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Democratic Insiders Say Obama Won Debate, GOP Responders Split

Patch surveyed influential California Republicans and Democrats for their opinion on the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

A Patch survey of influential California partisans showed Democrats uniformly awarding victory in Tuesday's debate to President Obama, while only 10 out of 18 Republicans surveyed said Mitt Romney was the clear winner.

On the Democratic side, 12 of 14 said Obama was the winner by a wide margin while two said he won by a slim margin.  Five out of 18 Republicans said Romney won by a wide margin, five said he won by a slim margin, five said it was a draw, and three said Obama won by a slim margin.

The Patch Red and Blue California surveys are not a scientific random sample of any larger population, but rather an effort to listen to a swath of influential local Republican and Democratic activists, party leaders and elected officials in California. 

Other points of interest from the survey:

  • While only three Republicans said Obama won the debate, 12 of the 18 surveyed said the media would declare Obama the winner.
  • By contrast, 13 out of 14 Democrats said the media would portray Obama as the winner, with one saying the media would suggest it was a draw.
  • In written statements, several Republicans said the key moment for conservatives would be the discussion of whether Obama portrayed the attacks on the U.S. Embassy as an act of terrorism the morning after they occurred.  Three respondents suggest Obama was lying in his claims that he did say the attacks were terrorism, two chided moderator Candy Crowley for backing up his claim.  Seven out of 18 GOP respondents mentioned the Libya exchange as a key moment in the debate for conservatives, though only one said it would be a key moment for swing voters.
  • Five out of 14 Democrats mentioned the Libya exchange as a key moment for swing voters and three out of 14.
  • One GOP respondent wrote: "you'd have to be brain dead or willfully stupid to think that reelecting [Obama] is a good thing, but California is full of both types, so the First Failure will carry the state and we will reelect Fineswine."
  • Nine out of 18 Republicans said they "strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" that Romney's performance would help him win votes in California, while six said they were "neutral" about the statement.  Three said they somewhat disagreed.
  • Thirteen out of 14 Democratic responders said they "strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" that Obama's performance would help him win votes in California, with one saying he was "neutral."

Obama and Romney next meet on Monday at Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL, at 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Stay tuned to Patch for continuing coverage of the presidential debates.

Patch will be conducting Red California and Blue California surveys throughout 2012 in hopes of determining the true sentiment of Republicans and Democrats on the ground in California. If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in a weekly surveys that lasts just a few minutes, please email Sandra Oshiro.

