Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Advisors: Obama Will Be "Passionate" During Debate, Doesn't Have Mono
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 15, 2012
Modified Oct 15, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 15, 2012
Modified Oct 15, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Expectations are high for President Obama to not act like a sloth on Quaaludes working as a key grip on a Ken Burns documentary during tomorrow night's debate. Robert Gibbs, the former White House Press Secretary and current Obama campaign advisor assured TV viewers yesterday that the president was well aware of how much he sucked during the first debate, and that he has to be more "passionate." "He knew when he walked off that stage and he also knew as he's watched the tape of that debate that he's got to be more energetic," Gibbs said, declining to address the rumors that the president refused to go to bed at a decent hour the night before because Legends of the Fall was on Cinemax.
The president's lead in national polling has largely been erased since the debate (though he remains ahead in several swing states), mainly because every voter who previously ignored State of the Union addresses, major foreign policy speeches, appearances on late night variety shows, and any sort of public policy initiative or anything that isn't How I Met Your Mother or saving up for one of those big, shiny watches with the giant faces, tuned into the first debate. 67.2 million people watched it, beating out every other TV program this year except the Super Bowl.
If there's one thing that favors the president tomorrow at Hofstra University, it's the town hall format. "He’s done his share of town halls, but a town hall when you’re debating is different than a town hall that’s yours,” a Romney advisor told Real Clear Politics. Indeed, with 70 million viewers, it makes little sense to guess the questioner's ethnicity or make awkward comments about how young someone's daughter—wait, sorry, wife—looks.
Tagged
2012 election
debates
obama
Politics
presidential debates
republicans
romney
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .