Does anyone think Romney WON'T say something stupid in the debates?

[NYC Liberal]

Romney is not an idiot like Bush was, that's for sure. His problem isn't that he's dumb; it's that he has to lie to appeal to anyone but the richest 1%. No one has a good enough memory to keep up as many lies as Romney has to. When he's honest about his toxic, dumbass policies (see: the "47% video&quot , even the average Republican voter is turned off.

Given that Romney hasn't been able to go more than a few weeks since about June without insulting someone or saying/doing something really stupid, does anyone believe he won't say something idiotic during one of the debates? Yes, he's smart. And yes he's a decent debater. But when Romney is unscripted, he says some really stupid shit.

Also, Romney is horribly unlikeable. Even if he does hold his own without any gaffes, so will Obama. So that being equal, it will come down to a charistmatic, personable Obama vs a stiff, robotic Romney.

[randome]

1. There is only one piece of advice to give Romney.

"Serpentine! Serpentine!"

[RichGirl]

2. Trying to put my finger on why he is so unappealing....

I think he's confused as to the appropriate behavior of a presidential candidate. Should he be serious and presidential or goofy and endearing to appeal to us underlings...what to do. He comes off as phony.

[Jennicut]

5. He is not natural around people. I think in a debate he may be better.

It is when he has to be informal and casual with everyday people that he does not know how to act "real". Is it social awkwardness or total insulation in a bubble where the little people don't have to be interacted with? Maybe it is both.

[byeya]

3. I think he will be so primed that he will be more wooden than usual and being anxious

to land his "zingers", he slip one or more in at inappropriate moments.

President Obama will appear relaxed and knowledgable.

[treestar]

4. He was not likable debating the other Rs

That condescending laugh! That attitude was unattractive when he's using it on Newt Gringich. It will make him look like a total jerk when used on the President.

[NYC Liberal]

7. And he really only won because he had the backing of the party establishment,

plus as bad as he is, he still looked better than the other clowns. So it really was only relative.

One-on-one, Romney will not look so great.

[EC]

6. He actually believes his lies, because his staff

tells him they are true. So I fully expect him to arrogantly bring up one and assert that Obama is lying about it and Obama will show him that no, he is the one that has it wrong. He'll have a melt down and loose it. I've noticed he gets really testy and very unlikeable when he's miffed.

[Live and Learn]

8. I take issue with your statement that 'Romney is not an idiot like Bush was'

I bet even Bush knows why windows in jet planes don't roll down. Stealing money from corporations (and other people) does not make one smart, just evil. Having no conscience makes it much easier to get rich. It has little to do with intelligence.

Exactly what evidence do we have that Romney is intelligent?

[HopeHoops]

9. This is a joke, right? Of COURSE he'll say something stupid. Even with the lump in his back.