Two themes in these tweets that I picked up on. 1) The split screen was killing President Obama tonight. 2) POTUS looked desperate, Romney looked presidential.

@chucktodd: POTUS is consistently trying to draw Romney into a more contentious debate. It's what challengers do who think they r behind

@TheFix: If you had no idea about the race, the level of aggression from Obama would make you think he is behind. #lynndebate

@nickconfessore: Romney acting like a guy with a lead to protect, Obama like a guy trying to make up ground. Former feels more natural for this debate

@RichLowry: hmm. which of these two candidates thinks he's losing and shld make up ground?

@AriFleischer: O looks like he's going to lunge across the table at Romney.

@ChuckLane1: Obama's split-screen affect has been consistently off-putting tonite. #debate

@TheFix: much smart or non-presidential? #lynndebate

@ZekeJMiller :Obama trying to interrupt, while Romney continues undeterred. Another strong Mitt moment.  

@JamesHohmann: So far Romney has not allowed Obama to get under his skin. He's staying calm, but POTUS keeps trying to make him lose his cool.

@CarolWCPO: The President seems more aggressive, even angry. Gov. Romney was more aggressive last time. He seems to have dialed it back.

@FixAaron: Wow Obama is patronizing Romney big time. #lynndebate

@ArgusMontgomery: WOW. Obama off the charts with sarcasm and snark here.

@JonWard11: Romney and Obama have both gotten a good zinger off. Romney appears more positive. Obama looks dour, negative

@mattklewis: Obama looks utterly disgusted at Mitt Romney. The split screen isn't doing him any favors tonight

@rgjrayhagar: Obama's look is incredulous. #NVpresdebate

@RalstonReports: Could the president barely mask his disdain on that split screen any less?

@BuzzFeedBen: Romney goes, effectively, for the high ground after that Obama attack

@JayWeber3 With Obama slinging hollow bullshit, it's going to be imposs. for Romney to win this ,but Romney is looking presidential.

@NickKristof: Now Obama is spinning. He's been behind the curve on Syria, and has been a brake on allies wanting to help Syrian rebels.

@SamFeistCNN: CNNvoter focus group liked Romney saying he didn't want to use U.S. forces in Syria.

@zekemiller: After a rough open, Romney really taking control at this stage of the debate

@mccormackjohn: So far Romney much better in this debate than the second debate, no?

@piersmorgan: Romney actually very smart bringing this all back to economy. Will resonate better with insular American voters

@Amyewalter WalMart mom focus group likes Romney statements: "we can't kill our way out of this mess," & "we don't want another Iraq" 

@edhenryTV Good round 4 Romney on Russia b/c managed to hit Bush ("clear eyes" not looking into his soul) & Obama on "backbone" instead of flexibility

@ZekeJMiller: Obama trying to interrupt, while Romney continues undeterred. Another strong Mitt moment.

@FixAaron: Romney is pretty good at continuing to talk when Obama tries to interrupt him. Best not to engage the interruptions.

@KarlRove: Split screen not Obama's friend. It shows him looking @ Romney w/ contempt.Romney may not like BO but has better poker face...

@mattklewis Romney is clearly passing the credibility test, while also winning the likability contest.

@SamFeistCNN: Romney is pretty good at continuing to talk when Obama tries to interrupt him. Best not to engage the interruptions.

@SamSteinhp: Romney getting strong response here on CNN. but part of it is for complimenting Obama's Iran policy