I think unfortunately this format favors Obama. This was the debate where the troll McCain looked like an elderly hobbit next to him, hobbling around the stage.
Though Romney looks and sounds more youthful than his years, he’s got something of a stiff, old-man walk himself.
And of course Obama will have already had Crowley working hard, picking out the best questions for him.
Then there’s the fact that the MSM is especially prepped to declare Obama the big winner. That’s what will both give Obama a boost and boost the ratings for the final debate.
The only thing that works against Barry in this is the structure of short answers. In one or two minutes, he barely gets more than his first three “ah’s” in, let alone comes to any sort of conclusion. Yet, Crowley can’t obviously let him run over time, as the first two moderators did, without it mucking up the format.
Remember....the end justifies the means to these people. All they care about is Obama coming out ahead and they don't care how many rules they have to break to get that result.
This is a setup and an ambush format for Romney. But Romney's camp doesn't have to agree to it. Isn't there anyone in Romney's camp that is looking out for him? Apparently not.
"Yet, Crowley can’t obviously let him run over time, as the first two moderators did, without it mucking up the format."