Why Romney Won the First Debate

Townhall.com ^ | October 7, 2012 | Mark Baisley

[Kaslin]

Jim Lehrer was effective in one area as the moderator of the first Presidential Debate of 2012.  That is, he convinced the audience to not be a factor by remaining generally quiet.  While he was not very effective in controlling the candidates, Lehrer’s style seemed to work out well in facilitating his primary goal of drawing out ideological contrasts.

Even staunch Barack Obama disciples evaluate the first presidential debate as a solid win for Mitt Romney.  When the late night talk shows all make jokes about the poor performance by their hero, you know there is a consensus.

It is my analysis that the three reasons for the Romney victory are (1) the split-screen comparison of body language, (2) consistently strong wrap-up statements by Romney on each topic, and (3) believable sentiments by Romney versus political rhetoric by Obama.

The debate was captured in two perspectives with four generally stationery cameras; the broad stage, a rear-view, a close-up of Romney and a close-up of Obama.  If you look at a broadcast of the switched-angle (see http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Switche), Romney will appear to have provided the better performance.  However, if you watch the split-screen perspective (see http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/SplitSc), the comparative body language conveys an astonishing Romney victory.

Beginning at about 23 minutes into the debate, Mitt Romney begins to school Barack Obama.  And the President responds, with nods and responses in agreement, including small words like, “OK.”  Romney speaks directly to Obama with strong, but respectful self-assurance.  The President primarily looks down or directly at Romney for the remainder of the debate, receiving his scolding with a comportment that can best be described as submissive.  The side-by-side video conveys a very uncomfortable and weak staging for Barack Obama.  The rear-view of the candidates also revealed a subtle but telling difference of the President with one leg bent compared to the Governor’s tall and confident posture.

The second area was either superior preparation, excellent debating skill or fortunate timing for Mitt Romney.  Time after time, the President would make a statement that would be refuted effectively by the Governor as the concluding assertion on the matter.  When comparing their medicare plans, Romney ended the topic with a positive statement about the citizens’ ability to choose.  On the impacts of Dodd-Frank, Romney ended with empathizing with people finding good jobs and affording their homes.  When discussing the proper role of the federal government, Romney ended with the memorable line that Obama’s approach includes “whisking away the Tenth Amendment.”  And when Obama used the Cleveland Clinic to make a point for government health care, Romney trumped that discussion with the same Cleveland Clinic as an example of successful private industry.

Barack Obama never seemed to have a come-back.

But landing the most blows does not by itself win over the undecided.  Where Romney captured the hearts of undecided and Republican-base voters alike was his empathetic connection.  It began in the final segment before the closing statements when the Governor recited America’s founding principles from the Declaration of Independence.  He used the words heart, freedom, and dreams.  “We are a nation that believes that we are all children of the same God. and we care for those who have difficulties.”

Conservatives responded specifically to Romney speaking these words (without teleprompter), “We also believe in maintaining for individuals the right to pursue their dreams and not to have the government substitute itself for the rights of free individuals.  And, what we are seeing right now is, in my view, a trickle down government approach which has government thinking it can do a better job than free people pursuing their dreams.  And it’s not working.  And the proof of that is 23 million people out of work.  The proof of that is one out of six people in poverty.   The proof of that is we’ve gone from 32 million on food stamps to 47 million on food stamps.  The proof of that is that 50% of college graduates this year can’t find work.  We know that the path we are taking is not working.  It’s time for a new path.”

The knockout blow happened right after Obama took a strong swipe at Romney’s chin and missed.  The President repeated his class-warfare campaign commercial about tax breaks for oil companies.  Romney responded with, “You make a very good point which is, the place you put your money makes a pretty clear indication of where your heart is.  You put Ninety Billion Dollars into green jobs.  And, look, I’m all in favor of green energy.  Ninety Billion; That would have hired two million teachers.  Ninety Billion Dollars.”

The “undecided” debate viewers will take from this exchange a stark contrast between Obama’s utopian world of forced healthcare bureaucracy and unviable energy sources against Romney’s empathizing with families, individuals and small businesses who are suffering in the Democratic Party’s economic mess.

Tune in again this Thursday, October 11, when the Republican Party brings out its secret weapon at the Vice President debate; Joe Biden!

[MuttTheHoople]

I look at Presidential candidates politely doing what the Moderator tells them to do as a sign of weakness. The debate is about the candidates, NOT the moderator.

[knarf]

Romney's facial expressions, stance, firm responses, etc., are the RESULT and EVIDENCE of a life long cultivation of American CORE VALUES.

That is the one thing we here in FreeRepublic center on day in and day out, over and over again.

We may use words like patriot, but what we mean is ... something inside that is uniqely American.

I won't repeat how I get there, but the fact of the matter is,; there is NOTHING AMERICAN in or about zero.

THAT'S why I call him zero ... 'cause he jus' AIN'T.

