FOXNews.com: Romney and Obama duke it out at debate but both manage to stay in ring

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Romney and Obama duke it out at debate but both manage to stay in ring Oct 17th 2012, 02:46 Editor's note: Fox News contributors and others from both sides of the political spectrum offer their reviews of the second presidential debate between President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney.  President Obama had nowhere to go but up; his bar couldn't have been any lower after his last disastrous performance. However, Tuesday night he was hammered by Romney on his abysmal record on the economy and had a tough time coming back as an incumbent on the ropes. Romney missed an opportunity to get a clean hit on Libya but the back and forth on phrasing is bad news for the president because it shifts the subject of Libya to the front burner -- the last place he wants it three weeks before Election Day. Romney performed as well as he did last time, and wounded Obama on his failed policies. He did what he needed to do: show he can be president. Obama needed a decisive win and he didn't get one. -- Andrea Tantaros, co-host, "The Five" and columnist, New York Daily News, conservative commentator If Mitt Romney hopes to stay viable in this election, he better do more explaining and less interrupting.  And telling the truth would help, too! -- Sally Kohn, writer and Fox News contributor It was an entertaining, but not particularly edifying debate. At one point early on, it looked like the two of them might start grappling like they were in a MMA ring.  President Obama couldn't have been worse than two weeks ago, and he wasn't. Mitt Romney was both on the defensive more and also occasionally too aggressive for his own good, but got his points across and had a particularly good answer that encapsulated in two-minutes the disappointments of the Obama presidency.  This debate probably won't move the needle. We're still where we are after the last one, a tight race with Romney in a much stronger position than most people would have imagined a month ago. -- Rich Lowry, editor in chief, National Review, author and columnist, Fox News contributor Gov. Mitt Romney did well at the second presidential debate. But he does better against a guy who doesn't show up. And tonight Obama showed up. Don't expect this to change the dynamics of the race other than that Democrats will feel much more energized tonight than after the first debate. And enthusiasm could be the difference maker on November 6. -- Joe Trippi, former Howard Dean campaign manager, Fox News contributor President Obama delivered what he had to tonight, but was met by an equally strong Governor Romney who was comfortable and engaged in a format that was not assumed to play to his strength.   Both men scored points on style and substance, with Romney emerging stronger on jobs, the economy, energy and Libya.  President Obama delivered a more robust defense of his record, which will satisfy the base, but did little in offering a credible case for four more years to persuadable voters.  I forecast a minimal impact on polls as a result.  Nonetheless, he avoids a Romney romp and lives to fight another day.   -- Tony Sayegh, Republican political consultant If this debate and election depends on women's votes then President Obama's debate performance will get those votes. The president came out strongly on the issue of women especially on the Lilly Ledbetter Act and how Gov. Romney's campaign did not respond to a question about that bill.  The larger problem that women will have noticed, either consciously or unconsciously, is that Gov. Romney over talked moderator Candy Crowley, a woman. He was challenging to her and many women will be turned off by his behavior. -- Ellen Ratner, Fox News contributor and Washington Bureau Chief, Talk Radio News Service Leftists are rejoicing because President Obama showed up with a pulse this time. But Mitt Romney showed up with one too, and both men engaged in a spirited thrust-and-parry that was both enlightening and entertaining.  Obama ran away as fast as he could from the most disastrous aspects of his record: high unemployment, Libya, "Fast and Furious." But Romney missed some real opportunities to deliver a TKO of Obama, especially on the administration's Libyan cover-up lies and Obama's failure to address the issue of Fast and Furious at all.  That said, I think Romney won the night because of his one simple message, stated with Reaganesque clarity: "We don't have to settle for this. We don't have to live like this." Indeed, we don't. The power to change it rests with us. And Romney made that abundantly clear. -- Monica Crowley, Fox News contributor, author, "What the (Bleep) Just Happened" and nationally syndicated radio host   President Obama was much better this time around. Confident and aggressive but not Biden-like-too-aggressive. Gov. Romney was steady but his face often looked strained.  Romney blew it on the Rose Garden/Libya misstatement and Obama used the 47% very well at the end.  Overall, Romney did well. But the president will be proclaimed the winner and "the Comeback Kid" by the media. --John LeBoutillier, former New York Republican congressman and co-host, "Campaign Insiders" Sunday on Fox News Channel and Mondays at 10:30 am ET on FoxNews.com Live.

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