Can the Debates Decide the Election?

Reagan did this better than anybody I've ever seen, or heard. When I think of great debate moments, this is what I think of.  I simply cannot wait to see Obama and Romney debate, because they are so much alike in the sense they get frustrated when called out, but have a good grasp on policy. 


So far this years presidential race has been very close, with one of the candidates out front by a few percentage points, well within the margin of error.  Because it is such a close race, this could heighten the importance of good debate performances.  Conservatives resoundingly feel that John McCain had his butt handed to him by Obama in 2008.  However, in 2008, everyone was talking about what McCain cannot say.
 
This is a different year, and this race is going to be about the presidents record.  If Romney can stick to his talking points that Obama is a wonderful person, but has limited grasp on the working of the free market, then he will be fine.  If Romney allows Obama to turn the debates into a answering session about his own record, then Obama will have been let off the hook.  In 2008, McCain had to answer for the last 8 years under George W. Bush. This is not a problem Romney should have, if he is skilled enough to do what Reagan did in the video above, then Obama will be hard pressed to turn this is to a choice election.  


The hope is Romney is able to keep turning the discussion back towards Obama's record as president.  Obama will likely have the media helping him by asking question that favor the presidents argument.  Romney is going to have to anticipate these questions, and then quickly revert them back towards the last four years under  President Obama's leadership.  One thing Romney can do is take notes on how Bill Clinton is making life hard on Obama.