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Team Romney won't rein in GOP nominee during third debate
The Hill ^ | 10/18/12 | Justin Sink

Posted on 10/18/2012 2:50:36 AM PDT by markomalley

Mitt Romney's campaign indicated Wednesday they have no plans to rein in the GOP nominee during the third and final presidential debate.

Romney's aggressive performance Tuesday night — directly challenging President Obama and quarreling with moderator Candy Crowley — had Democrats and even some Republicans arguing he came across as too assertive, which could turn off undecided voters.

But Team Romney claims their candidate won the night with his argument on core economic issues, which are the leading concern among voters. And Republican strategists say that Romney has more leeway to adopt the role of the antagonist because it's Obama who is so heavily reliant on personal favorability to buoy his poll numbers.

These Republicans go on to suggest that Obama's aggressive posturing — necessitated by a largely listless performance in the first debate — could undermine some of his crucial likability advantage among undecided and swing voters.

But an in-your-face approach is a high-risk strategy, something the GOP acknowledged in the debate aftermath. Karl Rove, former President Bush's top political adviser, told Fox News that Romney "made the mistake of getting a little bit too engaged" with the president throughout the contest.

The biggest stumble, strategists on both sides of the aisle say, was when Romney aggressively went after the president's language on Libya, only to be corrected by moderator Candy Crowley. Although Romney allies have questioned the fairness of Crowley's fact check in the aftermath of the debate, the moment undermined Romney's argument, and left the candidate appearing overly aggressive.

Romney's former debate coach, Bret O'Donnell, told Fox News the candidate "went down the wrong path" when he tried to "litigate out what happened in the Rose Garden." And conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer agreed, saying that in a "tough fight" reminiscent of Frazier-Ali, the president won "on points."

The GOP nominee also seemed, at times, to be unwilling to take direction from Crowley, who at different points asked him to take a seat or stop talking so she could move to the next question — just to see Romney routinely ignore the instruction. The squabble over debate time spilled over into one of his confrontations with Obama, which resulted in Romney snapping at the president at one point: "You’ll get your chance in a moment, I’m still speaking."

Democrats were giddy to pile on, with Obama campaign spokesman Danny Kanner calling Romney's performance "rattled" and "awkward."

"Romney, certainly at moments, was aggressive, and that's been a trait of his in previous debates," said Democratic strategist Doug Thornell. "The difference last night was he came across as kind of irritated and peeved and kind of a bully, and when the president at times punched back I think that really unnerved him."

But a defiant Romney insisted Wednesday that it was the president who was on his heels after failing to articulate an economic vision for his second term.

"I have to be honest with you," Romney said, speaking at a rally in Virginia Beach. "I love these debates. These things are great."

And campaign aides repeatedly pointed to a CNN snap poll conducted shortly after the debate that showed the candidate with a lead on the economy, taxes, and healthcare.

“Gov. Romney won last night's debate because he shared his plan of how he would lead the country to a real recovery and clearly laid out the case why America can’t afford four more years of the last four year,” said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul. “President Obama only had attacks to offer because he has no explanation for the failures of his economic policies or his lack of prescriptions for the future. “

Republicans also noted that the president was combative at times, interrupting Crowley and pointing his finger in Romney’s face. They argue that for a president whose brand is built around uniting the country and maintaining a positive veneer, his debate performance may have seemed jarring.

“His being that assertive obviously fired up his base, but we just don’t know how it played with independent, persuadable voters,” Republican strategist Ford O’Connell said. “We know that when it came to substantive issues like the economy and deficits, Romney came out ahead.”

And Republicans believe Romney has a unique opportunity to correct his misstep on the Libya question in the upcoming foreign policy debate, while knowing that the president is looking to undermine Romney’s argument by claiming that the administration had always considered the attack to be terrorism.

“I think the reason he lost stylistically on Libya was just because of the framework of the argument, meaning that he became somewhat agitated over Obama’s insistence that he did say it was an act of terror,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean.

