Mitt Romney’s presidential debate performance last night in
Denver was astounding! No doubt about it. It was truly a masterful performance.
His performance was amazing in an X Factor, American Idol, Dancing with
the Stars reality show kind of way. Based on his debate tactics, it appears
Romney is treating this election like he is a contestant on Survivor. His campaign motto should be-Out Play, outwit, outlast.
Say anything to win. Unfortunately we live in an era where style means
everything but substance-not so much. When most Americans that will choose the
leader of the free world in a few weeks know more about Snooki from Jersey Shore
than Education Secretary Arne Duncan, it is not surprising that most viewers
thought Romney won the debate. Damn the facts, Mitt was the aggressor, the energy that drove this made for television event . After all we tune in to reality TV to watch the
compelling, conniving, crazy characters willing to deceive and do anything to
win. We overlook their character flaws and even revel in them. They are our
favorite characters so we give them a pass. But here is the reality America. This
is not a TV program it is an important election. An election must be about
substance. Facts and details matter regardless of what a candidate says in
a debate. They owe you that. When style is more important than substance we get
a performance not an honest discussion of the important issues facing our
country today. Truth matters too.
Certainly anyone that has been paying attention knows the
overwhelming number of Romney’s responses strained credulity. His ever changing
positions on taxes, deficit reduction, healthcare reform and the plight of the middle class are very telling. Unfortunately a significant percentage
of the estimated 60 to 70 million people that watched the debate have no idea of
the positions of either candidate. So last night was their first opportunity to
meet Mitt. Unless you know better one could come away from the debate thinking
that Romney is a champion of the middle class. So there is the problem, not for
Romney, after all for him it is mission accomplished. He saved his floundering
campaign well at least for a week or two. But a lot of voters have been deceived,
misled and bamboozled. So if one wins a debate by being intentionally
disingenuous and offering few details then Romney won hands down. If the idea
is to just win baby then he may be on the track toward doing
that--But at what cost? If you believe as I do that at a minimum any person
running for the presidency should be honest, consistent, share facts and provide
details then if Romney’s performance propels him to victory we the American
people may end up being the Biggest Loser. Not because of any policy
disagreements but because style will have triumphed over substance. That is
fine for X Factor but not for a presidential election. We need to raise our expectations of the candidates and demand answers. We need to be active participants throughout the election process and do our homework. Go to rallies or call campaign offices and ask questions. So the question becomes
will the electorate reward Mitt Romney based on style points or research his real positions at www.MittRomney.com and vote him off the
island? Mike Nixon
Copyright 2012 Politicomm
All Rights Reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment