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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWillard ain't got a Soul
Podium rocks in the crowded waves.
The speaker talks of the beautiful saves
That went down long before he played this role
For the hotel queens and the magazines,
Test tube genes and slot machines
Where even Richard Nixon has got soul.
Even Richard Nixon has got it, soul.
Hospitals have made him cry,
But there`s always a free way in his eye,
Though his beach just got too crowded for his stroll.
Roads stretch out like healthy veins,
And wild gift horses strain the reins,
Where even Richard Nixon has got soul.
Even Richard Nixon has got soul.
I am a lonely visitor.
I came to late to cause a stir,
Though I campaigned all my life towards that goal.
-- Neal Young; Campaigner
Tonights debate between President Obama and Willard Romney can be regarded as the rubber match, to decide the one-to-one split thus far. Although Romney lied virtually every time he spoke in Debate #1, he was given credit for a victory. Barack Obama then thrashed Willard in the next contest. Because tonights debate is supposed to focus on foreign policy -- and Romneys experience is limited to friendly financial dealings with the most brutal, vicious of El Salvadors leaders, sending US jobs to foreign lands, and investing his profits off-shore -- we can expect him to actually lie even more tonight. In fact, it is impossible for Willard Romney to tell the truth, because he is a lie. And he doesnt even have a soul.
Thus, I thought it might be interesting to consider two questions: (1) What can we expect from President Obama tonight ?; and (2) What do we wish President Obama would say or do? I am hoping that a wide range of forum participants will take the time to answer both of these questions today, not because Im authoring the OP, but because I think that there might be both value and entertainment if a good discussion follows. Here is my opinion.
#1: As always, a campaign has three groups to consider. The first is its base, or those who will generally be in agreement with your campaign on most issues. The second is the opposition, which can be counted on to disagree with most things from your campaign. And third is the undecided.
As a general rule, a campaign should motivate the base; not stir up and energize the opposition; and appeal to the undecided, especially in a close election contest. A good example of this balance is found in President Obamas performance at the second debate. Because of the wide-spread perception that Romney won the first debate -- no matter if we agree with that or not -- it was essential for President Obama to appeal to his base. He did. But he didnt strike any hornets nests, to provide the opposition with something to use against him. And he presented solid reasons for any sincere undecided voters to support him.
This doesnt imply that he can merely have a repeat performance. The Romney camp will surely be looking to reach new lows, and Obama must be fully prepared for each new lie that Willard spouts. And that brings us to question #2.
A lot of good people, both on this forum and beyond, would like President Obama to say that Willard is a liar. This includes many who want the President to use that word -- liar. The reason that he will not use that word are found in each of the three groups. First, it would energize the opposition; the corporate media would definitely add fuel to the fire, and fan the flames up until Election Day. Second, that would result in the undecided leaning towards Romney. And third, it would force the base to waste time by responding to the controversy.
Instead, what I hope to see is President Obama exposing Romneys errors in such a way that it appeals to the entire audience to decide if Romney is a pathological liar, or just a dangerously ignorant damned fool. That energizes the base, by allowing them to exercise control over the post-debate discussions. Why is Romney saying these things? Is he purposely fronting for the neoconservative war party? Is he that stupid? Or a combination of both?
It also appeals to the undecided voters. And it does more: it forces the republican voters, especially the republican women, to evaluate if they can actually vote for Romney. Im not concerned about what they may say in public, or how they respond to poll-takers. What matters is how they vote. And I can say that the two registered republicans that I talk to about politics the most have decided to vote for President Obama. They know that Willard Romney aint got a soul.
What do you think will happen tonight?
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)obama will score points every time mittens blinks. decision to obama.
mittens has to be one of soulless people i`ve ever seen on the public stage.
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)I think Romney will be blinking quite a bit, with what the President will be firing at him.
bigtree
(85,919 posts)and the President will pounce
k&r
And after the overreach and pounce, we can expect Willard to do a freak show. He will almost certainly lose self-control, and demand/beg for help.
