Saturday, September 22, 2012

It's Time to Step It up, Mitt

 Diogenes

Once you take into account the usual post-convention bounces in poll numbers, it is fair to say that the gap between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney remains within the margin of error. Last weeks weak job numbers, however, guarantee that the economy will remain the priority issue for most voters, and the race is expected to stay a close one until the first debate between the two candidates.


 
This being said, this election will be about more than economic indicators at the end of the day. Character and vision will take on an importance of their own when we enter debate season. Mitt Romney still hasn’t succeeded in conveying a clear idea of the kind of president he will be.

After the last three years Obama cannot regain the luster of 2008, where his historic quest attracted a herd of new sheep, and he hasn't succeed in showing that he has a record and accomplishments to defend. The Republican account of a Carter-like leader with a far left radical agenda seems to be a narrative that (conveniently filtered through the media) plays only to hard core conservatives. Against the record of the Golfer and Chief, a more compelling Romney should have given the Romney a decided advantage coming out of the convention season. But that did not happen.

Focus is now shifting to the first presidential debate, which will be held on Oct. 3. Until then, both parties will concentrate on the key swing states, with Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, North Carolina, Wisconsin and New Hampshire quite possibly shaping the outcome of the election.

Unlike Sarah Palin in 2008, it appears that vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan seems to not have generated enthusiasm beyond the Republican base, but could play a part in bringing support in swing states. Palin had her shortcomings, but it is on the record that her performance at the RNC in 2008 gave a needed post-convention bounce to the Republican ticket. The failure of Lehman Brothers in mid September 2008 did much to curb that enthusiasm, but Ryan, a far superior candidate than Palin, seems listless at this stage of the campaign. Hopefully the debates will show the enthusiastic Rep. Ryan of the congress.

Joe Biden may sometimes appear over-exuberant, and he does convey the aura of a crazy uncle who had one to many after dinner, but is we saw in 2008, if he can find the podium , he's a decent debater.

So the first debate will become a make or break moment for Romney-Ryan. Romney has steadfastly held to his position on his tax returns until Saturday, but has failed to give the country a clear Romney at this late stage of the campaign.

No matter how well Romney does in the debates, the media will not admit he did well, but the first debate will give him another opportunity to engage with the American public without a filter. 

It might be his last chance.

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7 comments:

  1. Fear not. People tell pollsters what pollsters want to hear. The only poll that counts will be on November 6th, when people make their mark in private. Obama IS toast.

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  2. There is a definite difference between what the MSM is reporting and the reality of the World. The MSM is so deeply committed to reelecting Obama that they have completely forgotten any ethics of journalism they might once have had. I agree with Pops that Obama is toast, but I also agree with Diogenes that the debates are going to be fairly critical. I still do not understand why the morons in the Republican party allow the left to run all of the debates. However, Mitt has become decidedly combative compared to McCain. He has lots of good arguments on his side. Obama has nothing but his pisspoor record and a bunch of unsubstantiated claims about Romney being related to Dracula. I agree with Romney, having been a teacher for 45 years, that the 47& are pretty much in Obama's corner. However, many of them may not show up on election day, and we know that our people will. Keep the faith!

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  3. The one thing that bothers me is that the left will be asking the questions in all of the debates.

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  4. It just so happens that the Lunatic got to meet his Congresscritter (Michael Grimm, R-Staten island) this afternoon, and we had a little chat about both the Supreme Court, and the Middle East. The gist that I get from Grimm is that the Mid East thingy is much more dangerous than the Administration is letting on, and that the economy is even further in the dumper than previously thought.

    (Note: Grimm is on the House Banking/Finance Committee).

    It seems that Romney is getting a little gun shy, seeing as how every time he opens his mouth -- and tells an unpardonable truth -- the press sh*its all over him, and then the next week is taken up with "Can you believe Romney said that???" full-court-press-navel-gazing from the Chris Matthews' of the world that eventually leaks out into the Conservative press.

    (And you know who you are, Peggy Noonan....)

    Romney had better get it in his head that the press is not his friend, and that he should continue to speak truths, no matter how he gets hammered. This thing is too important to be run by the old go-along-to-get-along Establishment playbook, or by the media's rules.

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  5. I think all the polls are rigged in Obmummer's favor to disenchant undecided voters into thinking that voting Mittens is a lost cause.

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  6. A minor note. "we saw in 2008, if he can find the podium , he's a decent debater. " That was then, this is now. Joe is toast in a debate.

    I cannot fault any of the above comments, as I see their observations as being true.

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  7. Oh look, another advice column for Romney by a nobody. How helpful.

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