From WNYC in New York, this is On the Media. I'm Bob Garfield.

And I'm Brooke Gladstone. The anguished cries of MSNBC's Chris Matthews are still reverberating

after what most pundits and viewers deemed a lackluster performance by the president in his

first debate against Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

I don't know what he was doing out there. He had his head down. He was enduring the debate rather

than fighting it. Romney, on the other hand, came in with a campaign. He had a plan. He was going to

dominate the time. He was going to be aggressive. He's going to push the moderator around,

which he did effectively. He was going to relish the evening, enjoying it.

Nothing to do with the words he spoke. Here's my question for Obama. I know he likes to say he doesn't

watch cable television, but maybe he should start. Most notably, MSNBC, where they know how to debate

these issues. We got it on tape when you think of these people. Don't come out here and pretend you

care about old people because you met somebody at some campaign event. You've written off 47% of the country

before you even started. Where was Obama tonight? He should watch, well, not just hardball,

Rachel, should watch you, and she watch the reprim now, he should watch Lawrence. He would

learn something about this debate. Meanwhile, pundits anxiously or eagerly, depending on the channel, assessed the impact of the debate on the election, because that's what pundits do.

They prognosticate, like Fox's Neil Cavuto.

This isn't a matter of Mitt Romney potentially winning over undecided voters, but possibly, possibly Barack Obama voters.

Well, to be honest, I doubt that that will happen, Neil. I don't think that's it at all.

Do you want me to have another ice cream bet with you, young man?

Yeah, well, you know, I'm just simply, I was trying to say in a nice way, Neil, you're completely well.

Okay, there we go.

Now you're pulling a Nick Romney on me.

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