The 10 Best Punchlines from the First Presidential Debate

Issues, zingers, or disses? Here's what the candidates actually said.

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Complex Original

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On Wednesday night, President Barack Obama squared off with Mitt Romney in the first of their three presidential debates. The high-stakes 90-minute debate is expected to reach 60 million people around the world, and even more, offered Romney a chance to catch up to Obama in the polls after recently having fallen behind. And that he did: Romney came across as aggressive, and attacked the President on his record, as a surprisingly listless Obama failed to defend himself.

In the event that you totally forget, and went about your Wednesday night as usual (but are still mildly interested in the debates), Complex has got you covered. After watching the debates and keeping score at home, we bring you The 10 Best Punchlines From Tonight's Presidential Debate.

Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)

10. "I’ve got five boys. I’m used to people saying something that’s not always true, but just keep on repeating it and ultimately hoping I’ll believe it." - Mitt Romney

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9. "Congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your anniversary. I’m sure this was the most romantic place you could imagine here with me." - Mitt Romney

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8. "Donald Trump is a small business, and I know Donald Trump doesn't like to think of himself as small anything." - Barack Obama

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7. "Look, I’ve been in business for 25 years. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I maybe need to get a new accountant." - Mitt Romney

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6. “But I think math, common sense, and our history shows us that’s not a recipe for job growth.” - Barack Obama

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5. “I had five seconds before you interrupted me.” - Barack Obama

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4. “I had a friend who said you don’t just pick the winners and losers, you pick the losers, all right?” - Mitt Romney

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3. "And at some point, I think the American people have to ask themselves, is the reason that Governor Romney is keeping all these plans to replace secret because they’re too good? Is it—is it because that somehow middle-class families are going to benefit too much from them?" - Barack Obama

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2. “I’m sorry, Jim, I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I’m going to stop other things. I like PBS, I love Big Bird, I actually like you, too. But I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for.” - Mitt Romney

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1. "Well, for 18 months he’s been running on this tax plan. And now, five weeks before the election, he’s saying that his big, bold idea is, 'Never mind.'” - Barack Obama

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