# Instance Count Analysis: 2007-2012 Key Debates

**Generated:** 2025-06-28
**Focus:** Counting specific instances in key debate moments

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## Detailed Instance Counts


### Obama 'Likeable Enough'

**Total Words:** 16,914
**Interruptions/Crosstalk:** 3
**Personal Attacks/Confrontational Language:** 29 
**Policy Specifics (numbers/percentages):** 40

**Key Moments Found:**

**Memorable Quotes:**

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### McCain vs Obama #1

**Total Words:** 16,177
**Interruptions/Crosstalk:** 2
**Personal Attacks/Confrontational Language:** 50 
**Policy Specifics (numbers/percentages):** 55

**Key Moments Found:**

**Memorable Quotes:**
- Fundamentals of economy

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### Biden vs Palin

**Total Words:** 17,075
**Interruptions/Crosstalk:** 1
**Personal Attacks/Confrontational Language:** 42 
**Policy Specifics (numbers/percentages):** 31

**Key Moments Found:**

**Memorable Quotes:**
- Hockey mom references
- Fundamentals of economy

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### Obama Disaster vs Romney

**Total Words:** 17,026
**Interruptions/Crosstalk:** 0
**Personal Attacks/Confrontational Language:** 38 
**Policy Specifics (numbers/percentages):** 90

**Key Moments Found:**

**Memorable Quotes:**

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### Biden vs Ryan

**Total Words:** 17,162
**Interruptions/Crosstalk:** 67
**Personal Attacks/Confrontational Language:** 85 
**Policy Specifics (numbers/percentages):** 89

**Key Moments Found:**

**Memorable Quotes:**
- 47 percent references

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## Communication Evolution Patterns

**Obama 2008 vs 2012:**
- 2008: More confrontational, cocky ("likeable enough")
- 2012: Passive, disengaged, tired performance

**Biden 2008 vs 2012:**
- 2008: Restrained, experienced elder statesman
- 2012: Aggressive, interrupting, less controlled

**Crisis Impact:**
- Financial crisis debates showed stark leadership contrasts
- McCain appeared erratic, Obama steady but uninspiring
- Romney's preparation contrasted sharply with Obama's fatigue

**Notable Trends:**
- Increasing use of specific numbers and statistics over time
- More personal attacks and confrontational language in later debates
- Evolution from substantive policy discussion to more performative elements

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## Brutal Assessment

Most performances were mediocre with only Romney's 2012 showing truly exceptional preparation and energy. Obama's evolution from 2008 confidence to 2012 fatigue was striking. Biden's transformation from 2008 gravitas to 2012 over-aggression damaged his standing. The debates showed how external events (financial crisis, 47% video context) heavily influenced candidate behavior and public perception.

