Those who laughs last laughs longest

[madokie]

Having said that. Could it be that the President gave the first debate to rMoney to set him up for what we all know could be a good shellacking by the President tonight

[dennis4868]

1. No

[Ninga]

2. Yep, for all we know he could. In fact I expect him to. My biggest concern isn't that the

President won't rise to the occassion.....he will and he will be pitch perfect.

My biggest concern is.....will it help.

[GoCubsGo]

3. Maybe.

But, given the spontaneous nature of the "town hall" format, I think Willard may shellack himself tonight, regardless of whether or not he was set up for it. This is a guy who prepared for the first debate by practicing "zingers", after all. Also, he got away with stomping all over the moderator in that debate. However, tonight, he also has the unwashed masses...errr....citizens asking questions with whom to contend. He won't get away with that Palinesque "I'm not going to answer your question. I answer the question I want to answer." bullshit. If he does, he'll come off as the bully he is.

[Lint Head]

4. I give Obama credit. I think it was a set up. Debates are not a football game where you need to

be an undefeated winner. It's not a 'total' setup. When you look at strategy you consider all angles and outcomes. Exploring all aspects of the direction a debate can take. Preparing for the alternative is nothing more than good political planning. It's called decreasing the odds against you.
It's also called chess not checkers. I think Obama will clean more clock than Biden. For people to say he is not a good debater is just what you want to opposition and his supporters to believe. I've heard that over and over in the media lately. At first the media said "All politicians play down their ability to win a debate. That lowers expectations." Since the first debate the media and political pundits say, "Obama is just not a good debater." Hook line and sinker. Now they believe their own meme and Obama goes in as the true underdog.
It's human nature to pull for the underdog. There's more to this and those that dismiss it will be licking their wounds. Campaign advisers make their money and smart ones win. I think the I.Q. quotient is on Obama's side when it comes to political gamesmanship.

[On the Road]

5. While It is True

that he who laughs last laughs longest, he may also get the reputation for being a little slow on the uptake.