WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE. . . .

Yes, the President had a subpar debate performance. Some of it was apparently deliberate: reports were that certain subjects--Mr. Mitt's 47 percent remarks, his tax returns--were purposely put off-limits. And some of it was apparently poor reactions on the part of a President too long in the bubble of sycophantic aides. For example, Mr. Mitt put forth many false numbers and "facts" that were left unchallenged.

But did a subpar debate performance warrant being thrown under the bus by Chris Matthews, Ed Schultz, and crowd? Let's be blunt. We all know MSNBC is in the tank for Democrats, just as Fox News is in the tank for Republicans. Nothing wrong with that, or at least it's not something that we can do anything about. But when your guy or gal has a bad night, such as Obama's first debate night, do you pile on to the extent Obama was piled on by his alleged media friends? The vitriol they expressed toward their man was, in the opinion of this observer, way over the line.

Moreover, their criticisms weren't all necessarily valid. Yes, Obama probably should have gone after Mr. Mitt's falsehoods and distortions much more vigorously. But how about stuff like Mr. Mitt's infamous 47 percent remarks? The President chose not to bring that up and consequently got hammered by Matthews and company.

But Mr. Mitt showed the following night in an interview with his buddy Mr. Hannity on Fox that he had a ready answer for the 47 percent faux pas. Mr. Mitt admitted error. He did not deny uttering the damning words. But he said he was "just completely wrong."

So where would that have left Mr. Obama? With having little comeback other than an adult version of the school yard's, "Yeah, well so's your mother." By not bringing up the matter, the President leaves the 47 percent albatross around Mr. Mitt's neck. It is still valid fodder for campaign commercials. It is still ammunition for the next two debates.

The President needs to do a better job in the next debates. But he should do it on the substantive issues. He should aggressively hammer Mr. Mitt on the latter's many incorrect, misleading, and simply imaginary numbers and "facts." But 47 percent, tax returns, Bain Capital, and the like? They are best left to the surrogates and the commercials.