Behind the hoopla of the 2012 First Presidential Debate, though Obama stood his ground, Romney knocked him off point. But the Romney messaging was aimed at “the hidden audience,” the decent Americans who care about the future of their nation, not the partisan camps. Here’s what Romney did out of the gate:
- looked presidential showing he deserved to be on the stage and in the presidential arena.
- took the high road in tone, responses and educability of the message for the audience.
- spoke in a manner which folks could understand without being condescending, sarcastic or evasive.
- reassured the public that he was a sensible, practical, law abiding, compassionate, and loving family man full of common sense who wants a better world; but one based on the constitutional mandates of this nation.
- demonstrated leadership through a command of the issues and fairness as well as firmness when confronted.
- showed that he got it in how he engaged with the citizens making them feel comfortable while wanting him for a great guest at their table.
- and through all of the above, Romney un-demonized himself and the Republican Party both of which the opponent constantly berates.
Romney with class, without degrading his opponent and while being respectful of the current occupant of the White House pitched a deal for a moral economic future worthy of passing its torch on to our children as well as deserving of our vote.
The impact of Romney’s performance was immediate in a changed perception about him for many. This was additionally quite important for the Republican base, Tea Party, undecided and unaffiliated or independents, as well as critical in rallying his own troops in a long election period when battle fatigued could easily set in. Romney clearly brought his “A” game to the first debate’s field of play.
Anyone thinking Obama is down and out misunderstands the power of incumbency to change the focus of the news, to command media attention on a whim and to play to election strategies with actions and political policies which are politically aimed at getting out the vote. The worst thing from either camp could be the engagement in a war or rhetorically increasing a racial divide. The best would be to do as Reagan did in trusting the people as one makes ones case for ones policies before the American people.
Foreign Policy is something which will command the attention of USA citizens and the world in a future presidential level discussion. Will we resort to nation building, isolationism, globalism or any combination of these and other policies?
Most should appreciate after this debate that Romney should be ready to take on anything which comes his way. He is worthy of our consideration for his vote.