[onevoter]

As pointed out on another blog, it is interesting that Saturday night live will parody MSNBC having a melt down over Obama’s poor performance in the debate but they refuse to parody Obama, himself. If any other candidate had bumbled the way Obama did, Saturday night would have been all over it. We have reached a frightening point in our society when it appears that many outlets are afraid to point out any flaws in “The One” for fear of reprisals.

While I concede that the media IS the liberal establishment, it seems that even when they touch on his failures, they tend to pussy-foot around the subject rather than calling him out the way they would any President before him - including the Clintons. While the press went non-stop about Monica Lewinsky (even in defensive mode) they won’t even touch an Obama scandal. This very likely has more to do with threats from the administration than what would appear to be total ignorance on the part of the press. Just saying . . . .

[Tax-chick]

The debate is about the candidates, NOT the moderator.

True. However, following the pre-arranged rules of the debate indicates respect for the process and for the voters, who want to hear the candidates explain their positions in an organized way. Not following the format is a sign that the candidate is an immature, narcissistic twerp who thinks rules are for other people.

[rawcatslyentist]

I am waiting for the story line of, Poor poor wacky, he’s been suffering in silence with a painful debilitating diease/condition, and the ebil rethugs have been mean and taken advantage of him.

[maddog55]

Wow.. a uni-bomber manifesto dissertation breakdown on why Romney one the debate.

4 words sums it up better: Romney was better prepared...

To add color for reading enjoyment: Romney was better prepared. Obama is a narcissistic pig who believes he won regardless.

[Kaslin]

I agree completely especially with the last part.

[Paradox]

Biden could come out looking like a winner, by simply NOT looking too foolish. This could be a trap for Ryan. The expectations for Biden could not be any lower.

[Atlantan]

Interesting that such old moderators have been selected for the debates. Jim Leher is 78 years old. And Bob Schieffer, who will moderate the third Obama/Romney debate, is 75 years old.

[samtheman]

You are so, so right, knarf.

It is the INSIDE of the person that matters.

Romney (regardless of whatever faults some of us perceive in him) is an American through-and-through. Romney is an American INSIDE.

Obama isn’t an American at all. Inside or outside. Definitely not inside. His heart is not with America. His heart is not with the American people. He is foreign-born, foreign-bred, foreign-loyal and foreign-aligned. All the media-cover-up in the universe can’t hide that.

Romney LOVES this country and it’s a love that’s genuine and true.

Obama HATES this country and it’s a hate that can’t be covered up.

[Kaslin]

That arrogant pos thinks he has the election in his pocket. Do you remember the open microphone when he told the Russian President that he could do more for Putin after he is reelected not if he is reelected. The arrogance was clearly visible

[ops33]

Thank you for stating what should be obvious. Liberals are looking for anything to excuse the President’s terrible performance.

[Jonah Vark]

Why Romney won the First Debate?

Simply stated..... OBAMA IS A FRAUD!

The Left were disappointed in Obama’s performance because they were led to believe that he is intelligent and well educated. The truth is that Obama’s best attributes are his voice and his ability to read a teleprompter. And Obama’s greatest accomplishment is the deception of revealing who he really is and his plans to fundamentally transform America.

[Reeses]

the Moderator tells them to do as a sign of weakness.

There were times the moderator fed Barky his lines, and Barky repeated them verbatim as if he was reading his teleprompter. The moderator was putting words in Barky's mouth and the sock puppet happily grabbed onto them. If only the straw-filled president had a brain...

[Sudetenland]

Obama lost, because he really doesn't know anything about the issues. He is nothing but an empty suit with the correct political philosophy for those who are behind him and actually running the country--Jarrett, Soros, Ploufe, and the Chicago cabal.

HIs body language screamed ignorance. Looking down, not at his opponent, the verbal delaying tactics (umm . . . ahh . . . uhh), all of it designed to give him time to think of an appropriate distraction or liberal bromide.

Obama lost because all he knows is the liberal line of lies and BS.

[justlurking]

Biden could come out looking like a winner, by simply NOT looking too foolish. This could be a trap for Ryan. The expectations for Biden could not be any lower.

Biden will probably try to play Reagan to Ryan as Mondale. But, I don't think that will work. The best Biden can do is try to play the friendly grandfather type, making Ryan look "mean" if he criticizes Biden.

I presume that Ryan is prepared for this. If Biden does indeed try to play the "age" card, I think Ryan's best approach would be to phrase his criticisms so they aren't perceived as directed at Biden. Point them at Obama, Pelosi, Reid, the Democrat-controlled Senate, etc. But, not Biden.

When (not if) Biden says something stupid, correct him gently. Romney did the right thing with Obama -- taking him down a couple of notches and puncturing his aura of invincibility was the right thing to do. But, there's no need to do that to Biden. Treat him like the crazy uncle at Thanksgiving dinner.

[rlbedfor]

The moderator will try to hit Ryan at his perceived weak area being foreign policy. They will not go for domestic policy. They need a life line to Biden.

[Lucas McCain]

Didn’t Bob Schieffer moderate the Lincoln/Douglas debates?

[thirst4truth]

At times while Romney was speaking to Obama and Obama was looking down and writing, he looked like he was taking notes like a student.