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Who Really Won the First Presidential Debate

Can you truly "win" a debate by having to lie repeatedly? I don't want a leader who lacks integrity, no matter how forceful and animated he appears on television.
William Astore
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Writer, History Professor, Retired Lieutenant Colonel (USAF)

Writer, History Professor, Retired Lieutenant Colonel (USAF)
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FILE - In this Oct. 3, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama shake hands after the first presidential debate at the University of Denver, in Denver. Both men relished the wonky talk, but Mitt Romney also showed the easy confidence a presidential contender needs _ and a bit of the salesman's dynamic presentation. Barack Obama sounded more like a long-winded professor a little annoyed he has to go over this stuff one more time for the slow students in the back. For viewers the lesson from both was clear: If they crave a real discussion of complicated issues _ not just zingers _ it means some tough going. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 3, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama shake hands after the first presidential debate at the University of Denver, in Denver. Both men relished the wonky talk, but Mitt Romney also showed the easy confidence a presidential contender needs _ and a bit of the salesman's dynamic presentation. Barack Obama sounded more like a long-winded professor a little annoyed he has to go over this stuff one more time for the slow students in the back. For viewers the lesson from both was clear: If they crave a real discussion of complicated issues _ not just zingers _ it means some tough going. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Let's cut to the chase: President Obama won the first presidential debate. Why? Because he maintained his integrity. In the Air Force, our primary core value is "Integrity first." Just as integrity is "first" for the Air Force, so too must it be for the civilian commander-in-chief of our military.

By sacrificing his integrity, by misrepresenting his positions repeatedly to the American people, Governor Romney disqualified himself from America's highest office.

Claiming that Obama won the debate is contrary to what the pundits are saying. They're saying this because Romney exceeded their low expectations. He took the fight to the president, thereby reviving his moribund campaign.

But can you truly "win" a debate by having to lie repeatedly? What kind of a leader sacrifices integrity for the sake of expediency? Is that the kind of person we want as commander-in-chief?

I don't want a president who runs against himself and his own record. I don't want a leader who lacks integrity, no matter how forceful and animated he appears on television.

Give me Joe Friday and "Just the facts, ma'am" (no lies, please). Give me Harry Truman and "The buck stops here" (no ducking your own record, please). Give me a leader who tells the truth and who willingly takes responsibility for his or her positions and actions.

And by those measures, Romney lost and Obama won.

Astore writes regularly for TomDispatch.com and can be reached at wjastore@gmail.com.

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