Washington Agenda / Roger Simon, Chief Political Columnist at the POLITICO

"One word of advice for Barack Obama before his next debate: caffeine.

I had a Pepsi right before the debate started Wednesday night and was tingly for the next 90 minutes.

President Obama looked like someone had slipped him an Ambien.

The first presidential debate of 2012 took place at the University of Denver and was between Obama and Mitt Romney. But only Romney showed up.

For much of the debate, it appeared as if Obama, the former professor, and not Obama, the presidential candidate, was on stage.

It’s not that Romney’s performance was perfect or polished — it wasn’t — it’s just that Obama’s was so mediocre.

It is possible Obama was overconfident, but I doubt it. He is not a foolish man. So I think he was just overtired or over-distracted or over-something. But he sure wasn’t over-energetic..."