This isn't even a close comparison. The first lady Michelle Obama's speech was much more passionate, effective and articulate.

Is this a serious question? Regardless of your political stance, you would have to admit that as a public speaker, Ann Romney is no comparison to Michelle Obama. While both championed their husbands, Ann came across as scripted, at some points appearing to do just what she was actually doing...reading her story. Michelle on the other hand spoke from the heart, at times being so moved by she and the President's story and her admiration for him she was on the brink of tears.

Michelle, hands down!!! Amazing woman and speaker. Agree, she spoke from the heart!!!!

The problem is, Michelle's speech is hypocritical. She and her husband want Americans to be dependent on our government.

K Kane, I agree. Ann's speech was more relevant. i am getting sick and tired of the poverty stories as if they can be worn as badges of honor and implying that it's a better upbringing than being raised in a stable family without economic hardships. Enough class warfare!!
Poverty doesn't make you a better president. He wasn't even poor by many standards, best private schools in Hawaii...PHd Mother. Ok, I'm sorry but her Dad had a stable permanent job and was a councilman in the 2nd largest city in the country. It's going to take more than a speech to convince me they struggled anymore than the average Joe. And frankly, who cares. Everybody's got their cross to bear, even rich people. O would be up by 10 pts right now. He let Congress run the show for the last 4 years. Even the NYT is saying he blew it. Nice guy maybe, but not a leader, he blew it. To get us out of the mess we are in we need a turn around expert. We are BLESSED to have Mitt be the candidate, he is uniquely qualified to turn the US around and make us a PROSPEROUS country again, where people are employed, make money that they mostly get to keep, and happy consumers!

George, you are completely deluded. Giving the country to a spoiled rich guy who doesn't care a hoot about you or anyone else, is the wrong thing to do. He will outsource and hide taxes and continue to build up his own wealth. Don't think for one moment that the rich guys who donated to his campaign won't want a piece of the action. Romney and Ryan are bad for the everyone.

Kate, agreed. People cannot grasp that the total national debt for the US from George Washington through G. W. Bush was about $5.6 trillion... and debt to GDP was reasonable, below 100%. It is now in 3 years of O at $16 Trillion and Debt/GDP is 102%. For the first time in US history we lost our triple A rating. We need to change leadership, and put a man with experience turning around financial disasters. "Spoiled rich guy" and class warfare talk, or calling me names like "delusional" show that the focus of the liberals is where the pro-O team wants it at... not the real issues, and the terrible performance of the President, but on "class warfare" "gender and race warfare" "George Zimmerman" anything but the big national and international crises we are in.

I think the most important distinction between our two candidates was made last night by Michelle Obama when she pointed out her husband wants to see ALL Americans have the opportunity succeed, not just a select and elite few. Also, the difference in our president is now that he has succeeded he has remained humble and true to his values, willing to lend a helping hand to others and not "slam the door" on others behind him. I want a president that is interested in all of us, not just their elite friends and family. Remember, it was the REP. party that got us in this terrible mess that REQUIRED government intervention...even Bush knew that and started in that direction! The only "stimulous" check I have received came under Bush's administration! Vicki K. Atlanta, GA

Who cares? Personally, I couldn't care less if my president was married to an inarticulate high-school drop out. We wish the best for the first family, but in terms who we vote for, the first lady or first man (we'll get there) should be irrelevant.

Are you pro-choice or anti-choice? Should in-vitro fertilization for women be legal or not? If you're pro-life, do you support exceptions for rape/incest/life of mother or not (Romney takes different positions on these exceptions, depending on his audience)? Do you support equal rights for the LGBT community or not? Do you want Medicare or vouchers for seniors? Do you want to allow insurers to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions or not? Do you want to allow insurers to rescind our policies during a claim because we forgot to specify our teenage acne on the application or not? Do you want to risk going bankrupt because of annual/lifetime insurance caps or not? Do you want to close the prescription drug doughnut hole or not? Should we have more preventive care by eliminating co-pays for such care or not? Do you want to close the gun show loophole to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people or not? Do you want austerity or an economy that is growing and adding jobs (you can't have both) or not? Do you want to maintain and repair our infrastructure or not? Do you want to pay higher tax rates on your income from work so that others can pay lower tax rates on their incomes from inheritances and investments or not?

