Had the first presidential debate been my first exposure to Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, I would have probably been swayed toward Mitt Romney. He was well prepared, sure of himself, and showed great concern for middle-class America. Barack Obama appeared nervous, intimidated, and ill-prepared.
But I have been exposed to both candidates before… and know better.
Mitt Romney put on a good show of his earnest compassion for middle-class America. From taxes to healthcare to unemployment, under his plan the middle-class would be better off than ever before. He assured us that we would pay lower taxes, have abundant health care, and there would be jobs for all. And all the while, slamming Barack Obama’s dismal contributions to those who need it most. Mr. Romney’s apparent concern for us created a much more compassionate and moderate Mitt Romney than ever seen before. It was a very well-staged and deliberate show.
But it was just that… a show and deliberate misdirection.
Mitt Romney made several comments that made me tilt my head and squint my eyes. Here are just a few:
“We’ve got 23 million people out of work or [who have] stopped looking for work in this country.” Mitt is counting folks that are no longer looking for work and 8 million people working part-time by choice. The official figure is 12.5 million, very bad, but not 23 million bad.
“I will not reduce the taxes paid by high-income Americans.” This comment just makes me suspicious. He said he’d close loopholes, but refuses to tell us what loopholes. My first thoughts were about his tax sheltered off-shore accounts and the fact that Mr. Romney himself must use those very loopholes to his own advantage. BTW, his proposal to eliminate the estate tax would reduce his own sons’ tax burden by tens of millions of dollars.
“Pre-existing conditions are covered under my plan.” This is just false or at the least very misleading. Romney’s own top advisor, Eric Fehrnstrom, attempted to defend Romney’s comment after the debate. “With respect to pre-existing conditions, what Governor Romney has said is for those with continuous coverage, he would continue to make sure that they receive their coverage,” said Eric Fehrnstrom, referring to existing laws which require insurance companies to sell coverage to people who already have insurance, or within 90 days of losing their employer coverage. People who cannot get insurance because of pre-existing conditions will have to rely upon their states to implement their own laws that ban insurance companies from discriminating against sick people.
In my opinion, Barack Obama appeared weak and unable to succinctly respond to Mitt Romney’s claims. In a purely theatrical observation, Romney looked his opponent straight in the eyes, Obama appeared to be looking down or away from Romney a majority of the time. Unfortunately for Barack Obama, theatrics count. My hope is that it was somehow part of his strategy and he’ll come out swinging in the next debate. Although his bluffing has been convincing, Mitt Romney spread his cards on the table and exposed a lot about himself. In that respect, President Obama won the hand and now needs to capitalize.