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| Debate decoder: the final presidential face-off deconstructed | Debate decoder: the final presidential face-off deconstructed |
| (1 day later) | |
| The final opportunity to judge Barack Obama and Mitt Romney side-by-side was a debate on foreign policy. In what has been a highly charged and unpredictable debate season, the final match-up proved to be a disappointment. | The final opportunity to judge Barack Obama and Mitt Romney side-by-side was a debate on foreign policy. In what has been a highly charged and unpredictable debate season, the final match-up proved to be a disappointment. |
| We expected a foreign policy debate and what we got was a lot of talk on economy and – according to Guardian commentators – the worst debate of the season too. As Richard Adams wrote in our live blog: "Bob Schieffer's non-existent moderating meant that the two candidates wandered way off topic without a pause for thought, and there were terrible questions to boot." Tax cuts, teachers, jobs and unions all got substantial airtime, while immigration, the eurozone and climate change were left undiscussed. As for who won – the consensus seems to be that Obama carried the night, although Romney managed to hold his own. | We expected a foreign policy debate and what we got was a lot of talk on economy and – according to Guardian commentators – the worst debate of the season too. As Richard Adams wrote in our live blog: "Bob Schieffer's non-existent moderating meant that the two candidates wandered way off topic without a pause for thought, and there were terrible questions to boot." Tax cuts, teachers, jobs and unions all got substantial airtime, while immigration, the eurozone and climate change were left undiscussed. As for who won – the consensus seems to be that Obama carried the night, although Romney managed to hold his own. |
| Unfortunately for Twitter, the night was gaffe-free – no big screw-ups came out for either side (or us!) to parade. The evening did have its momentary moments of substance though, as the candidates proffered up some plans. If the night sounds like a bit of a bore, it's because, well, it was. | Unfortunately for Twitter, the night was gaffe-free – no big screw-ups came out for either side (or us!) to parade. The evening did have its momentary moments of substance though, as the candidates proffered up some plans. If the night sounds like a bit of a bore, it's because, well, it was. |
| But in addition to "who won?" – the standard post-debate question – we want to know what the debate revealed about the intentions of the candidates and the priorities of the journalists asking the questions too. | But in addition to "who won?" – the standard post-debate question – we want to know what the debate revealed about the intentions of the candidates and the priorities of the journalists asking the questions too. |
| Here's what we found in last night's showdown: | Here's what we found in last night's showdown: |
| Navigate the decoder: | Navigate the decoder: |
| Framing the debate: Moderator Bob Schieffer's questions • Questions in a graph | Framing the debate: Moderator Bob Schieffer's questions • Questions in a graph |
| Candidates face off: Obama and Romney's answers • Answers in a graph • Romney v Obama (by topic) | Candidates face off: Obama and Romney's answers • Answers in a graph • Romney v Obama (by topic) |
| Notable moments | The buzz | Notable moments | The buzz |
| Date | October 22, 2012 Air time | 9.00-10.30pm ET Location | Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida Sponsor | Commission on Presidential Debates Moderator | Bob Schieffer (CBS's Face the Nation) | Date | October 22, 2012 Air time | 9.00-10.30pm ET Location | Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida Sponsor | Commission on Presidential Debates Moderator | Bob Schieffer (CBS's Face the Nation) |
| Framing the debate: moderator Bob Schieffer's questions | Framing the debate: moderator Bob Schieffer's questions |
| Like Jim Lehrer in the first debate moderator Bob Schieffer released the final question topics well ahead of this last match, though not his prepared questions. The categories, as he defined them, were to be: "America's Role in the World; Our Longest War – Afghanistan and Pakistan; Red Lines – Israel and Iran; the Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism – I; the Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism – II; and the Rise of China and Tomorrow's World." (We've classified those a little more clearly below.) | Like Jim Lehrer in the first debate moderator Bob Schieffer released the final question topics well ahead of this last match, though not his prepared questions. The categories, as he defined them, were to be: "America's Role in the World; Our Longest War – Afghanistan and Pakistan; Red Lines – Israel and Iran; the Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism – I; the Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism – II; and the Rise of China and Tomorrow's World." (We've classified those a little more clearly below.) |