where do you think the $6 trillion in additional debt has gone?? Wall Street, not Main Street! Who has he met repeatedly in the past 3 years and wiped out the visitor logs ? Lobbyists!! wake up! The words don't match the actions! Quantitative easing is very dangerous, hasn't helped consumers, seniors/retirees, nor stimulated the economy. continuing to buy 2/3 of all 10 yr treasuries... with the DNC they need to worry about independents, because these policies are not helping the seniors or mainstreet, the small businesses... they are only helping the banks and the speculators. the independent voters have had it, they make up about 40% of the votes cast, and O really needs them.

His new strategy this time is "class warfare" -- you lost your job, you are not getting any interest rates on your savings, it's all the fault of the rich... i will tax the bad rich people and that will fix everything. This doesn't make any sense!! But independents like myself are independent thinkers, and we don't put the party before common sense. we don't see ourselves as victims of the rich. All independents are looking for is how the economy will turn around and move forward again... don't tell me it's everyone else's fault. After almost four years independents who hold the balance of power in American politics are turning on Obama... the first campaign was a campaign of deception and dishonesty. The independents were duped in 2008. That's why he is losing the independents... that is going to be a huge car wreck for O. In May he was pulling 64% of independents. Now it is 49%.

The independents are turning on him because of his lack of honesty. He has broken most of his promises. How about enacting the comprehensive immigration reform act he promised? He wanted to enact it, but he did not have the skill or experience to legislate and get it done. He did not even introduce a plan! How about eliminating the income taxation on seniors earning less than $50k a year he promised... 7 millions seniors would not pay income tax and they would not have to file an income tax return. He killed that in the first 16 days in office... instead he signed into law an increase in excise tax on tobacco ... this also broke his promise to Americans earning less than $250k would not see a tax increase. He also raised taxes on pharmaceuticals which raised prices on the 150 top meds seniors rely on, by between 150% to 200%. THis is killing seniors faster than the disease that the meds are being used to keep the disease in check. How about the more transparency he promised. This is one of the most secretive administrations, with all the logs to the WH missing names of visitors. Remember how he promised to get rid of all the lobbyists? Not true... he has blacked out the names on the logs. He promised that he would beef up NASA and land again on the moon and maybe even Mars. After getting into the WH he killed that promise too. The independents hate the deficit, the debt and the broken promises and they are looking for solutions, not blame.

Michelle Obama shares backgrounds with Obama: disconnected from the real world where folks must work and be accountable for their shortcomings. The Obamas know only what they read for tonights script.
The real deal is Ann Romney with her true life story of family, heartbreaks and happiness, the real deal.
No question; Ann is the real one and stands alone.

Voting for Obama or Romney is choice between the evil of 2 lessers. As Gary Johnson says, be Libertarian for 1 election...if after 4 years you prefer the democrats & republicans that caused all this mess to begin with, then you can always vote them back into power. That said, it's funny (sad, but funny) listening to a bunch of people say that Romney is out of touch b/c he's an elitist millionaire when Obama is an elitist millionaire. That's good comedy.

George: I really don't like your inaccurate, illogical, and slanderous attack on President Obama, or your mindless ranting - unaccompanied by any fact. You are not one of the "priviledged ones" - I can tell that from your comments - and its clear that you don't do much reading either. You spend too much of your time on FAUX NEWS and listening to the likes of Druggie Rush Limbaugh and a little Glenn "conspiracy theory" Beck. That is clearly where your adult world view comes from, and I am sure your rearing had something to do with it as well. Bottom line - President Obama could shit gold bricks at the rate of 100 per hour, and you would complain about the smell. Try reviewing the 'facts', then get back to us all, since you got a lot of time on your hands - time that could be better spent gathering real news!

Louis, you represent the worse of the unthinking, kook-aid drinking, pseudo-intellectuals out there... I point facts and all you do is throw insults. Oh well, hopefully your kind will not be organized enough to vote in November...

Michelle, no elaboration needed.

I think both ladies did a good job, but quite frankly it's hard to side with rich people. Now, if I win the lottery I may feel different. I have been unemployed for 2-1/2 years and I don't really blame the President. I honestly think he's done the best job he could, given the circumstances, and I think that Michelle has been a great First Lady. It's just hard to warm up to Mitt and his crowd.

