Obama Won, But…
October 17, 2012 - by
Mitt Romney let an inexplicable obsession with Benghazi get him slapped down by Candy Crowley and slam-dunked by President Obama, but last night’s debate also showed why Democrats should still worry.
Let’s get this straight first: Ignore anybody who tells you these debates don’t matter. They matter big-time.
This was America’s first reality-show presidential debate. Presidential debates finally descended to the level of Maury Povich and Jerry Springer.
It was real, live drama, for the highest possible stakes. And Obama won because he won the big dramatic moments.
Obama beat his biggest opponent: himself. He didn’t repeat the limp, listless performance that had Democrats hiding under the bedcovers for almost two weeks.
He looked cool and in command: presidential. (Remember the rule: Bugs Bunny always beats Daffy Duck.) Romney too often looked petty, petulant and like a powerful CEO who has never been told no in his life.
But it comes down to this: If Romney loses this election, he will always ask himself why he went off on a jihad about who-lost-Libyan-security instead of hammering at what should be a winning message: the economy.
He played too loose with the facts about Libya, and he paid a price by being corrected by Crowley and chastised by a clearly angry Obama.
That was bad for Romney, and he was wobbly for much of the rest of the debate.
But the winner-loser flash polls show why Democrats should worry. Yes, undecided voters said Obama won. But they also said Romney was better on the economy.
Romney’s attack on Obama’s economic record was effective. And it’s not enough for Obama to just defend his record – not nearly enough. He has to offer a strong positive message.
Herein lies Obama’s biggest fault – last night and throughout this campaign. If he loses the election, he will always ask himself: Why didn’t I offer the American people a clear economic plan for the next four years?
Something like: “We were facing a financial collapse and a Depression when we came in. We prevented that, and we’ve been working our way back – with no help from the Republicans. If I’m reelected, here’s what I’m going to do to rebuild an innovation economy and create new jobs.” Then spell it out.
For reasons just as inexplicable as why Romney wastes time talking about Libya, this strategic imperative has not sunk in with the President and his team. Time is running out. And he won’t be able to do it in the next debate, because it will be about foreign policy.
So, yes, I liked the President’s fight last night. And I enjoyed the obvious discomfort of Romney and his fans. But I’m not popping any champagne corks.
Obama Won, But…
October 17, 2012/
Mitt Romney let an inexplicable obsession with Benghazi get him slapped down by Candy Crowley and slam-dunked by President Obama, but last night’s debate also showed why Democrats should still worry.
Let’s get this straight first: Ignore anybody who tells you these debates don’t matter. They matter big-time.
This was America’s first reality-show presidential debate. Presidential debates finally descended to the level of Maury Povich and Jerry Springer.
It was real, live drama, for the highest possible stakes. And Obama won because he won the big dramatic moments.
Obama beat his biggest opponent: himself. He didn’t repeat the limp, listless performance that had Democrats hiding under the bedcovers for almost two weeks.
He looked cool and in command: presidential. (Remember the rule: Bugs Bunny always beats Daffy Duck.) Romney too often looked petty, petulant and like a powerful CEO who has never been told no in his life.
But it comes down to this: If Romney loses this election, he will always ask himself why he went off on a jihad about who-lost-Libyan-security instead of hammering at what should be a winning message: the economy.
He played too loose with the facts about Libya, and he paid a price by being corrected by Crowley and chastised by a clearly angry Obama.
That was bad for Romney, and he was wobbly for much of the rest of the debate.
But the winner-loser flash polls show why Democrats should worry. Yes, undecided voters said Obama won. But they also said Romney was better on the economy.
Romney’s attack on Obama’s economic record was effective. And it’s not enough for Obama to just defend his record – not nearly enough. He has to offer a strong positive message.
Herein lies Obama’s biggest fault – last night and throughout this campaign. If he loses the election, he will always ask himself: Why didn’t I offer the American people a clear economic plan for the next four years?
Something like: “We were facing a financial collapse and a Depression when we came in. We prevented that, and we’ve been working our way back – with no help from the Republicans. If I’m reelected, here’s what I’m going to do to rebuild an innovation economy and create new jobs.” Then spell it out.
For reasons just as inexplicable as why Romney wastes time talking about Libya, this strategic imperative has not sunk in with the President and his team. Time is running out. And he won’t be able to do it in the next debate, because it will be about foreign policy.
So, yes, I liked the President’s fight last night. And I enjoyed the obvious discomfort of Romney and his fans. But I’m not popping any champagne corks.