| Though Obama and Romney's answers often veered away from foreign policy, Schieffer attempted to stick to the script. His questions largely focused on the Middle East, and touched on the US's relationship with China. All in all the countries covered by his questions were Libya, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Japan (only a passing reference), Afghanistan, Pakistan, and, of course, China – a rather limited worldview as Slate's Matt Yglesias mapped about two-thirds of the way though the debate. | Though Obama and Romney's answers often veered away from foreign policy, Schieffer attempted to stick to the script. His questions largely focused on the Middle East, and touched on the US's relationship with China. All in all the countries covered by his questions were Libya, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Japan (only a passing reference), Afghanistan, Pakistan, and, of course, China – a rather limited worldview as Slate's Matt Yglesias mapped about two-thirds of the way though the debate. |
| Schieffer, of course, asked many follow-ups too. Most remained squarely within the theme set by the preceding question, but one follow-up was significant enough on its own that we felt we had to count it separately. Under the banner of "Our longest war – Afghanistan and Pakistan", Schiffer turned to Romney: "Let me ask you, governor, because we know President Obama's position on this. What is your position on the use of drones?" | Schieffer, of course, asked many follow-ups too. Most remained squarely within the theme set by the preceding question, but one follow-up was significant enough on its own that we felt we had to count it separately. Under the banner of "Our longest war – Afghanistan and Pakistan", Schiffer turned to Romney: "Let me ask you, governor, because we know President Obama's position on this. What is your position on the use of drones?" |
| That brings Schieffer's total question count up to seven, one up from the expected six. Here is a breakdown of Schieffer's question topics in a graphic. (We'll eventually add up the topics across debates to see what was covered overall, and what was left out.) | That brings Schieffer's total question count up to seven, one up from the expected six. Here is a breakdown of Schieffer's question topics in a graphic. (We'll eventually add up the topics across debates to see what was covered overall, and what was left out.) |
| Here is a breakdown of Scheiffer's question topics in a graphic. (We will eventually add up the topics across debates to see what was covered overall, and what was left out.) # | Here is a breakdown of Scheiffer's question topics in a graphic. (We will eventually add up the topics across debates to see what was covered overall, and what was left out.) # |
| Some topics that went uncovered included the eurozone crisis, relations with the US's southern neighbors – Mexico, Latin America, and the recently topical Cuba too – and much more. | Some topics that went uncovered included the eurozone crisis, relations with the US's southern neighbors – Mexico, Latin America, and the recently topical Cuba too – and much more. |
| See all the questions Schieffer asked in the final presidential debate transcript. | See all the questions Schieffer asked in the final presidential debate transcript. |
| Candidates face off: Obama and Romney's answers | Candidates face off: Obama and Romney's answers |
| We tracked how Romney and Obama answered Schieffer's questions. Though this debate was intended to cover foreign policy, both candidates kept returning to the subject of the economy. Over and over both Obama and Romney quickly pivoted from foreign policy to jobs and taxes. | We tracked how Romney and Obama answered Schieffer's questions. Though this debate was intended to cover foreign policy, both candidates kept returning to the subject of the economy. Over and over both Obama and Romney quickly pivoted from foreign policy to jobs and taxes. |
| We also looked to answer our big decoder questions: did the candidates stay in attack mode – tearing the other guy down – or spend more time on their own accomplishments – building themselves up? Did they give us well-wrought blueprints for the future or withhold specific plans and promises in this final debate? | We also looked to answer our big decoder questions: did the candidates stay in attack mode – tearing the other guy down – or spend more time on their own accomplishments – building themselves up? Did they give us well-wrought blueprints for the future or withhold specific plans and promises in this final debate? |
