Actually, I think the debates will be fairly dull events.....

[RagAss]

Strategically, Mitt will need to move to the center and keep himself just a few clicks to the right of the President. It really is his only hope, given the way he has hung himself out to dry - over the cliff in RW Nutterville.

Your thoughts?

[KarenS]

1. I think it depends on what you're looking for,,,,

personally, I like to see self-important blowhards like Rmoney get their clock cleaned by someone that knows what they're talking about on national teevee but that's just me.

[Curtland1015]

2. I agree that that would be Romney's best strategy, but if I've learned one thing about Mitt...

...over the past year, it's that he doesn't always follow the smartest course of action.

I'm hoping he comes out full of bluster and indignation.

[DontTreadOnMe]

3. I think both Romney and Ryan will be caught in lies

I expect Obama and Biden to call them out on many of the statements they have made. It will be deer in headlight type moments. I expect both Repugs to "ignore" the calling out, and have pre-canned statements to change the subject. It will come down to the moderators to see if they are allowed to skip answering the questions.

I fully expect Obama to ask where are Mitt's tax returns. If Obama DOES NOT attack Mitt on his tax returns, I will be extremely disappointed. This is war.. and I expect bombs to be thrown at Mitt. If Obama just plays nice to Mitt, it will be a disaster for the Dems.

I want to see a LARGE SPINE coming from the Dems. Time to drown these Teabaggers. A crushing defeat at the debates will affect local elections as well. I want Obama to paint the entire Repug party as extremists.

You KNOW Ryan and Rmoney will be going on the attack... like dogs.

There is no compromise in a debate.

[Freddie]

7. "Pre-canned statements"

Yes, that will be their strategy. Like Ms. Palin, who did not actually answer any of the questions but threw out her memorized talking points at the right moments. Romney has proven already he can't think on his feet and is guaranteed to say at least one really stupid or clueless thing. Ryan is sharper but he will come across as cold and calculating next to our sweet (and smarter) Joe.

[outsideworld]

12. I didnt watch the 2008 debates

but like you said .I hope obama comes down Hard Very Hard.No time to play nice .

[lunatica]

4. Actually I think he's so ignorant of the facts that it

doesn't matter where he moves. He can only speak in sound bites and platitudes just like always. President Obama will give substantive answers with facts and figures and Romney will say a great deal of nothing just like he always does.

And if he comes up with any intelligent and informed information I would look for electronic buds in his ears.

[former-republican]

5. It better not be dull

I took the night off from work to watch it and be able to post here.




I want to see Romney destroyed

[Drahthaardogs]

6. They are negotiated to be nothing more than a modified campaign speech.

In the modern debates the candidates are not even allowed to engage one and other. Bullshit going through the motions is all it is.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. Both will be speaking to their bases and focusing on not making mistakes

and not so much on changing minds

[nevergiveup]

9. They are not really debates.

They are glorified controlled discussions. Not much will happen other than the media saying Romney exceeded expectations and looked presidential.

[gulliver]

10. Romney and Ryan will set records for gaffes and lies

Romney already pathetically said that Obama would be "saying things that aren't true." That's Romney's way of trying to keep the few people who still look at him with respect under pie-eyed sedation. "Now Ms. Fernstein, when your mean brother tries to tell you I won't invest your money wisely, you just remember he's lying to you. Oh, and can I get that check we talked about?"

Romney is completely unused to people talking back to him. And Ryan thinks that gulling his idiot Republican colleagues into thinking he is a genius makes him a genius. These two frauds are the fruit of the Republican tree. They won't be able to stop themselves. They'll both get irresistible inspirations at the lectern, and they'll show the world who they are.

[HopeHoops]

11. I'll wait for the highlights reel.

[Nye Bevan]

13. I'm looking forward to seeing Mitt stammer and stutter

when someone with a pre-existing medical condition asks why he will allow insurers to deny them coverage.

[Johonny]

14. I think the only interesting thing that could happen is

if the president uses them to attack congress. I think Romney has little chance to distance himself from the president, but the president has a chance to make a broader statement about the current operation or lack there of of the Republican house. The president doesn't so much have to debate Romney at the moment as Romney is losing, but he does need to do something to redefine the broader election if he wants to actually do something in his second term. Obama has so far played the reelection campaign very conservatively and thus I do not expect him to use the debates to hang the Republican house around Mitt Romney. Although it would make for interesting watching...

[CTyankee]

15. You make a very good point.

I think Mitt's debating skills have been vastly overrated. His "debates" with members of the GOP Clown Car during the primaries were like comedy routines. Up against Barack Obama, well, that's a whole different ball game.