A Quick way to disarm Mitt and his zingers

[BootinUp]

So Mitt uses one of his zingers...

Obama starts out by complimenting him for how well he practiced the zinger and delivered it, then explains how leading the country is more than memorizing zingers.

[avebury]

1. That is good! nt

[fugop]

2. Yahtzee!

That's exactly what I hope he does. Early on, too, so every time thereafter, Mitt tries to zing and Obama just smiles, shakes his head knowingly and reminds the audience of Mitt's desperation.

[grasswire]

8. if it weren't a cliche....

...the "there you go again" phrase would be very useful.

[pinboy3niner]

3. And memorizing 'zingers' won't help when that 3am phone call comes. nt

[Patiod]

12. That's my #1 reason for supporting Obama

I know in my heart he can handle the 3am call. He's proven it time and time again.

[Mz Pip]

4. Now that it is out on public

By time the debate rolls around people will be more focused on hearing a MittZinger than on the content of his remarks.

Mitt is trying too hard to be cute . If he really tries to be funny it will come across as flat and lame. Go for it Mitt!

[karynnj]

13. I agree - zingers entrance the media, but unless there is a previously

known, but not yet baked in truth behind it, it is hard to see how it moves anyone.

Think of the fact that one of the best lines was Benson's that Quayle was no JFK. Great line and it fit the widely held view that Quayle was a lightweight, but it added nothing new. It didn't do much to the results.

However, think of ALL the primaries. Did Romney have any real zingers? Not really - more often someone got him. In addition, he likely though the bet comment was a zinger to Perry. He looked so proud of himself as he did it. Consider his smile/smirk when speaking of Bengazie. If I (shudder to think of it) had to advise Romney, it would be to avoid anything like that because he sucks at it.

To me, what might be the hardest thing for Romney to do is to show the proper respect for the President as he challenges his positions by offering alternatives. (Consider Kerry 2004 who did this very well being both very much the gentleman he is and attacking Bush.) Consider that Romney spent so many years of his life as the boss who others deferred to. That showed in the primaries where his opponents were peers. Not to mention, he is the unpopular guy attacking the popular guy and a popular guy noted for being able to stay cool and calm. His base wants red meat attacks - and many believe in the fantasy RW version of the President - but at the debate the real Obama is there.

I think that Romney needs to avoid anything like clever zingers unless they absolutely fit the question.

[louis-t]

15. "Bet you $10,000" That wasn't a 'zinger'?

[flyguyjake]

31. You hit the nail on the head!

[Freddie]

5. "That's a good one, Willard! May I call you Willard?"

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. That's Kind Of How The Big Dog Handled A Personal Attack By Dole

He said something like no personal attack balanced a budget, fed a hungry child, provided a job, et cetera...

[BootinUp]

9. Yes, I vaguely remember that

and Clinton did a superb job there. I don't really think Obama needs suggestions from me, this is just an example of how easy Romney can be handled.

[lonestarnot]

7. 4 more days until this fun!

[pamela]

10. I think he should say "Now, don't get ugly."

or "No need to get ugly, Governor." It would be a good way to get it into the narrative that Mitt gets ugly without actually calling him ugly. That's a good word to have attached to Mitt and his ugly followers.

[Schema Thing]

11. He should have shot glasses on his podium

and take a drink every time Mitt delivers a zinger.

[valerief]

14. But the prez would still be able to use his zingers, right? nt

[marble falls]

16. And then when he uses another, the President says, "There you go again."

[SunSeeker]

17. Sounds like Mitt is copying Palin. But Palin's "Say it ain't so, Joe" zinger impressed only her.

You just KNEW something was coming when she asked Biden if she could call him Joe. Then she triumphantly sprung it on him, while ignoring the pending question. Zingers are how you camouflage your ass when resorting to the other Palin debate tactic: ignore the question and just blurt out talking points. Lastly, of course, there's the third of Palin's three debate tactics, the sexy wink. Good luck with that one, Mitt.

[stupidicus]

18. I'd simply ask

"are your pants on fire again?"

[arely staircase]

19. he has zingers?

eom

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

20. Obama should carry a zinger in his pocket and whip it out and take a bite

"I brought zingers of my own."

[-Steph-]

22. That would be hilarious!

[BenzoDia]

21. Pretty good idea to diffuse them. If done early enough, it'll make further ones sound forced. nt

[oberliner]

23. I think that plays into Romney's hands

That will make him seem pompous and smug.

I say, stick to the facts - don't worry about the zingers.

Romney looked awful in debates against his fellow Republicans. I'm confident Obama will do just fine.

[RBInMaine]

25. Nah, too many liberals are too wimpy. If hit, you hit back twice as hard. Obama will counterpunch.

[oberliner]

37. In any case, it will be all about the spin

Whatever Obama does, the anti-Obama crowd will spin it against him.

[pinto]

28. I think Obama will do just fine, as well. And the internet has already prepped most folks

for the zinger ploy. Would still enjoy seeing Obama making a simple, good-natured jab at the approach, though.

[oberliner]

29. That could work

I am just thinking back to Newt vs. Mitt at the Republican debates. I don't want Obama to come across as "bullying" poor Mitt Romney. I think Mitt would like to try to create that impression.

[world wide wally]

24. Obama just smiles and says,

"And they said you don't have a sense of humor for some reason"

[reflection]

26. I thought of this as well.

Something along the lines of "good soundbite, Governor Romney. I see all that business experience you have was in marketing. I may hire you during my second term."

Ok, I wouldn't say the last sentence. But I would say the first two.

[sevenseas]

27. I am living for this debate

Go, Obama... .... we are rooting for you!

I can just imagine Williard laughing nervously during the debate, and the next day the pundits will be so enthused saying how Romney beat Obama in the debate no matter how badly he actually does...

...kind of reminds me of the morning after McCain picked Palin how the pundits drooled, (I could use another word but trying to keep this clean), going on and on about McCain's incredible brilliance...

So how'd that work out for ya', John?

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

30. Short of Romney tripping and taking a flying leap into the audience and suffering a concussion

I have a feeling that he'll be feted by the pundit BSers as the hero of the debate.

[fun n serious]

32. The Zingers come natural for Mitt.

He is an angry man with a lot of hate in his dark heart. Poor poor Ann. I bet she is the brunt of his zingers all the time.

[sevenseas]

33. YES- and his poor sons-

I'll bet they see him coming down the hallway and try to duck into a shadow before he sees them, just to avoid another self-esteem shattering remark.

[pinboy3niner]

34. Someone suggested the leak of the zinger story was calculated...

...so the Romney campaign can harvest ideas from Twitter and the blogosphere.

[pa28]

35. I think Obama should mention the so-called "zingers" in his opening.

He's heard how hard Mitt has worked on them and he's looking forward to hearing his devastating one-liners.

Now he's got a nice little narrative established and Romney will look like a fool when he wheels them out

[Red Mountain]

36. Best reply....

....has to acknowledge the zinger, how clever it was, how he must have developed his keen wit in the business world and add......"but at the end of the day, Mitt, you don't get to close down the country and sell the pieces for a profit."