Obama finally gets in his witty replies to Romney - 48 hours late

The Denver debate, however, showed that Obama, constantly reinforced by people agreeing with him and seldom engaging in the cut and thrust of political discussion with opponents or even allies in Washington, does not take kindly to being challenged.

Having rarely exposed himself to tough questioning from interviewers because the White House prefers to arrange chats on entertainment shows, Obama was blindsided by an energised, well-prepared Romney hitting with with a barrage of facts and forensic argument.