Romney did well, held his own; Obama seemed irritated, awkward, and bored. Even strong liberal media and Obama-supporting pundits feel Romney won. I think the debate was fairly even but Romney was more personable and prepared.
Romney was very articulate and did more than hold his own. He clearly expressed his positions/platform, had his facts/data instantly accessible, and at no point I saw appeared to be caught off guard.
I was disappointed in the debate. Both candidates just appeared to be slinging campaign talking points at each other. As a TV commercial used to say "where's the beef." The moderator was the big loser.
I only watched the first 50 minutes so I did not watch it all. Here's my opinion on the first 50 minutes: The moderator, Jim Lehrer, got walked all over. He had little control. I think Romney did most of the walking all over Jim Lehrer It seemed that President Obama was following the debate "rules" but Romney wasn't Romney clearly won the debate (without a doubt) President Obama looked very irritated throughout the debate Romney looked President Obama in the eyes while the President was talking President Obama never made eye contact at all with Romney Romney put forth several ideas and plans for the next four years President Obama didn't say much about his plans or ideas for the next four years Romney caught President Obama in several lies which hurt the President Romney corrected those lies and President Obama couldn't defend his lies President Obama should have taken some ownership of the last 3.5 years
I'm surprised by his answer that he did not know there is a tax advantage (incentive) for shipping production offshore since is is a feature of some TV ads. However this advantage most likely would not result in jobs staying home because of the low offshore labor costs.
Maniac Democrat: Harrr! Obama winz! Romney stoopid! Maniac Republican: Yee Haw!!! Romney winz! Obama stoopid! Maniac Libertarian: They both suck. Maniac Insomniac: What?! I hit the "jump" button and he didn't jump!! Aaaarrgghh!!!!
Indeed, and the Commission to Preserve the Duopoly did its usual airtight job keeping anyone actually interesting from being on that stage.
For anyone inteested in how China (or Taiwan, if you're into the distinction) viewed the debate, watch this semi-funny animated film. FARK.com: Fark Video Player (7365788) FARK's favorite Taiwanese animators give their interpretation of the first Presidential debate
I've been trying to find the tax deduction President Obama said that companies get when they move jobs overseas. Apparently it's simply a moving expense deduction any company gets whether relocating to a new building, city, state or country. It's a deduction for moving anywhere. So it's not a deduction specifically for outsourcing jobs overseas, but there are relocation expenses involved when outsourcing jobs and companies do take the deduction. This is a clever play on words but not exactly an honest one. More info: The Joint Committee on Taxation noted: "deductions are generally allowed for all ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer ... in carrying on any trade or business, which includes the relocation of business units." "Under present law, there are no specific tax credits or disallowances of deductions solely for locating jobs in the United States or overseas," The deduction applies whether the company is "moving down the street or moving to Asia," said Steve Semerdjian, a partner at the Loeb & Loeb law firm who specializes in outsourcing. Sources: Obama, Romney both right (sort of) in debate clash on outsourcing - latimes.com Tax Break for ‘Shipping Jobs Overseas’ — Explained - Washington Wire - WSJ
A company I worked for several years ago considered moving production to Greece to lower production costs. Per our accountant one big advantage was we did not have to pay US taxes on profits until that money was returned to the USA. I'm sure accountants contributing to degreeinfo can verify this perquisite still exists and has done for decades.
The U.S. has just about the least competitive corporate tax rate in the developed world. When people want to go to Greece of all places in search of a friendlier regime for capital, you know you have a serious policy problem.
They actually don't need to do that. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/business/economy/02leonhardt.html http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/magazine/whats-the-easiest-way-to-cheat-on-your-taxes.html?pagewanted=all There are so many more loopholes for business expenses that they can with some effort not pay that much in taxes.
Deductions help, but not to the point of "not paying that much in taxes", and at the cost of complex tax preparation. It would be a more competitive policy to kill the corporate tax altogether.