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Jay Bell October 17, 2012 at 06:20 pm
Partisanship probably prevents the GOP responses from leaning towards Obama. www.firebrandcentral.com
Brian Kniveton October 17, 2012 at 08:33 pm
Romney told 31 myths in 41 minutes ..... Good times.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/10/17/1030581/at-last-nights-debate-romney-told-31-myths-in-41-minutes/?mobile=nc
Beth Stein October 17, 2012 at 09:21 pm
Obama lied repeatedly. Obama said Libya was due to the film not terrorist attack and then ladeda he w t campaigning in Vegas. Why did he bother throwing Clinton under the bus?
He talked about planned parenthood more than anything else. He was trying to get women to come back to him. I'm a woman and he doesn't represent anything I care about! I will not vote for Obama!!
Beth Stein October 17, 2012 at 09:22 pm
He said "No act of terror" in the Rose Garden not this act of terror. It was 9/11 and his admin didn't realize that??
DavethePragmatist October 17, 2012 at 09:34 pm
How can you honorably be a woman? You wer thrown under the bus by the guy you support - he does not support equal pay, he does not support woman's right to her own health issues, and he would rather keep you in a binder except when it is time for dinner. Here is the problem. There is absolutely no way he can be empathetic to woeman's issues. He was not brought up that way, and his own household proves it. If you get rid of planned parenthood, you get rid of health care, including cancer screening, for millions of underserved women. Is THAT what you want Beth? Shame on that opinion.
drof2th October 17, 2012 at 09:53 pm
Obama lied. #1 He, Clinton and another said for nearly 2 weeks that the TERRORIST attack in Benghazi was caused by protesters reacting to a video! # 2 Oil production is up. Only on private land. Federal permits are down 50%. These are the most obvious lies. More will be fact checked in days to come, Wake up America or we will have 4 more years of the same! Also remember that gas, which affects EVERY walk of life, WAS $1.83 when he took office!
Google Gas Price, Dec 2008, Consumer Reports to see gas was $1.61 at year end. Remember Obama saying that under his plan, energy rates would necessarilly skyrocket and he would bankrupt the coal industry! Google this! We are NOT better off than 4 years ago and Obama MUST go!!!
Craig Belfor October 17, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Both of these guys are bozos.
Either one could have taken control of that debate, given the openings that were supplied by the opponent. I was thinking of retorts far superior to the ones that came at the end of a statement or question. The reality is that neither one of these guys will ever break the deadlock that prevails in Congress with the members more interested in sabotaging the other party's plans than helping the country. We need a leader who doesn't sink to the petty hissy fit that this debate was, but looks to a clear, concise plan that has actual details, not vague promises without substance. These guys looked like 2 idiots fighting over the next song to play on the Titanic.
Susan Clark October 17, 2012 at 11:05 pm
@ Dave the pragmatist...Shame on YOU for trying to make Beth feel she's not being empathetic to womens issues. I am voting for Romney. I don't agree with Obama's Bull about war on women. I can't believe all the large walking vagina's that have been protesting....I find this uterally stupid and offensive! You have been duped. Obama could care less about womens rights...He will say anything to get re-elected.
Steven Norwin October 17, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Obama is the only Bozo,, more like a big Opsy the clown. He has no experience. He says gas prices went up from $1.89 when he took office in 2008 to the nearly $5.00 it is now because the economy was so bad in 08 and now it's doing great, hence the high prices. He said this at yesterdays debates. He lied and denied that he said the attacks in Benghazi were caused by protesters reacting to a video. He lied when he said he is drilling for oil all over American soil.
America cannot take another four more years of his deceit. We need a true leader in the White House. Someone with experience...Someone who is succesful in running businesses...someone who will create jobs ...someone who really cares about America's future. Mitt Romney is that man.
Rex Henderson October 18, 2012 at 01:54 am
Reading all of these inane postings makes me once again say that we need to have a test for voters before they are allowed to vote. Hard for a man of my mind to believe that the writers of these Kooky Comments have the same right to vote that I have. (Unless they are convicts and have lost that right, which I suspect some of them may be...)
Beth Stein October 18, 2012 at 03:25 am
He needs to go back to Chicago and learn what life is like as a one term president. He's brought u to the brink of financial ruin and international disaster. Go home Obama and whine to others who don't have to pay for your costly errors for the rest Of our lives
Whodaman October 18, 2012 at 11:03 am
Ok so Romney told myths
How about the guy sitting in our white house He said he would cut the deflect in half , he's added 6 trillion to it He said I will get out od get mo, he started another war Gas prices have doubled Food has gone up by 30% The dollar has been de rated twice 23 million out of work Jobless rate is at 7.8 which is a lie, California was late getting in there report so they did not count one of the biggest states in the US he said it was a tape, and lied about that, on his watch 4 of our top people were killed This man was a community organizer 550 thousand women have lost there jobs, the black jobs rate is 14.8% He has spent 4% of his time at the white house, he's played more golf golfed off more than the last three POTUS It cost the tax payers 100 K just to walk his dog lasts year, every green company he's given 90 billion dollars to has failed,,,, gee I wonder how many fireman police and teachers could have kept there jobs He has not had a budget in 4 years, he just keeps printing out the cash, yet were did 6 tillion dollars go,,,anyone,,, anyone,,,,Hmmmm They have had the senate and the house sense 2006, polosi, reid, k now obama They have all become millionairs on our watch At least romney made his, they stole theres from all the inside trading and knowing what to invest in,,, Please,,,,, Romney told lies