| It turns out that Romney and Obama were more evenly matched when it came to offering plans tonight than in previous debates, though Obama remained characteristically low on promises. When it came to touting his resume, though, the president knocked it out of the park: Obama mentioned his accomplishments 22 times over the hour and a half debate, to Romney's three resume references. The president also came prepared to attack. He launched 20 jabs to Romney's 14. | It turns out that Romney and Obama were more evenly matched when it came to offering plans tonight than in previous debates, though Obama remained characteristically low on promises. When it came to touting his resume, though, the president knocked it out of the park: Obama mentioned his accomplishments 22 times over the hour and a half debate, to Romney's three resume references. The president also came prepared to attack. He launched 20 jabs to Romney's 14. |
| You can see how their debate responses break down in the chart below. Here's a quick key: | You can see how their debate responses break down in the chart below. Here's a quick key: |
| • Resume: what we define as "building yourself up." This is when candidates refer back to their own accomplishments and past experience | • Resume: what we define as "building yourself up." This is when candidates refer back to their own accomplishments and past experience |
| • Attacks: also known as "Breaking the other guy down." This is when candidates make explicit jabs at an opponent's policy or character | • Attacks: also known as "Breaking the other guy down." This is when candidates make explicit jabs at an opponent's policy or character |
| • Promises: any time the candidate makes intention statement: "I will" or "I want to." | • Promises: any time the candidate makes intention statement: "I will" or "I want to." |
| • Plans: any step-by-step solution to a specific question, such as "To fix the economy, I will..." | • Plans: any step-by-step solution to a specific question, such as "To fix the economy, I will..." |
Barack Obama is denoted in blue and Mitt Romney is in red.# | Barack Obama is denoted in blue and Mitt Romney is in red.# |
| Plans and promises are the core of what the candidates are offering the American public - a blueprint for what the political future may hold. Here's what Romney and Obama told us in last night's debate. # | Plans and promises are the core of what the candidates are offering the American public - a blueprint for what the political future may hold. Here's what Romney and Obama told us in last night's debate. # |
| # | # |
| Even though the debate commission, Schieffer and the campaigns themselves initially intended this last debate to focus heavily on foreign policy, both Romney and Obama seemed to take the adage "It's the economy, stupid" to heart. The president pivoted his answers like a champ, changing from topics such as counter-terrorism efforts to talk of "nation-building here at home". But Romney jumped on that bandwagon, too. The duo argued about taxes, the auto bailout and much more in this supposedly foreign-centric debate. | Even though the debate commission, Schieffer and the campaigns themselves initially intended this last debate to focus heavily on foreign policy, both Romney and Obama seemed to take the adage "It's the economy, stupid" to heart. The president pivoted his answers like a champ, changing from topics such as counter-terrorism efforts to talk of "nation-building here at home". But Romney jumped on that bandwagon, too. The duo argued about taxes, the auto bailout and much more in this supposedly foreign-centric debate. |
| When they did stick to the foreign policy topic at hand, they took a cue from Schieffer and stayed centered on the Middle East, with nods to China. Overall, the countries most often brought up by the two candidates were Iran (36 mentions), Israel (32), China (30), Syria (25), and Pakistan (20). Iraq and Afghanistan were a close sixth and seventh. Other countries received only passing mentions, like Turkey, Yemen, Tunisia, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia. Take note: European countries were only briefly mentioned by name: Greece (twice), France (once), Poland (once) and the United Kingdom (once), though no one said anything about the euro. Latin and South America, sadly, remained nameless - no individual countries were cited. See the whole transcript here. | |
| Notable moments, laugh lines and unexpected turns | Notable moments, laugh lines and unexpected turns |
| The candidates ping-ponged from topic to topic during their answers, making last night's debate difficult to follow and questions equally difficult to remember. Not much stuck out to us during this debate, save some zingers that got laughs for Obama. | The candidates ping-ponged from topic to topic during their answers, making last night's debate difficult to follow and questions equally difficult to remember. Not much stuck out to us during this debate, save some zingers that got laughs for Obama. |
| Zinger: After reminding Romney that just a few months ago he'd slipped a beat and called 'Russia the biggest geo-political threat' Obama almost sang his next retort: "The 80s are calling to ask for their foreign policy back." Before we start quoting lyrics from Metallica's Fight Fire with Fire, we'll move on to the next zinger. | Zinger: After reminding Romney that just a few months ago he'd slipped a beat and called 'Russia the biggest geo-political threat' Obama almost sang his next retort: "The 80s are calling to ask for their foreign policy back." Before we start quoting lyrics from Metallica's Fight Fire with Fire, we'll move on to the next zinger. |
