Big Chance to Shine
http://www.usnews.com/usn…_most_to_ga.htm
Now that the Democrats have completed their first presidential debate, it will be the Republicans’ turn next Thursday when they convene at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., for their own nationally televised encounter.
And no candidate is looking forward more to the event than former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. For many weeks, Romney’s advisers have been predicting that he will score well in the debate–by proving that he is “presidential,” is a “true conservative,” and has a mastery of the issues as deep and broad as that of anyone in the race. Romney definitely needs a breakthrough. He has been unable to rise above about 10 percent support in polls of Republican voters even though he has raised more money than any other GOP candidate.
“He needs to move the campaign forward,” says a Romney strategist, who admits that the candidate has developed a reputation as an opportunist for reversing himself on issues such as abortion and gay rights and for exaggerating his background as a hunter–all supposedly to appeal to the conservative base.
“Once these impressions set in, it’s hard to unwind them,” says the strategist.
–Kenneth T. Walsh
I can’t wait for to next Thursday, and not just because it’s my day off. Gov. Romney has a chance to really stake a claim to the conservative mantle by blowing away the pretenders at these debates. Many Americans will be seeing Romney for the first time. His biggest obstacle being the number of political corpses littering the field (10 debaters!).
The only piece of advice I have for him is to be bold.
~~~Thomas
April 29th, 2007 at 7:20 am
I’d caution against getting our hopes up for the debate. With 10 people, it’s going to be exceedingly hard fir anyone to distinguish themselves. Any “blowing away” is unlikely.
April 29th, 2007 at 8:16 am
You’re right, Matthew. It’s a misnomer to call these things a debate. It’s more of a beauty contest. Forget about discussing anything in depth. You won’t have the time. It’s more important to appear that you COULD discuss the issues in depth, and that you speak with confidence, authority, and wisdom. The only way you might get an opportunity to speak in depth is if you say something provocative, someone challenges you, and you can respond with guns blazing.
April 29th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Previous poster is correct, but THIS is exactly where Mitt will ‘Shine!’ An old warrior of many political wars, Mike Glover, said it best just today on C-SPAN Morning Journal. “After watching these political contests for the last 30 years, I’ve come to the conclusion that voters are looking for someone they LIKE and TRUST.” Mitt will Shine!
April 29th, 2007 at 11:13 am
If he said NOTHING — Mitt Romney would stand above the crowd. If he speaks clearly and passionately (as he has always done), he will gain the attention of those who have never seen/heard him.
His demeanor, intellect and presence will be noted …. The problem will be that others (dems and his competitors) will step up their attack(s) on him.
We who believe in his candidacy MUST step up our support.
April 29th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
http://theactblog.wordpress.com/2007/04/29/pre-debate-rundown/
The ACT Blog’s first pre-debate breakdown for the 2008 Republican Presidential Debates.
April 29th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Mitt Romney has no choice but to distinguish himself in these debates, since it is among the few opportunities he gets to have his name in the headlines. My mantra for Romney is to channel Reagan, and exude Kennedy (detail this later in future posts). I think in these debates, he needs to cement the idea that he is the Reaganesque conservative candidate in his proposals. He needs to also highlight the inconsistencies in the views of McCain and Guiliani and essentially hold their feet to the fire for not taking conservative stands on many issues. As much as it is noted that Romney has flip flopped on many issues, what hasn’t been noted is how many issue stances McCain and Giuliani take that are not conservative, to date. At least Romney, despite his “flip flops,” is taking conservative positions across the board and that needs to be his response to those senseless accusations–senseless in that all that matters in 2008 is where you stand and not where you stood. It will be an interesting debate, but a debate I am sure Fred Thompson will watch closely to determine whether he will enter or not. I think if Fred Thompson enters the race, I won’t say it’s over for Romney, but the last thing Romney needs is a strong conservative candidate, dividing the conservative vote. McCain and Guiliani will war for the moderates and independents and that was suppose to give the conservatives all to Romney. With Fred Thompson in the race that will not happen and you may see Romney get push out of contention, since really you can only divide up the electorate so much. Three strong candidates is at the limit. Four is unrealistic. Romney has to strive to keep it three and among the three be in the top two.
April 29th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Call me pessimistic but with Chris Matthews there, I think he’ll do his best to make Romney a potted plant. Romney will do great but I don’t think they’ll give him much room to shine.
April 29th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Great thoughts all!
I totally agree with Matthew and Gull on support.
Mitt is pretty bright and clever. I look to see some surprizes from him.
April 29th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Im happy Just cause I have the day off lol. But, I know he will outshine the rest. After all, he has been the most outspoken.
April 29th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Joe, if it begins to look like chris Matthews is making Mitt a potted plant watch mitt for some serious interaction. He will not let down, nor will he let anyone make him a potted plant, i cerainly wouldnt if I saw that happen. I know mitt wont let them EITHER.