Patricia DuMond October 18, 2012 at 04:17 pm
Oh boy, don't get me started! All I can say is Jesse Ventura for President. Just joking... but not far from not joking. I will vote for Obama, only because, in my opinion, he is less of a liar than Romney. I am a registered Democrat, but the way Congress is bickering and fighting I may just go Green or Independent. I stay a Democrat because at least I can vote against the Republican Party.
Belle (Orchid Lady) October 18, 2012 at 05:33 pm
Patricia- Remember that this election is more important to women's right, and civil rights for everyone in general because the winner will be appointing at least one new Supreme Court Justice next year, and it it thought that another will retire the year after that. Based on the ages of the Justices, no other retirements are expected for at least 10 years after that. Think of all of the issues that are heading to the SCOTUS? Marriage rights for the LGBT community, women's reproductive health issues, the racial profiling laws like Arizona's, all of the 'person-hood amendments in the 'south', etc. I don't think that Romney would appoint a Justice who is know for being 'fair', I think he will try to find another "Justice Scallia" or two, and load the court with conservatives who will rule with the GOP 99%.
I trust Obama would keep the SCOTUS balanced, understanding the impacts of NOT keeping the SCCOTUS balanced would be a disaster for our rights and legal system.
Belle (Orchid Lady) October 18, 2012 at 05:34 pm
I agree Rex.
Belle (Orchid Lady) October 18, 2012 at 05:45 pm
Susan- so you think that Romney, if elected will appoint a fair Justice to the Supreme court then? Are you willing to put your reproductive health choices in the hands of a majority Republican/Conservative SCOTUS? Do you think the LGBT community will get a fair shake at Civil Rights? Do you think that Racial Profiling Laws that are being challenged will be struck down by a Court like that?
If NOT, think about who you need to vote for (whether you like him or not) to ensure that our Civil Rights are not trounced by the GOP. and yes, while the term war on women is silly, all you need to do is Google how many anti-abortion/person-hood/anti-contraception laws were passed since 2010 by the GOP, to see what they would be up to with Romney as president, and a lopsided Supreme Court. I don't trust Romney to understand that packing the Court with conservatives is a bad idea, and leaves the court and our laws corruptible.
Belle (Orchid Lady) October 18, 2012 at 07:07 pm
I have an off topic question that to my surprise the elections office couldn't answer either. Are there one or two Napa City Council seats up for grabs?
Shirley Harned October 18, 2012 at 08:53 pm
http://www.chicagobooth.edu/magazine/34/3/facultydigest/zingales.aspx
The above site is a review of a book by an Italian who is a professor at the University of Chicago. He has written a book that appears to be, from the review, exactly what is wrong with our present economic model (thanks mainly to corporate backing of candidates!) and how it might be fixed. The review itself is eye-opening and if read with an open mind by the responders on this blog, especially the Republicans, might actually inform the readers about where our trouble lies and how it might be fixed.
Roberto Angel October 19, 2012 at 01:12 pm
I'll keep this simple. 'The United States of America cannot survive four more
years of Obama. He's swiftly bringing America to her knees. Like the bumper sticker says - "OBAMA - Why Stupid People Shouldn't Vote.'
Cate K. October 19, 2012 at 01:21 pm
Have to add to Belle's comment (and I know I keep repeating myself here) but we have to consider how the Republicans have handled the Violence Against Women Act. The Senate approved it with additional provisions to allow for services to be provided to the LGBT community, Native Americans, and illegals. The House Republicans (including our Paul Ryan) removed all three additional provisions and then approved it. So, where does the bill sit now? NO WHERE! Meanwhile, needed funding for services to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are paying the price -- women are becoming collateral damage of conservative ideology that the LGBT community, illegals, and Native Americans do not count (or, perhaps they believe they do not bleed like everyone else).
This election is more to me about civil rights. I do not believe there is a war on women, however, I do believe that white men are trying to reclaim their former hold on this country starting with getting an African American out of the White House.
Cate K. October 19, 2012 at 01:23 pm
I don't think you can say 'OBAMA - Why Stupid People Shouldn't Vote' because I believe that is a George W. Bush trademark. You could be infringing on a copyright. :-)
Tom October 19, 2012 at 08:59 pm
I will, "Vote for the Right to keep what's Left"
I find it hard to believe that so many people are happy with the way the last 4 years have gone and are willing to vote for another 4 years of the same. But, that's what makes America what it is. I'm an American, nothing more and nothing less. I also believe that our Government gets enough of our money and should stop spending more than it takes in. YES! STOP OVER SPENDING! I'm not a class of people nor am I a gender or a color, I'm just an American! Besides that, There is no such thing as a fair share, those that pay the most get the least. How is that fair? Yet, people think they should give more....my question would be Why should they? And, What will happen when they have no more to give? No people, we have bigger issues than same sex marriage, contraception and taxing the rich. It's called Freedom and Liberty. Just my thoughts
