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Presidential Debate 2012: AOL's After Debate Coverage

First Posted: 10/04/12 09:45 AM ET Updated: 10/04/12 02:56 PM ET

Last night, millions of Americans watched President Obama and Mitt Romney square off in the pair's first televised debate. But now that the smoke has cleared and we've all had a cup of coffee, it's time to break down how it all played out.

AOL has you covered: from the economic play-by-play on Daily Finance to insider politics on Huffington Post to a fun look at presidential style on Stylelist. And wall-to-wall post game coverage on Huff Post Live.

Heres'a break down of some of the best coverage across our properties.

AOL LIVE STREAM
AOL live-streamed the debate at it's 'Debate Center' and operated a real-time live blog below the video player. You can watch the debate in its entirety there now, and look through what AOL editors posted on the live blog as the debate unfolded: http://debates.aol.com

UNDECIDED VOTERS SPEAK OUT
In our New York studios, democratic strategist Chris Kofinis in association with pollster Frank Luntz's organization conducted a focus group with undecided voters who watched the debate and provided real-time feedback about which candidate's responses resonated with them most. Here's how the voters scored one crucial exchange.

HUFF POST LIVE
Our streaming news network ran wall-to-wall coverage and analysis before and after the debates. Here are some of the night's best moments.

DAILY FINANCE
On Daily Finance, democratic strategist Chris Kofinis and noted pollster Frank Luntz broke down how Romney used a 'blizzard of facts' to outshine a 'passive bordering on disinterest[ed]' President Obama, to carry him a decisive and much-needed debate victory.

HUFFINGTON POST
HuffPost Politics ran a live blog with in-depth and real-time coverage and fact-checking.

HuffPost Business took a critical look at Romney's claim that Obamacare 'has killed jobs' by exploring CBO figures that suggest otherwise.

HuffPost Media recounted a moment where President Obama got testy with debate moderator Jim Lehrer.

PATCH
Patch held viewing parties across the country and provided insight into what local voters took away from the debate -- and who they thought prevailed. http://politics.patch.com

STYLE
HuffPost Style and StyleList took a look at the fashion choices of the candidates' wives.

 
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01:22 AM on 10/05/2012
The zombies are out tonight
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bettergranite
Diiid iiii Doooo Thaaaat?
05:47 PM on 10/04/2012
Last nite Romney showed me, Once again, Who I've always known him to be. The only reason a lot of people were supprised is because the Left Leaning media has always portrayed him as a villian. The left wing media could only protect obama for so long. Now the world is getting to see Romney for the True Leader he is. A man of integrity, A man who loves this country, A man who truley cares about ALL people, A man who cares about the plight of the poor, A man of faith, and a man of principle.
The media has always had him wrong. I hear on this site, People who keep parroting back what they hear from the media. Now the truth is comming out.
03:19 PM on 10/04/2012
There is now a clear cut choice for Americans to make. Romney showed a very clear Presidential demeanor last night while Obama (without a teleprompter) had no clue what he was saying or doing! Romney shot him down every time he tried to use the left wing "spin" to try and falsify the fact that his administration has been a complete failure. He has never led this nation, but sure did a great job with his golf game! 4 more years of this guy and there will be NOTHING left of the USa as we know it!
02:55 PM on 10/04/2012
I wish people would get off of the corporate tax debate. Corporations DO NOT PAY TAXES. If you knew anything about US economics you would know that the CONSUMERS pay. Either they simply raise the prices on all of their products to meet the new demands or they simply do not give their shareholders (many times that is you/me who own stock in their companies) a bigger chunk of their profits / dividends. This is why it drives me crazy when people and politicians go on and on and on about this point. If you don't believe me, find a local economist and ask him.
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bettergranite
Diiid iiii Doooo Thaaaat?
05:55 PM on 10/04/2012
You obviously don't understand anything about corporate tax structures. WE do pay taxes, A LOT of taxes. If I started to list all the different taxes and fees ( Also Taxes ) That corporations pay, I'd be here for a while. So, If you are NOT incorporated, I would suggest you stick to speaking of things you know about.
02:48 PM on 10/04/2012
The idol has feet of clay. Obama has never before in his life been challenged. Every door has been opened for him to stroll through. The one possible exception was his failed race against Bobby Rush for US Congress. Maybe Abe Lincoln was right after all: ". . . . you can't fool all of the people all of the time."

