Now I realize it's only one down with two to go, and I'm not foolish enough to believe that this one debate is in anyway a 'game-changer, but damn, last night sure was a great night for the good guys. And I gotta tell you I'm trying real hard not to become over confident in thinking that my guy just might be able to pull this thing out. But after the asswhoopin that was handed out to Barry, I'm finding that it's more than just a little difficult. There was Barry appearing a bit dazed and confused as well as a little lost without his ever-present teleprompter. And his flailing all around the debate stage last night, and I must admit, brought a slight smile to my face. He was stuttering, nervous and petulant. It was like he had been called in front of the principal after goofing around for four years and blowing off all of his homework.
And in what many have described as being yet another area where similarities can be made between Barry and good old Jimmy Carter, it was not since Carter faced Ronald Reagan that the U.S. presidency has been so embarrassingly represented in public. Actually, I suppose many of those some folks might say that that’s an insult to Carter. The split screen was, I think, what was most devastating for Barry. Mitt Romney spoke forthrightly, with carefully studied facts and details at the ready. He looked right at the president and accused him of being miles out of his depth. And Barry? Well, his eyes seemed to be glued to his lectern, looking guilty and angry and impatient. It was obvious that there were any number of places that he would rather have been than on that stage. This debate was seriously chaffing him.
And since I am nowhere near to being one of those self-professed political experts, I couldn't help but wonder what exactly Barry’s strategy might have been walking into this thing. Did he figure that with so many people unemployed in this abomination of an economy that he's created, that he could maybe go for the sympathy vote? Like very many voters could relate to a guy who is scared pantsless that he may be about to lose his job. Or maybe he's been able to convince himself that he's essentially got this thing all locked up and this whole debate thing is just a formality that needs to be completed. I thought it interested that in the middle of the blood-letting segment about jobs, Mr. Romney said good-naturedly: "This is fun." Almost pleading, Barry seemed to reach out to the moderator for a lifeline: "You may want to move onto another topic."
When some unexpected noise went off behind him, Barry wheeled around to look as if to ask, "Time to go?" I'm sure, by that time, he truly was wishing that it was over, but unfortunately for him, there was still a considerable amount of time left. I don't want to jinx anything here, but Barry really was absolutely terrible on the debate stage, unexpectedly so. To the point where it was obvious to some of his more vocal supporters, like Bill Maher. Supposedly a very agitated Maher was said to have 'Tweeted' that maybe Barry does need a teleprompter. So maybe the next debate will be on something other than the economy and won’t be quite so bad for Barry. Perhaps they could hold a debate on street organizing. And who knew that it would be Barry himself who would make Gov. Romney look easy, relaxed, smooth and even human?
Let's face it, you've got to be deaf, blind and dumb not to be able to recognize the fact that Gov. Romney was absolutely on fire Wednesday night. He had command of countless specifics from voters and business owners from all across country. He explained complex issues clearly, concisely and with good humor. He was not angry. But he was direct and very much to the point. In reference to Barry's claim about tax breaks compaines get for sending jobs overseas, Romney said, "I’ve been in business for 25 years. I have no idea what you’re talking about," in the most devastating understatement of the night. "I maybe need to get a new accountant." Like a prosecutor in court, Gov. Romney went after Barry’s record, or lack of, and eviscerated him about the terrible economy and Barry’s belief in "trickle down government."
Gov. Romney also came across as genuine by looking Barry in the eye with every criticism that was offered. He also looked moderator Jim Lehrer in the eye when he told him that if he became president he would cut funding to public broadcasting, possibly eliminating his job. Which I guess must have prompted Barry to, somewhat weakly, offer to Mr. Lehrer: "You’ve done a great job." OK, that’s one vote for Barry in the sympathy strategy. Only 55 million votes to go. And you know, he may just get them. But Gov. Romney did himself, as well as all of us who wish to see Barry defeated, a huge favor by showing up last night. He succeeded in putting on a demonstration, for those watching, that there is a very clear choice between the two candidates. And two very different and distinct paths being offered for consideration by the voters.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not admit up front that I watched the debate with a great deal of trepidation. While I hoped Mr. Romney to do well, I was worried that he might wilt under the pressure, which had to have been immense. I nearly didn't even watch. But not only did he prove that I had nothing at all to worry about, he made Barry and his supporters realize that, maybe, just maybe, they do. But we are all, including Gov. Romney, going to need to be very wary from this point on. Because an animal, especially a political animal like Barry, becomes its most dangerous when it feels cornered or trapped. And let's face it, with him being from Chicago, anything is possible, especially when it comes to dreaming up some sort of retaliation for this embarrassment that he been made to suffer. Let us not forget that one good debate performance does not an election win.
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