Our phenomenal First Lady Michelle without a doubt gave the best speech, as it was full of passion and meaning complete with a call to action!!! Essentially, the American people want inclusion not exclusion. Dr. A.

That was an awesome speech by our First Lady ! It was refreshing to hear her very clearly speak to the issues of the majority of Americans.

Why vote republican? Anytime they are in office the economy deminishes. And where is the stimulus money that was given to the big coporations? Are most of them now using the money to support Romney? I think the corporations that received stimulus money are holding onto it instead of helping the middle class by hiring...don't see anything they have done with it. Certainly have not hired as many as they could have. I would like a list of all the companies that have given millions to the Romney campaign...wouldn't spend my money in their establishments!

Mrs. Obama.. no wuestion about it

Its very sad to see that we have not evolved in our way of thinking. Is it an American curse to be narrow minded? All we can see is black and white, rich and poor, gay and staight, Democrat and Republican, and the sad list goes on. We would benefit a great deal to consider ALL things between these rigid polarities and know that HUMANKIND is at stake, not just one class or race. If we embraced compassion and tolerance and know that we are all connected and all in this together, we would have a greater chance at a brighter future. Oh well, guess I just revealed who I am supporting!

Michelle Obama delivered a more compelling msg with a great deal of passion. Anne's speech was scripted and less engaging in comparison.

George: You reveal your racist nature. Its okay, just breath, and try to stay out of the Sun. Maybe you'll save a few moments of your sad existence.

It's appalling that people are wetting themselves over the convention speeches of wives. Drama, rhetoric and complete nonsense. Both these women were rehearsed - and unlikely that either wrote the speech herself. BOTH over-exaggerate their "struggles" for soap-opera effect. Seriously, I'm sure it was just DREADFUL for Pooooor little Mitt and Anne having to eat pasta and tuna fish - and pathetic little Barack and Michelle having to pay off student loans to HARVARD. I'm sure there was NEVER a time when either of them went to the grocery store with 17 bucks to feed two people for a week. It's disgusting to see both sides pretend to know what the majority of Americans go through. And more disgusting to see the "fan club" mentality of comments about the slobbery speeches. After all these years, people - is it really such a shock that wives support their husbands' campaigns? What did you THINK these women would say?

obama spoke with the same mumbo-jumbo that her husband did . didn`t make sense at all.
Mrs. Romney spoke with elegance,poise and intelligence as her husband did.Made a lot more sense.
after all the facts that have been presented against obama, i don`t see how any one could vote for him. they had better jerk him and put Bill back up.

No one needs to hear candidates' spouses speak. Conventions are a pointless placeholder and an outrageous waste of taxpayers' money. They USED to be the place where nominations were made and officially announced. No nomination is necessary in the case of an incumbent - instead people had to be bused in from surrounding states just to fill the seats. The nomination was pre-arranged in the case of the Republicans - who bullied out the delegates of their only competition. There really is no end to the wastefulness of either of these parties. You couldn't pay me to vote for either of them.

You assume, Roger - like so many underinformed people in this election - that there are only two candidates. I will be voting, make no mistake - not for Romney or Obama or their wives. You also, like both the candidates aforementioned, seem rather smitten with the notion of banning freedom of expression. I'll reserve the right to complain. It's the only way American voices are heard.

Relax...the "ban" was purely tongue in cheek. I actually wish there was a viable third party to choose from at the polls...but until then I can't bring myself to just p*ss away my vote on a candidate with absolutely no chance of winning just to make a point. That's just me.

And I can't p*ss away my vote on the "lesser of two evils". Too many people will. Any way I slice it, I'm voting for a loser. Have to live with my conscience.

This one isn't even close. Most critiques are saying that Michelle Obama's speech could very well be the best speech ever given by a First Lady. Ann Romney was stiff and she only had one goal, which was to personalize her otherwise stiff of a husband. Michelle Obama also trounced Ann Romney in the ratings, which also shows that there was a lot more inherent interest in hearing Michelle over Ann.

Michelle Obama was engaging, well spoken, and in fact she spoke with such an ease, she rarely needed to look at her teleprompter.