As much as the liberals are criticizing his performance in the debate, considering the results of his presidentcy, I don't know who could have done better. One could almost feel sorry for him --- almost!
02:49 PM on 10/04/2012
Sorry -- it's "presidency" of course
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bettergranite
Diiid iiii Doooo Thaaaat?
02:40 PM on 10/04/2012
If obama wins, These nation will go through fundamental changes that will jeopardize our very constitution. There will be no stopping him from weaving his ideology into our laws. Like obama care, It will be difficult to correct the changes he will make. Our freedoms will be compromised, Our economy will be changed to a socialized economy and it will be the beginning of the end to our 2nd. amendment.
People, Look at his ideology, It IS a socialized philosophy. If we continue down this path any further, It will be almost imposable to turn back.
06:46 PM on 10/07/2012
the president can't change the constitution without 2/3 of congress. This you talk like a fanatic rather than someone logical. I hope you vote with more intelligence. But if represent the republican party I am not worried about Obama's job
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bettergranite
Diiid iiii Doooo Thaaaat?
07:13 PM on 10/07/2012
obama has shone a propensity to side step the constitution when it suits him. His ideology leans strongly towards socialism. These two things make him dangerous
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02:20 PM on 10/04/2012
Liked Obama on cutting Exxon Mobile 4 billion tax break. And corporate jets being a write off.
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02:26 PM on 10/04/2012
where is our first comment 10 minutes ago?
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02:18 PM on 10/04/2012
HUFF POST POST THE COMMENTS DON'T SIT ON AMERICANS SPEAKING OUT?
02:15 PM on 10/04/2012
President was thinking he was going to be more eye candy at the big Debate and found out he got his ass handed to him.
BE a president and not Mr HOLLYWOOD
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02:14 PM on 10/04/2012
Not even 15 minutes into the debate President Obama claims he is for the middle class and American Business? THIS IS SIMPLY NOT SO. Personal letters over two years outlining JOBS and Programs creating opportunities for Americans and Tax Payers sent over and over to the President and First Lady have gone without support and IGNORED when hundreds and in time thousands of JOBS from www.khwikball.com can be filled and Obama's turned away without interest at all? First Lady spent considerably (well over 200 million) on nutrition and her Let's Move" program to fight obesity (youths through seniors) and she totally refused to involve Khwikball and ignored the spill over from JOBS through purchase orders and getting our schools (youths-teens) involved across America. This just one program example (better than repairing good roads) Khwikball offers and was sent to both Obama's and NOTHING AT ALL and then our President funded 535 Million to Solyndra and in weeks filed bankruptcy??? Cut that amount in half and little over 2 million to each of 250 million American Small Businesses? The OBAMA'S have not supported American Small Business and Middle Class workers? This is merely TRUTH / FACT - CHECK IT OUT.
06:58 PM on 10/07/2012
thought that the republican way was to get out of the way of business. How does the government create jobs
02:07 PM on 10/04/2012
Hola Senor Romney.

Adios El Presindente Obama.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
expealioucious
02:02 PM on 10/04/2012
Voters should realize that until the candidates are required to put their hand on the book (in most cases the bible) and repeat the following
I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God.
There is little reason to even have a debate, and much less reason for voters to watch them.
This should also be part of the swearing in of the members of the US Congress.
The way things are today you can NOT get elected on facts you must lie.
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bettergranite
Diiid iiii Doooo Thaaaat?
02:02 PM on 10/04/2012
Romney took obama to task all nite long. On the feficit, On the economy, On taxes, On creating jobs. obama doesn't seem to understand economics 101, He is more interested in his Ideology than growth.
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CHARLIE X
Yield to the logic of the situation.
02:04 PM on 10/04/2012
it seems he is more interested in "the view" than these debates.
07:02 PM on 10/07/2012
the President has not changed his message. We know what has to say. Can Romney keep his promise HISTORY SAYS NO.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sfcretdennis
02:15 PM on 10/04/2012
Lets not for get the Romney called Obama on the carpet over the military cuts Obama plans on making and Obama said nothing to counter Romney's clams. As a 21 Year Army Vet. I know first had of the cuts Obama is making and trying to make and the added health cost he is trying to make us pay.
07:11 PM on 10/07/2012
All the Wars we have fought since WW2 had nothing to do with this countries security. Dwight D. Eisenhower said beware of the growing industrial complex. Its ok to send Americans to die for no good reason than it is to try and heal them. Very christian of us
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bettergranite
Diiid iiii Doooo Thaaaat?
01:46 PM on 10/04/2012
Twice, obama resorted to fear mongering, By saying Romneys tax position would take money out of education and hurt the poor children. Trying to pull at the heart strings of parents. Its an old strategy he has been using all along. NOT working, We know your games.
I'm a little supprised he didn't pull out the race card, Like him and Biden have been useing on the campaign trail.
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CHARLIE X
Yield to the logic of the situation.
02:06 PM on 10/04/2012
he will. don't think he simply forgot about it.
02:06 PM on 10/04/2012
just like Romney, only you are saying things like this. "Your overconfidence is your weakness"
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bettergranite
Diiid iiii Doooo Thaaaat?
06:01 PM on 10/04/2012
obama's arrogance is his weakness. He is not used to being confronted, The media has coddled him for 4 years.
01:45 PM on 10/04/2012
As far as I'm concerned the election is over. Obama already has more electoral votes to win handily. Unless the world changes on election day Mitt will go home with his etch a sketch.or to Switzerland, Bermuda or the Cayman Islands wherever he hides his money so as not to pay US taxes.
02:00 PM on 10/04/2012
Ed you need to be more honest with yourself. Its time for a cool change. I cant afford $4 gasoline and the price of all staples are out of control. I want energy independence and a President that uses the legislative process to produce change. He went around the Congress and shut down the coal mines through the EPA. It was wrong for out country not to mention the communities he destroyed and yet these things never come up in his attack ads he has flooded the airwaves with. What happened to transparency? If you want it you have to search it out and expose it. Is this really what you want? Romney is a A- proposal and Obama and 4 more years is a D at best.
02:03 PM on 10/04/2012
Honest Ed. You are in for a BIG surprise. Obama will go back to Indonesia where he belongs. Romney will be in the White House where he belongs. It's been a long 4 years for this country.