I watched the entire debate last night on CNN and long afterwards.
Despite CNN's initial poll declaring Mitt Romney the winner against president Obama by a big margin of 3 to 1, I believe a home-run celebration by the Romney camp is premature and the final outcome of this election is still far from certain.
But one thing is obvious to me now: if president Obama wants to keep his job next month, he will have to take his velvet gloves off during the next two debates.
As the so-called underdog coming into last night's debate, Mitt Romney's strategy was predictable:
(1) Be offensive & aggressive from the get go, rather than being put on the defensive;
(2)Co-opt the central theme from the Obama campaign and appeal directly to the Middle Class while distancing himself from the Rich & Privileged;
(3) Quote a whole bunch of statistics & figures to show off how prepared & knowledgeable he is--regardless of whether they are accurate or not;
(4) Utilize his body language to act human & communicate empathy for the "suffering Americans";
(5) Stay focussed on the current state of U.S. economy and avoid his own "weakness" becoming the topic instead.
President Obama wanted to look and act "presidential" but in so doing: he appeared unduly restrained, lot less animated & passionate than Romney....indeed almost aloof by contrast.
It 's not that Obama hasn't presented his arguments & statistics with credibility & conviction. It was the tone in which he did that gave TV audience the impression he was being hounded by Romney into a defensive corner. In short, he was too polite.
A debate at this juncture with so much at stake of a race so close: it is no longer just an intellectual exercise. It is also theatre & blood-sport, like it or not! The sooner Obama wakes up to this cold reality--which he will--the better his chance of regaining his lead, no matter how slim.
You see: it is no secret by now that Mitt Romney's entire political career is full of flip-flops on public policies & personal values. But one thing is consistent about him: his overriding ambition to be the president. And his willingness to do almost anything to get there.
Yesterday was the Obamas' 20th wedding anniversary. Ironically, president Obama gave the surprise gift away to--guess who--Mitt Romney! |