Her presentation was far more "down to earth" and that made her far more "relatable" to the average person than Ann Romney will ever appear.

Both ladies did well but their names will not be on the ballot in November. My question is if you are a God fearing man or woman, how can you support a party that has abortion, leaving out God, and the capital of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on their own platform? Oh I realize that with alot of pressure they forced an amendment and say they received 2/3 majority verbal vote (yeah right). Anyway the party of Obama has swung far to the left and just wonder how any clear thinking american could vote for him. Sorry just thinking out loud and curious why this is. God bless everyone here.

people say god was left out well mitt believe's that god is a 6ft man who live's on another planet and he dos'nt blieve in the trinity

The Republican party platform is just that, It isn't the Mitt Romney platform LOL. After reading some of the disgusting comments about Ann is too rich to understand the depths of poverty this or that. Mitt is spoon fed off his fathers wealth, etc etc..Folks this all uncivil dribble being pushed out there. If the debate is going to be on the issue of substance than that is fair play but to insult a persons character is another. I will not take part in this rubbish. God bless and have a safe weekend.

Let's be on the right side of history. Let's join the community that wants all people to vote. Let's join the community that what everyone to have equal opportunity. Let's join the community that wants edcucation to be effortable so that we can have a strong work force. Let's be a part of the community that wants to keep talented people in the country so that business have more people to sell to.

I don't know, since all I watched was Clinton. He was incredible.

Uh, why is this important?

Ann Romney spoke from the heart. Moochelle is an accomplished liar, a skill required to sell hubby's line of crap to the dumb masses.

I am an American conservative and since conservatives have abandoned the Democratic party and left it to the liberal extremists, I do vote Republican. However, I would vote for anyone over a mentally ill, community organizer that hates America and intends to oversee it's demise.

Your ignorant comments are HARD to believe. If you are an example of an "American conservative" deliver me to the Democratic party. Think you can do a better job? Run for office, put up or shut up!

Hi everyone,

I just deleted a comment that used profanity. Please refer to the Patch terms of use if you're unsure what is OK to post here. http://smyrna.patch.com/terms

Thanks,
Sydney Busby

You are all missing the point - Red, Blue, Rich, Obnoxiously Rich, the point is ALL POLITICIANS are the problem. They are the problem because both sides bow to the lobbyist and the special interest group and the rich campaign backers, who steer the laws/rules/benefits in their favor. It doesn't matter who you vote for a vote for one is a vote for the other - "the man in the house" means nothing - the problem is in the house and if you can't rid congress and the senate of the corruption, none of this really matters because it becomes a standoff. Notice both sides are deflecting, both sides have no real answer, and both sides will cut off their nose to spite their face..

Romney the answer? PA-LEASE... he is just as bad as the wall street special interests he protects - the old rich guys and the money they possess. He'll rob from the poor to keep them poor, while deregulating to make sure the robber barons continue to hold serve.

Obama? Hope and Change was a great message but reality is he is powerless without bipartisan support, and continues to miss the mark on what the real problems are - notice how big finance is back to posting record earnings, big oil is posting record earnings, big health is raising rates and making huge profits - yet the economy is still slugging along? NO POLITICIAN will touch the true problem! Money, Special interest groups and lobbyists run this country, not the man in the office... Give me a break...

The fix is simple, but the fix is painful - but you have to cut off the head. You need campaign reform - the money that flows through is scary - there is no such thing as a free lunch..

Then, regulate the lobbyist and the special interests - off course you'll add to the unemployment numbers, but the lobbyists are all leeches as it is, which includes all media, who push their agenda, and report their opinions, not the facts..

Without the distractions you elected officials then become the voice of the people, which is why we elected them in the first place.. They don't do on your behalf, you vote them out...

Lastly, eliminate the current tax code and replace with a fair tax system to capitalize on ALL workers, illegal or not - a flat tax without any loopholes to exploit, so EVERYONE pays their fair share - who cares if my 20% is less than yours, we are all paying what we need to.

And screw the aid to other countries - we are subsidizing entire nations, in addition to our own people - the flow out needs to match the flow in, I mean, feeding the needy is one thing, but the amount of aid we send to other countries is crazy... That to me is a far greater socialist crime than having healthcare and welfare programs in this country -

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