move the -- do they ultimately decide election or did they confirm a trend or maybe in this case severe right.
Maybe slow or reverse would seem to be a trend toward the president want.
I think two things are gonna happen now there's going to be a fact checking I mean people are going to see.
What -- write them said they're swapping the way a lot of economic ideas and we'll see how that pans out then they'll be the polls.
Did Mitt Romney get a bounce from this -- And it would -- as you suggest donor money to Republican Party gets re energized it's a big win.
For Mitt Romney but there's not a sound -- that's gonna live on our memory I guess Romney got and that one about.
You know the airplane -- -- you know will again make out here on -- president.
Yeah but then you know that but beyond that there's nothing that's gonna be living doll really -- hot wire ten days from now it'll be more -- feeling.
The Romney did -- needed to do in the president seemed to kind of flat line at.
And so when in that regard it's it could be seen as significant.
You know like I know your greatest story and all of that but as you know Doug I read -- teleprompter so I think having your lead to judge.
I I have a theory on the president's -- -- that.
A lot but he could could be built out of -- -- it's not to disparage president.
But those who support him do so more out of concern -- not resentment.
A poor Mitt Romney then overwhelming zeal for the president and they're still concerned about the economy and it's still vary -- causes.
About where they think this nation is going so it wouldn't take much I don't lot -- said about.
The independence of those that made -- and -- but I think even among a lot of the president's borders I don't know what percentage of it maybe it is applied.
There is.
On an easy a kind of resignation.
Since -- it's -- -- -- because.
Well the other guy just doesn't appeal to me.
Is that well certainly -- changes happening here.
Pump up possibly I mean when there's a percent down over unemployment tell.
Democrats have to be -- little jittery.
About that but to Barack Obama has never been in my view of that particularly -- a bit of -- -- I don't really remember.
His great debate moment against John McCain it was more com.
McCain making gaffes we're Barack Obama better -- it is on the number of retail politics.
Takes an energizing crowds.
-- -- these debate format could end up being the be winning formula for at least Mitt Romney they can't get parity there already pretty close loopholes but will be interesting to just.
Making it now we're at parity -- seeking got under the president's skin every once saw them beat you you know these.
It -- these guys better.
In that historical sense that the president does edited -- doesn't like to be challenged.
It's back finds -- annoying there was that snide comment to Jim Lehrer -- you took five in my second it was a flippant comment I don't wanna exaggerated.
But it did kind of -- -- this notion that.
-- -- -- He can be it did to sensitive.
Well look they're Republicans had a problem and in 2011.
And early twelve and that's that they had -- over forty plus.
The dates but that -- -- Mitt Romney in the arena President Obama hasn't really had anybody challenging him building his administration has some Poland's Ian read aren't.
This is the first time they met a Republican was really to had to get that.
Mitt Romney mono a mono and so the president seemed at times -- think perturbed -- that he had to have beyond you know being the clock.
Or having to respond to while.
A Mitt Romney what he's after all the president of the United States on that -- a degree I agree with you.
Interest and -- that you know you ought to pursue this whole history thing and I think you have a future content I think I'll tell Reuters they don't have I'd love that he's.
You and you work the graveyard shift here I'm proud of you.
It is that it is that but Douglas thank your name.
Alone it is mile high and indeed the latest CDs going -- mile lights aren't we're gonna.
