Thanks to everyone who turned out to watch the presidential debate last night at the Back Stage—and sorry to everyone who was turned away when the space reached capacity. The people who couldn’t watch the debate were really the lucky ones in the end, though.

The debate, moderated by a 100-year-old mop, was rather insufferable. It was supposed to deal with “domestic policy,” but apparently the only domestic policies worth discussing are taxes, taxes, healthcare, and taxes.

The debates are pure political circus and are not helpful for actually determining who to vote for—but they are helpful to see what’s on the national agenda for discussion. And somehow Obama’s campaign has allowed the entire conversation to be dominated by taxes, rather than the areas where Obama’s done arguably solid work, like supporting access to birth control, repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and helping young immigrants.

Check out a winner buzzword bingo card from last night. What words were mentioned in the debate?

Photo_213.jpg

Job creation, common sense, middle class, God, bipartisan, “the American people”, debt, “common sense”, and Bill Clinton.

Not mentioned? Women, birth control, media, or same-sex. Also, anything about the environment (except for, uh, “clean coal”), anything about transportation, or any of the major national social issues that actually determine why I vote Democrat instead of Republican.

Sarah Shay Mirk reported on transportation, sex and gender issues, and politics at the Mercury from 2008-2013. They have gone on to make many things, including countless comics and several books.

10 replies on “What Was NOT Said During Last Night’s Debate?”

  2. Agree.

    The topic of education was discussed for longer than any debate that I can remember. Unfortunately, most of their points did not make sense. It’s nice to know that Romney cares about strengthening education; but he didn’t explain how he would support it, nor how all of his proposed tax cuts and subsequent program-cutting would coincide/conflict with his support for better education programs.

  3. There’s not enough time to talk about everything which is why there’s numerous debates. Civil Rights just wasn’t the topic of discussion last night.

  4. Agree! Too much time was spent going in circles, dishing out the same catch phrases. Ugh. Poor Jim Lehrer. I wouldn’t call him a mop, just a great journalist past his prime. Not fit to moderate.

  6. On the environmental front, renewable energy and “green jobs” were brought up at least a couple times, though not in any depth. Obama mentioned the ending of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell as one of his accomplishments. He also mentioned Michelle, which means he talked about women more than Romney did. I mean, technically.

    I’m not saying I thought it was a good debate, but I’m not upset that they didn’t get into some of that stuff. We already know that Obama is with us in wanting to kill unborn babies, preventing America from using its resources and keeping its people employed so we can have more trees and owls to hug, tolerating dark skinned people and their warlike religions, and promoting unrestrained and brutal gay sex on the street and in our schools. And Romney’s against all that. Making all that left vs. right big vision stuff clear is what the conventions and stump speeches are for.

  7. Maybe these things weren’t mentioned because Obama knows that the majority of Americans are watching this time. Not just HIS people. Not just the divided groups. Not just the pie-eyed sycophant yea-sayers. Moderates and independents are watching. Many of his policies pissed a lot of people off. If he sits there and defends his poor record, he is fucked. If he keeps on blaming Bush, he is fucked. He if keeps on blaming the Republicans, you guessed it. I think the only thing he can do at this point is tell the majority of Americans that are paying attention now that hey, I screwed up. No more excuses. I can turn this around. Mr. Romney is a capable man but this is why I believe I can do better for our country and for your family. I know my record isn’t good. But I will get it done this time.

    Stick with your divisive minions and you’re done in Nov.

  8. Also not mentioned:
    – targeted extrajudicial assassination of US citizens
    – indefinite detention of US citizens without charges
    – revocation of posse comitatus
    – 400% increase in citizens monitored by unwarranted wiretaps

    Oh, that’s right. Lehrer mentioned something about wanting to focus on topics where the candidates might disagree.

  9. Here’s the list that I used:

    Bi-Partisan
    Bill Clinton
    Anecdote about soldier
    George W. Bush
    Romney Smirk
    Obama’s Beautiful Smile
    Facebook
    Bin Laden
    “The Media”
    refers to “men and women” of military
    “Heart”
    Offshore
    Afghanistan
    “Job-Creators”
    Occupy or “Let me finish”
    9/11
    47%
    The American People
    Emergency Room
    Women
    “Common Sense”
    CROWD BOOS
    “Middle Class”
    Anecdote about common American
    “Move the Country Forward”
    Debt
    “Same-sex” or Fox News
    “disavow”
    “Game Changer” or Birth Control
    The Olympics
    Socialism / Redistribution
    Solyndra
    Those goddamn unions
    HECKLER
    Clean Coal or “Back on Track”
    “Make no mistake…”
    “My friends…”
    Ronald Reagan
    Closed hand, thumb on top gesture
    Moderator loses control
    Awful pop culture reference
    “Fiscal cliff”
    Takes fake notes
    GAFFE!!!
    “across the aisle”
    Names any Foreign Leader
    China
    “Obamacare”
    JOBS JOBS JOBS
    Droppin the ‘g’
    Math reference
    Anecdote about family
    ZINGER!!!

  10. I’m just waiting for the day where a presidential debate consists of pulling their dick out of their pants and chanting “USA! USA! USA!”

    That would be as worthwhile from a policy perspective as these debates are, and Americans could say with confidence who they were going to vote for.

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