Twitter messages are ramping up as we get closer to the third and final presidential debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla. Tweets with spin room reports, strategy points, digs at tonight’s moderator Bob Schieffer and some light-hearted joking are pouring in, looking ahead to the showdown between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
The first two debates drew TV audiences that led television, or any medium, on their respective nights: 67.2 million watched the first one, and 65.6 million watched the second, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. With Monday Night Football and the Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, it will be interesting to see the ratings tally for the final clash between the candidates.
Blogger and columnist Michelle Malkin noted the title of Schieffer’s book in one of a series of tweets casting doubt on the moderator’s neutrality:
“.@bobschieffer book: “The Acting President: Reagan & the Supporting Players Who Helped Him Create Illusion That Held America Spellbound.” -
(@michellemalkin)
And another from Malkin:
“September 2012: Impartial @bobschieffer analysis of Clinton DNC address: "Just an amazing speech."
New York Daily News opinion editor Josh Greenman joked:
“Remember, Bob Schieffer, there is such a thing as a dumb question.” - (@joshgreenman)
Editor’s Note: Who do you think won the last debate? Click here to vote in urgent poll.
Journalists had plenty to say about the venue:
Marc Caputo of the Miami Herald:
“It's official: Lynn University is the worst place to have a presidential debate and the decision to shut down the road network is moronic
- (@MarcACaputo)
And from Garrett Haake of NBC News:
“Lynn U clearly maxing out student experience for debate. Giant watch party/carnival going on some 300 yards from debate hall.”
- (@GarrettNBCNews)
There was plenty of levity as the clock ticked down to start time:
Sam Stein, White House correspondent for Huffington Post, tweeted:
“all polling is irrelevant until Donald Trump reveals his Obama bombshell” - (@samsteinhp)
And Slate’s Dave Weigel chimed in:
“For old times' sake, the candidates have agreed to spend half of this debate discussing Joe the Plumber.” - (@daveweigel)
Politico’s Roger Simon captured the long waiting game ahead of the big news night:
“The mood in the press room has ratcheted up from ennui to fatigue. #debates” - (@politicoroger)
Simon again:
“What's the over/under on reporters using the term "rubber match" in their stories tonight? #debates”
There was of course some serious analysis, such as this from National Review writer Charles C.W. Cooke:
“I'm looking forward to watching Obama debate George W. Bush this evening.” - (@charlescwcooke)
Donald Trump, who will be tweeting throughout the debate, is looking forward to the discussion on Libya:
“I look forward to @MittRomney hitting Obama hard tonight for lying about Benghazi. CIA told Obama it was a terrorist attack after 24 hrs.” - (@realDonaldTrump)
A pre-debate tradition is tweeting questions that should be asked.
Commentator, author and columnist David Limbaugh wants to ask:
“Will Mitt ask Obama why he has abandoned our space military research? Why he wants to unilaterally take our nukes down by as much as 80%?” - (@DavidLimbaugh)
And this as well:
“Mitt, pls ask this America-bashing press why his administration trashed America, including AZ imm law to American-hating UN Human RTs Commis”
Tax reformer Grover Norquist asked:
“Question for both Obama and Mitt: Name the European capital cities with exactly four letters in their names.” - (@GroverNorquist)
Washington Post foreign affairs blogger Max Fisher tweets a National Journal story that looks ahead to Romney’s Iran approach:
"Natl Journal thinks that Romney will drop his hawkish approach on Iran tonight and advocate diplomacy" - (@Max_Fisher)
Some action ahead of the debate in the spin room merits some tweets, this one from Chris Moody, political reporter for Yahoo! News:
“In the spin room pre-debate, John Kerry going after Romney hard for signing @GroverNorquist's pledge not to raise taxes.” - (@Chris_Moody)
Of course, everyone must eat before the big show, including the candidates, which of course generates Tweets.
Josh Gerstein of Politico:
“I love how Obama had steak and Romney had veggie burger today. Both playing against type and may do same in debate tonight.” - (@joshgerstein)
David Axelrod:
“With Plouffe, Carney and Favreau for a little pre-debate repast at the Boca Diner. Looking forward to tonight!” - (@davidaxelrod)
Editor’s Note: Who do you think won the last debate? Click here to vote in urgent poll.
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