Originally Posted By ecdc <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/romney-campaign-sets-debate-expectations-low-against-obama/" target="_blank">http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/po...t-obama/</a> >>In a memo sent to surrogates today, Romney senior adviser Beth Myers sets the expectations for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney low — very low — compared to the “ample rhetorical gifts” of his opponent. The memo says President Obama has a “significant advantage” heading into the first debate. “President Obama is a uniquely gifted speaker, and is widely regarded as one of the most talented political communicators in modern history,” Myers writes, calling Obama a “universally acclaimed public speaker.”<< Is this a genius move to lower Romney's expectations even further so he can be seen as doing a great job? I mean, at this point the debates are Obama's to lose. Or...is this just another misstep. Seems weird that you'd tout your opponents rhetorical gifts.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I think this is pretty standard operating procedures for campaigns. Build up the other guy so that expectations are for something amazing, so if it's only good, not great, it looks like a loss. Obama's camp is saying similar things about Romney, too.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>It isn't often that top officials in President Obama's campaign praise rival Mitt Romney. But when it comes to the presidential debates, there is no stopping the plaudits. "Gov. Romney is a very skilled debater," said Obama campaign manager Jim Messina. His boss, by contrast, is long and windy, "so clearly the governor has the advantage."<< Read more: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/22/debates-obama-camp-downplays-expectations-romney-looks-for-game-changer/#ixzz27nI9HPAe" target="_blank">http://www.foxnews.com/politic...7nI9HPAe</a>
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I do think that Romney has got more pitfalls than he did a month ago. The secretly recorded fundraiser comments is one thing, his unwillingness to release his tax returns is another. And the big enchilada is why Romneycare is good but Obamacare is evil. He still, at this late date, has no clear answer for that. I am sure he'll have lots of prepackaged "zingers" that will be muffed because Mitt's comic timing is right up there with the farmer in Grant Wood's "American Gothic." I would be greatly surprised if Mitt comes off as more likable after the debates, but we'll see. Maybe the past few years have ALL been a big set up by Romney, and he'll appear bright and engaging rather than grating and desperate.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 "There's such a fine line between clever and stupid, really." - Nigel Tufnel
Originally Posted By ecdc >>I think this is pretty standard operating procedures for campaigns.<< I follow politics pretty obsessively and missed this now obvious detail. But yeah, Obama's camp is doing the exact same thing. My miss, for sure.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 At this point all America is choosing between is horse crap and dog crap... It smells like crap no matter which way you look at it.
Originally Posted By Tikiduck I'll take the horse crap. At least it makes a good fertilizer, and in a pinch, you can burn it to stay warm. Much more practical than that doggy doo doo Romney.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>This election will not be decided by the debates, however. It will be decided by the American people. Regardless of who comes out on top in these debates, they know we can’t afford another four years like the last four years. And they will ultimately choose a better future by electing Mitt Romney to be our next president.<< In other words, Romney is behind in the polls and is going to suck at this debate, but everyone's gonna vote for him anyway.
Originally Posted By FaMulan they know we can’t afford another four years like the last four years.<< We also cannot afford a return to the policies of the prior Administration that put us on the brink of another Great Depression. Samuel L. Jackson put out a Youtube video parody of the book "Go the F*** to Sleep" called "Wake the F**** Up". Voters need to wake up, do their homework and vote.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer The hardest part about dealing with the Romney dog crap is getting it off the roof of the car.
Originally Posted By Tikiduck All they are doing here is lowering the bar. That way Romney can still clear it and look like he's a contender. I get the feeling these debates are going to be rather tame.
Originally Posted By SuperDry At this point, there's incredible pressure on Romney. I think this is his best chance between now and the election to turn things around proactively. If he can't do it during the debates, I think his only other chance is some dramatic issue involving apathy and voter turnout from Obama supporters.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<I get the feeling these debates are going to be rather tame.>> One only has to look at the lineup of the moderators to know this will be the case. When the 'winners' were announced, I was shocked that 1) no African-American or Latino moderators were selected, and 2) Gwen Ifill was shut out. I was hoping that Gwen would return to moderate at least the VP debate again, if not one of the Presidential debates. That would have been completely fair for such an experienced and professional journalist. This year, Jim Lehrer will be the only debate moderator I give a damn about, even though my respect for him has dropped significantly. He promised in November 2011 that he wouldn't do another Presidential debate, but someone got to him and changed his mind, which left Ifill out of the picture. She earned a moderator spot, more so than Candy Crowley. Totally unfair and just a tinge racist to boot.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Still the best political debate to date: <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/37730" target="_blank">http://www.hulu.com/watch/37730</a> 8^D
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Romney has without a doubt been practicing zingers and attempted "spontaneous moments" for months now. It's his best chance to make a splash. His previous splash attempts - picking Ryan and his convention - fell flat. He's being urged by the conservative commentariat to be aggressive and try to get under Obama's skin - make Obama say something prickly and hurt himself, if nothing else. And (he hopes) come up with a "There you go again" or "You're no Jack Kennedy" moment that everyone remembers. Spontaneously, of course. It's very typical for the challenger to tick up in the polls after the first debate - the mere fact that he's on the same stage as the President makes him look "Presidential" and like a possible alternative to the incumbent. It has been that way for a long time, for challengers of both parties. So if Romney ticks up a bit after Wednesday, it's not a big surprise. He needs more than a little bit, though. Hence, the advice to go for something big. Obama undoubtedly knows this, and if he's smart will make sure he lets nothing get under his skin - and perhaps even turns the tables and does something similar himself. Romney can also be prickly, and was at his worst in the primary debates on follow-ups and unplanned moments when someone got to him. The conventional wisdom is that Romney NEEDS a good (or even great) first debate. If he's perceived as losing (or even tying) the first debate, given his deficit in the polls now, he'll really get the loser's stank on him. My guess is he'll do fine, be perceived as tying or slightly winning by a mainstream media biased more than anything (as always) by the need to keep things interesting - to keep it a horserace and not a runaway. And Romney will gain a bit in the polls. But not enough. Of course, one or the other COULD stumble badly and change things up - we'll have to see. I'll be watching.
