Correct! And I agree with all that you said when it comes down to the time any GOP candidate faces Obama. When the debates take place between Obama and whoever is the Republican selected our guy better be able to hold his own. That is what will count to most Americans who don't really follow politics, or have don't any serious interest in a candidates background.
One of Obama's main traits that gave him the election was that he was able to win over voters mostly because of his sharp tongue, his quick quips - basically, his ridicule tactics. In the debates he made people laugh at McCain, who looked like the slow, dull, old guy who couldn't think on his feet. Obama is not that smart, and he is lazy, and he had no experience...but he was and is an arrogant flame-thrower who then and now appeals to his base by being continually critical and caustic with an air of superiority and a snide, sickening smile and chuckle.
The GOP candidate HAS to be able to fend off/put down those sarcastic comments Obama makes and will make against any opponent. Unfortunately, with the type of supporters Obama appeals to, all that is important to them is seeing Obama "bi*ch slap" an opponent, like some hyped-up, gang member on a street corner.
Our country is being run by someone who is not good at anything except being good at ridicule (which is so typical of a narcissistic person who has no capabilities of his own). He can only make himself look good by making others the target of his zingers. For those who vote based on that type of performance there is only one - Newt Gingrich - who can match Obama in a debate.
We all know that Gingrich is far superior to Obama in leadership skills, knowledge of world affairs, business and commerce, and an understanding of our Republic and American principles. But when those debates are televised if the GOP candidate can't return and deflect Obama's quips and make a clever comment and sound bite that will resonate with people who want entertainment...then we are lost, and those people on the fence will vote for Obama again. I don't see anyone capable of sparring with and scarring the Obama image except Newt. Unfortunately , no matter how well qualified our candidate is, what will impress most of the public who don't do any research and who cast their votes based mainly on the face-to-face sparring of the debates will be the deciding factor.
Newt has the only ability to quickly and cleverly respond to the sharp tongued wisecracks and tactics of the kid in the White House who only knows how to perform for audiences. Obama debates and campaigns like a street-fighter. He is the bully who picks on anyone more intelligent and qualified than himself in order to deflect anyone's thoughts that he is really a shallow, absolute con-artist who would have made a better commedian or clown than a politician and, certainly, a president.
The man is supremely unlikeable, nasty, arrogant, on top of being a sore loser, smarty-pants elitist, and that will come out in the debates, should he be nominated. Game over. Americans might have serious concerns about Obama’s leadership potential but they need to like their presidents and despite the policies, remain loyal to the president as a good guy on a personal level. Newt ... This is a fool’s game.
Which is why it would be very difficult for Obama to criticize Huntsman in the way that some may see as necessary or argue that he will not lead the country in the right direction since it was Obama himself who appointed him to perhaps the most important diplomatic position in US foreign policy. It neutralizes his preferred campaign tactic of negative character assassination like nothing else. Obama’s team knew the danger Huntsman could bring to a second term and clearly wanted him otherwise occupied.
So I still don’t know how you get around Huntsman as the best candidate. He is conservative but doesn’t turn off independent voters. He has the right proposals, policy, record and temperament to be president. Hopefully voters in these early starts are starting to take a hard look at what they are about to do.
Newt is pretty fast on his feet. Did you see this exchange at one of the recent debates? Impressive!
“I spent my life in the private sector,” Romney said. “I understand how the economy works. I believe for Americans to say goodbye to President Obama and elect a Republican; they need to have confidence the person they’re electing knows how to make this economy work again and create jobs for the American middle class.”
Shrewd as ever, Gingrich responded “Let’s be candid, the only reason you didn’t become a career politician is you lost to Teddy Kennedy in 1994.”