Romney Makes Case at First Debate

Local Democrats and Republicans agree, Mitt Romney did what was necessary Wednesday to stay in the race for the White House.

Republicans say the GOP nominee has turned the direction of the race with a strong rebuke of President Barack Obama's first four years in office. Local Democrats agree — less enthusiastically — that Wednesday's performance wasn't Obama's best showing.

"I think it's clear here tonight, even with the response from this crowd, that Romney has won this debate," said Mark Smith, chairman of the East Cooper Republicans. "I just hope that the estimates of the numbers of people watching are accurate."

Obama faced a challenge, Democrats say. He had to come across as "presidential" while defending his record and shutting down his opponent. That's a difficult task for any sitting President, and Obama may take a hit in the polls for not being effective.

"I don't think it drastically moves the needle for either one of them," said Charleston Democratic Party Chairman Richard Hricik. "If anything, just by being on the same stage with the President, (the polls) might tick up for Romney."

Romney needed to pull off a performance similar to that of Ronald Reagan in 1980 when that challenger dealt a decisive debate loss to President Jimmy Carter, said one local Democrat, speaking before Wednesday's debate.

"If he can come up and do what Reagan did in 1980, he'll win it," said Philip Edles, who hosted about 20 Democrats at his home for a debate party in Mount Pleasant.

Speaking afterward, Edles said he was mostly unimpressed with the President's performance, and that Romney may benefit from a boost in credibility.

"I will say that (President Obama) lacked the fire we have seen before," Edles said. "He came across a little passive-agressive, and that's not really a good thing."

Republicans left a big-screen broadcast of the debate at Cinnebare in Mount Pleasant feeling uplifted about their candidate's chances.

"When it matters, Mitt Romney really delivers," said Mary Ellen Dowdy of Isle of Palms. "He's shown us that over and over. Tonight, he got in one point after another ... and the President didn't know what to say."

But Democrats say it's not over, and there are yet more chances to derail the Republicans' chances at the White House.

"There are still two more debates," Hricik said. "I think it's part of the President's strategy to just let Romney say what he wanted to this first time and to then come back with a counter punch later."