Did He Do What Needed to be Done

In last night’s first presidential debate of 2012 nothing had the dramatic impact of Ronald Reagan’s spontaneous and memorable quips, “There you go again!” when attacked by Jimmy Carter in 1980 and in 1984, when asked about his age by an obviously mature and experienced Walter Mondale, he replied naturally, “I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” Nothing had the visual impact of a haggard looking Nixon with poor makeup next to the Hollywood good looks of John Kennedy.  And neither politician made a mistake as bad as Ford forgetting that Eastern Europe was under Soviet domination.

Nothing as dramatic as in these game changing debates however, Mitt Romney did do what needed to be done.  He came out swinging and he didn’t stop until the bell rang.

Immediately after the debate Neil Cavuto, in my opinion one of the best anchors on TV, called it a draw and quipped that draws always go to the champ, meaning that Obama came off with a TKO. 

On the Networks usually devoted to advancing the agenda of the Democratic Party however it was different story.  The Progressive media was wringing its hands over Mr. Obama’s lackluster performance.  And a CNN poll conducted Wednesday night found that 75% of people thought Romney had won the debate.  Even in California, the bluest of blue states the plurality of those watching thought Romney won.  Most telling of all Chris Matthews, the MSNBC anchor who is famous for the thrill running up his leg when he listens to Obama said, "I don't know what he was doing out there. He had his head down, he was enduring the debate rather than fighting it. Romney, on the other hand, came in with a campaign. He had a plan, he was going to dominate the time, he was going to be aggressive, he was going to push the moderator around, which he did effectively, he was going to relish the evening, enjoying it,"

When your opponents say they believe they lost you might as well claim it as a win.  Romney may not have convinced conservatives that he is the reincarnation of Ronald Reagan and they may still have to close their eyes or hold their nose when they vote for him at least he might have opened a window to defeat the Progressives’ fearless leader and at least slow down America’s bullet train to bankruptcy.  With a delay we may be able to turn this train around and head back to limited government, individual liberty and economic freedom.

Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion.  He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com © 2012 Robert R. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com  Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens