This is, admittedly, an opinion piece. That is full disclosure.
What this writer found most amazing about the so-called debate, is how Mitt Romney showed up and espoused everything that the President has been saying. Romney made it sound as if he and President Obama had switched ideas. It must have stunned President Obama, but not as much as it did viewers, how Romney took all of Obama's positions, and then accused the President of being against those positions.
Romney had many Five Point Plans, and did a lot of counting: First, Second, and so on. Many times he began his responses that way, but he never got into actual details. Each time he went through his Five Points, he glossed over details.
The now-famous Mitt-fits showed up, as well. Romney had a hard time keeping his cool. Many times he talked over the President and the moderator, running on and on. He seemed agitated, and eager to speak, but never did get into details, while President Obama did offer specifics. In addition, each time the President asked Mitt for details, he gave the same glossed-over bullet points.
That Romney co-opted so much of the Democrats' ideas seemed outrageous, until we remembered that Mitt Romney will say anything, do anything, to gain votes. He will contradict himself as many times as necessary, in order to appear to be the candidate of choice.
The problem with that is the choice itself. It has become clear that there is no way to pin down Mitt Romney and have him take a solid stand; he will take any stand necessary, even if he changes his mind to fit the circumstances.
While the President gave specifics, Romney did not. It was clear that Romney wanted to win the Presidency, in the worst way, and that is how he presented his ideas -- in the very worst way.
Every so-called five-point plan Romney presented, he stole from President Obama's and the Democrats' planks; yet again, Romney had no actual details of those plans or how to pay for them. He was all style, and no substance.
Romney also spent a lot of time mugging for the cameras while President Obama spoke. Romney did that better than the President. Romney mugged for the camera, while Mr. Obama spoke. Perhaps he thought that he was not on camera while President Obama was. On the other side, President Obama was thoughtful, listened to the challenger, and took notes, while Romney spoke.
If we ask ourselves which side Mitt Romney is on, the only honest answer is "all sides!"
We wish President Obama had been more forceful, in asking how Romney can tell the American People the plans he has, but not explain why his party has virtually blocked every good thing the President wants to do.
Does this make Mitt Romney a more palatable candidate? On the contrary. His numerous episodes of talking over the moderator and the President, shows he does not have the temperament to hold the highest office of the land. He was so impatient to get his so-called ideas out; he was impolite to both the President and the Moderator.
While Mitt Romney may have looked good, he did not perform well, if his performance is rated on his explanation of the details of his various plans. What disappointed this writer was that the President did not take it to Romney hard enough. He did not challenge Romney on why the Republicans have blocked every effort the President has made to make life better for the Lower and Middle classes. He did not rub the 47% issue in Romney's face; he did not make Romney give specifics.
This writer's friends and family have all said they wanted to smack Mitt Romney, who stood there, mugging for the camera with a smug look on his face, happy to be telling the viewing public everything they want to hear. Mitt never got into detail, just used his Five Point Plans; never was he specific about a single thing.
Once more, Romney counted upon style over substance. Style will not solve the problems this country is facing; only substance will. Ideas and plans are needed to help The USA move forward. Not by taking people's rights away, one at a time. At one point, Romney pointed over his shoulder at the Constitution, and talked about the rights granted by the Constitution. What is true is that Romney and the GOP are ready to take away a woman's right to choose the proper course for her own body. Romney and the GOP are ready to take away the right for two people who love each other, to be married, even if they are not of opposite sexes. The GOP and their anointed candidate are ready to take away more rights than we can imagine.
On tonight's performance alone, based solely upon specifics of each candidate's plans, The President is the clear winner and the clear choice for the election of 2012.