| Zingy zinger: One thing leads to another, and next thing we know Romney had invoked history too. He pointed out that both the US navy and air force are respectively smaller now than at any time since 1917 or 1947. Obama quickly jabbed the governor: "We also have fewer horses and bayonets, because the nature of our military's changed. We have these things called aircraft carriers, where planes land on them. We have these ships that go underwater, nuclear submarines." And yes, if you hadn't already guessed, hashtag #horsesandbayonets was trending almost immediately. | Zingy zinger: One thing leads to another, and next thing we know Romney had invoked history too. He pointed out that both the US navy and air force are respectively smaller now than at any time since 1917 or 1947. Obama quickly jabbed the governor: "We also have fewer horses and bayonets, because the nature of our military's changed. We have these things called aircraft carriers, where planes land on them. We have these ships that go underwater, nuclear submarines." And yes, if you hadn't already guessed, hashtag #horsesandbayonets was trending almost immediately. |
| The buzz: gauging Twitter on the debate | The buzz: gauging Twitter on the debate |
| Buzz is perhaps too strong of a word to describe the kind of chatter that went on during last night's debate. Sure, there here were a couple of laugh lines (as described above) but overall the internet was starved for meme-making material – even horses and bayonets (one of Obama's big lines of the night) failed to strike a major chord. Womp. | Buzz is perhaps too strong of a word to describe the kind of chatter that went on during last night's debate. Sure, there here were a couple of laugh lines (as described above) but overall the internet was starved for meme-making material – even horses and bayonets (one of Obama's big lines of the night) failed to strike a major chord. Womp. |
| LOL. Also, *sigh* RT @horses_bayonets: how do i monetize this | LOL. Also, *sigh* RT @horses_bayonets: how do i monetize this |
| Close but no binder RT @ruths nice effort, Internet. RT @obamasbayonets: HORSES AND BAYONETS! | Close but no binder RT @ruths nice effort, Internet. RT @obamasbayonets: HORSES AND BAYONETS! |
| Every debate night, the moderator has had his or her performance reviewed by the tweeting public and tonight was no different. According to our own Richard Adams, Bob Schieffer made "Jim Lehrer seem like he was on crack." Cracked or not, Schieffer certainly didn't say much, and compared to Candy Crowley and Martha Raddatz, he let the candidates have their way with the questions. It's worth noting, however, that even thought Bob Schieffer's dismal performance rivaled Jim Lehrer's – a "@silentbobshieffer" account failed to appear. | Every debate night, the moderator has had his or her performance reviewed by the tweeting public and tonight was no different. According to our own Richard Adams, Bob Schieffer made "Jim Lehrer seem like he was on crack." Cracked or not, Schieffer certainly didn't say much, and compared to Candy Crowley and Martha Raddatz, he let the candidates have their way with the questions. It's worth noting, however, that even thought Bob Schieffer's dismal performance rivaled Jim Lehrer's – a "@silentbobshieffer" account failed to appear. |
| Christ. Bob, pull out a globe, spin it, pick a point and ask a damn question. #debate | Christ. Bob, pull out a globe, spin it, pick a point and ask a damn question. #debate |
| Bob Schieffer is getting some serious Zzzz right now. #debate | Bob Schieffer is getting some serious Zzzz right now. #debate |
| There may not have been many memes or parody accounts, but there was definitely still a lot of talk – and a lot of it was over how much Romney and Obama agreed on foreign policy issues like drones and Afghanistan. The biggest issues of contention came during the portion of the night when teachers, unions and tax breaks found their way into the debate. | There may not have been many memes or parody accounts, but there was definitely still a lot of talk – and a lot of it was over how much Romney and Obama agreed on foreign policy issues like drones and Afghanistan. The biggest issues of contention came during the portion of the night when teachers, unions and tax breaks found their way into the debate. |
| Now Obama's agreeing with Romney #BFFs | Now Obama's agreeing with Romney #BFFs |
| somewhere on Michigan Ave, a kid in a hoodie is knee deep in Final Cut polishing off a web vid of Romney agreeing with Obama | somewhere on Michigan Ave, a kid in a hoodie is knee deep in Final Cut polishing off a web vid of Romney agreeing with Obama |
| The way Romney is agreeing with the president it's really too bad he's not registered to vote in a swing state. | The way Romney is agreeing with the president it's really too bad he's not registered to vote in a swing state. |