Patricia DuMond October 20, 2012 at 12:27 am
Belle & Catherine.. you are both right. I don't make light of women's & civil rights and there is no doubt in my mind that voting as a Democrat is the better way to go. When Romney mentioned his "binder of women" I couldn't help but cringe.
Alex Shantz October 20, 2012 at 03:52 am
Patrica,
We live in California. California is a blue state through and through. Romney will NOT win California. Therefore, a vote for Obama is really a wasted vote. A vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein helps to create a concrete political alternative. If Jill Stein receives just 5% of the vote the Green Party qualifies for federal matching funds. That would be a game changer. I will be vote for Jill Stein! http://www.jillstein.org/
Alex Shantz October 20, 2012 at 03:53 am
There are two seats up for grabs.
However, if Pete Mott wins the mayoral race, his seat will be up as well. At that point, the city council would appoint someone to fill the seat.
Belle (Orchid Lady) October 20, 2012 at 05:28 pm
Thank you Alex! I knew there was something about a current Council member possibly leaving, but I couldn't remember who it was, and if that had already been decided. Local politics confuse me the most, because I get people confused, and can't remember who does what sometimes. LOL
Patricia DuMond October 20, 2012 at 07:38 pm
Thanks Alex. You make a very good point.
Jarvis William Peay October 20, 2012 at 10:26 pm
Unfortunately Jill Stein was recruited by David Cobb and her campaign manager is Ben Manski. David Cobb and Ben Manski were Democratic Party Trojan Horses who manipulated the arcane rules of the Green Party to stage a coup and have Cobb named as the Green candidate in 2004(with only 12% of the votes), and effectively dismantled the Green Party and the gains they made in 2000 and threw their support to the Democrats.
Cobb and Manski are trying to keep the Green Party as part of Obama’s veal pen. Now Jill Stein may be what soviets used to call a useful_idiot or she may be in on the plan to make the Green Party a tool to corral progressives into supporting Greens in “safe” states and supporting Democrats/Obama in competitive states, but either way, Ms. Stein, her political mentor Cobb and her campaign manager Manski cannot be trusted.
Carolo October 22, 2012 at 07:05 am
A little about Benghazi that Darrell Issa probably won't like.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/us/politics/questions-and-answers-on-the-benghazi-attack.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/benghazi-attack-becomes-political-ammunition/2012/10/19/e1ad82ae-1a2d-11e2-bd10-5ff056538b7c_story.html
Michael October 22, 2012 at 01:51 pm
what seems really sad is that I heard that they are trying to get children interested in the election process so they are asking them who they think will be elected president. Problem is the children are only provided with democrat and a republican candidate choices? Why is that? There are other political parties in this country. To brainwash children into believing there are only 2 parties and 2 candidates is at a minimum dishonest and deceitful. Why would we allow this to be done to our children? Why are only 2 candidates involved in the presidential debates? Why do we continue to allow this deception and dishonesty? And worse yet civics is not even taught in our schools anymore. We are not even teaching our children the proper basics about how our democratic process works.
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Guido Bisogno May 26, 2013 at 08:35 pm
The Marks of this world are too blind to facts to bother arguing with. He thinks 4 generation ofRead More welfare and more people on food stamps then ever before in history is progress! What's the point acknowledging such absurd nonsense? Don't bother Roberto, complete waste of effort.
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Nobody likes debt or an economy that is limping along. Obama has done an admirable job consideringRead More what he's had to put up with. The deficit has been reduced considerably. Stock market is as high as ever. Unemployment is still a big problem. Thank God we still have food stamps to help those people who have lost their jobs. Our bridges are falling apart. How about we invest in fixing our crumbling infrastructure, get those people back to work, get them spending, stimulate this economy. Oh, that's right, if Obama is for it, the opposition will automatically be against it (even if it's their idea!) .
Guido Bisogno May 27, 2013 at 07:03 pm
Here we go - perfect example of a blind koolaid drinker. Listen to this: "The deficit has beenRead More reduced considerably" REALLY, then why has it doubled in the last few years? What planet are you from? "Thank God we still have food stamps to help those people who have lost their jobs." then "Obama has done an admirable job"....HELLOOOOOO! You can't have it both ways. My god we are lost if this is the mentality that is voting now - totally lost. I wish these types were routed out of the gene pool when things were tough and they would simply perish from stupidity. Now days thing are so easy they thrive and reproduce. Watch in 10 years how GREAT things are, just watch.
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Thanks for a wonderful article Chris! Truly, Cyprus is one of the most magical and beautiful placesRead More on this earth and I hope the current financial challenges are short lived! Again, thanks for a very well written article!
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