Gregorian
(23,867 posts)Regardless of what Romney does during the debate I believe the only things Obama can use are the things he has done, and the things that are the truth. He has the ability to say these things in a way that is effective. As I've been saying all along, as we focus on these two people, it's those who vote who are going to have the impact on where this nation goes. Those people are the undecideds and the Republicans. I don't know what it takes to be undecided in such an obvious situation as this. It doesn't speak well for the mental well being of those who are undecided. But miracles do happen.
In a nutshell I think Obama's cool behavior is what has won him over. And it may very well be that he will come out tonight with some ways of getting Romney to lose his cool. That may be how the undecideds become "decideds".
It really boils down to everyone but the base seeing what a fraud Romney really is.
By the way, I really appreciate your logical paragraph on lies. Most enlightening.
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)I think that 90% of republicans who are determined to vote against President Obama are doing so, despite Romney being their candidate. I don't think that there is a huge good feeling about Willard as a person.
One of my medical providers and I discuss politics fairly often. He is a registered republican. But he holds Willard in utter contempt, and views the Tea Party as dangerous. He told me that he has been urging his family members to join him in voting for President Obama.
And I have a young friend who calls himself a "Rockefeller republican." I've met his father, and am inclined to think that the old man molded my friend's thinking. But he will definitely be voting for the President's re-election.
Although this is based upon only two individuals, I am convinced that there will be a segment of republicans who will not be able to vote for Romney.
Gregorian
(23,867 posts)I grew up next door to someone who is one of those rare individuals. He hung out with JFK when he was at Harvard getting a degree in architecture. He's pretty old. I called him today after at least ten years. I remember him chastising me as a youngster for wearing a Bob Dole sweatshirt I had bought in a second hand store because it was only a dollar. We talked about how insane the world is getting, from just an architectural standpoint.
At any rate I called to see what he was thinking. He said that Romney doesn't even flinch when hit with the truth. It's hard to imagine how Obama will be able to get him off balance. What I found interesting is that he calls Romney a "comedian".
He shares my sense that as we look upon these two candidates on the stage, there is another perspective in the opposite direction. I keep wishing there could be some kind of dialogue regarding the quality of voters in this country. It's not unique, but we are unique in the sense that we are a democracy with freedom of speech. Regardless of who "wins" the debate tonight, the quality of those who vote is so low that I fear we may not get the House. And I fear for four years from now.
What will it take to turn this country around? Election reform, universal education for all, rebuilding of the Fourth Estate. And many years of work.
Having said that, I think Obama's magic is in his patience and forgiveness. Even Republicans can see beyond their blind subconscious reality to discover the attraction of his goodness. We hear the stories, including yours. It is heartening.
There is so much to say. But to even stay partly on topic I'll refrain for now.
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)President Obama played Willard on the issue of what he (Obama) said in the Rose Garden on 9-11-12. That was Romney off-balance.
Several times during the primaries, there were other entertaining examples. Mitt begging the moderator for help. Mitt offering a $10,000 bet.
While I agree in large part that Romney generally appears devoid of true emotion when challenged by an opponent, I know that this is a mere mask. He is a petty man.
I look forward to talking with you more after the debate!
GeorgeGist
(25,294 posts)H2O Man
(73,333 posts)After the election, when he no longer poses the same level of danger to the general public, I will feel sorry for him -- not because he lost again, but because he is himself.
DollarBillHines
(1,922 posts)Romney will lie at every turn.
Lying for the Lord is a basic tenet of his cult.
Google "Lying for the Lord", it is an interesting concept.
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)Romney lacks the capacity to tell the truth.
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)I'm sure may Republicans realize it, too. After all, their own Republican candidates like Gingrich and Perry told Romney he was a liar to his face on national television. What's scary is that they're ready to vote for someone completely unpredictable, unreliable, and out only for himself.
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)When I look at Willard Mitt Romney, I see a person who not only lacks a life force, but who advocates for the suffering and death of others.
coeur_de_lion
(3,666 posts)I might destroy the TV if I do. But I am praying as hard as anyone can.
For our President to show up strong and DEFEAT this a** -- with dignity.
He won't need a soul where he is going.
I want the whole country to see him as I do. That is my prayer tonight.