[Pharmboy]

I don't know if you're old enough to remember Ford in the '76 debate stating that Poland wasn't under the Soviet influence (or something like that). That cost him the election, according to many observers at the time.

Look: if Perry is the nominee I will get up early that day and vote for him...no question. BUT, there is NO WAY he will do as well as Romney debating Obummer...and that will mean much to the independents, without whom we cannot win.

[fluffdaddy]

Ford said that Poland was free. He was closing the gap on Carter rapidly before the debate you reference. He continued closing the gap after it. Anyone who said Ford's gaffe had a significant effect on the election was a moron.

Then as now people who talk about politics grossly overestimate the importance of debates. They're entertainment. They are not a serious part of choosing a President. If they were we never would have had Ronald Reagan (who typically turned in fumbling performances and got worse in his last campaign against Mondale).

Debates are football for politics fans. Nothing more. Even if you were right that Romney would show better against Obama in a debate than Perry, it wouldn't matter. And you aren't right.

Romney is smooth. That impresses some observers. It shouldn’t. The smoother Romney gets the more he alienates people. He's been smooth since the beginning of his long, sputtering political career. The more people see him, the less they like him. He can't sell the product; he won't even try to sell the product.

Romney delenda est.