“Next time, in those heated moments, you just have to be sure to catch your breath and be very careful about what comes next and what’s around the corner. Obama is going to try to trip up Romney again, but he’ll be well prepared.”

Unsurprisingly, Democrats didn't agree that Obama should be concerned about alienating swing voters with his own aggressiveness.

“When Romney plays the role of a bully or is a tough guy and the people on the receiving end kind of let it go, then the reaction from the news media and the viewers is Romney’s tough or the other person is weak,” said Thornell. “When the person on the receiving end punches back harder, then Romney’s bullying ricochets back on himself.”


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: romney
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1 posted on 10/18/2012 2:50:38 AM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley

Good, Romney should eviscerate him on foreign policy.


2 posted on 10/18/2012 2:53:14 AM PDT by TsonicTsunami08
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To: markomalley

Right. democrats “and some Republicans” want to tone Mitt down. Always have to make sure we take advice from the Dems about how to campaign.


3 posted on 10/18/2012 2:53:38 AM PDT by LS ("Castles Made of Sand, Fall in the Sea . . . Eventually (Hendrix))
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To: markomalley

The most concerning thing in the whole article is that Romney still feels the need to campaign in Virginia...


4 posted on 10/18/2012 2:53:45 AM PDT by paul544
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To: markomalley

Where is the barf warning? The author ignored the fact that Romney often needed to be assertive toward the mod because otherwise she would let 0bama start and end all questions.


5 posted on 10/18/2012 2:55:48 AM PDT by paudio (Post-racial society: When we can legitimately hire and fire a Black man without feeling guilty.)
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To: markomalley
...some Republicans arguing he came across as too assertive, which could turn off undecided voters...

Those aren't "some Republicans", they're RINO pinheads.

6 posted on 10/18/2012 2:58:49 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: markomalley
Of course the "Rats" want Romney to tone it down as his refusing to "submit" to the viscious attacks and lies by their Messiah is working.

Nor is it surprising that some Republi-tards are all wee-weed up over Mitten's exerting himself and unwillingness to let O'Bummer get away with his spinning and BS, as the Stoopid Party is filled with girly-guy wusses.

Must admit that I have been pleasantly surprised at Romney's demeanor during the 2 debates as I fully expected him to be another Juan McPain "Nice Guy" and roll over and let Barry walk all over him.

As someone who started out deciding to hold his nose and vote for Mitt I all of a sudden feel better about my decision and am starting to think he actually has a chance.

7 posted on 10/18/2012 3:04:39 AM PDT by neveralib
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To: paul544

If he weren’t people would be worried that he’s given up on VA...


8 posted on 10/18/2012 3:04:39 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: markomalley

Justin Stinks with this article. Romney was too aggressive? Democrat consultants are faulting it? Romney’s playing a risky game? This piece could hardly have been more one-sided!


9 posted on 10/18/2012 3:08:31 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: markomalley
...too assertive...

Can someone please change these folk's diapers, so we can get on with life.

10 posted on 10/18/2012 3:13:58 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (We should ignore the absurd peripheral, and focus on the absurd Obama. People died. He lied!)
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To: markomalley
Romney's former debate coach, Bret O'Donnell, told Fox News the candidate "went down the wrong path"

you don't get the word "former" place in front of your name because your a fighter. When dealing with lying Chicago thugs,it's not time for nice nice. It's people like O'Donnell who would be saying "we did our best" after being defeated

11 posted on 10/18/2012 3:14:03 AM PDT by Doogle ((USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
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To: markomalley
Pundits seem to forget that people tune in to fights—and the more a brawl is anticipated the more people will tune in—the more people tune in the more people will see Romney and the more people see Romney the more they like him and loath Obama REDUCING the effectiveness of Zero's Bully Pulpit, MSM bias and zillions in campaign cash...

If I was Team Romney I would say that Mitt is going to bring a switchblade knife to the debate.

12 posted on 10/18/2012 3:16:13 AM PDT by Happy Rain ("Mitt four then Sarah eight.")
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To: markomalley

Why change tactics when you’re doing well in the polls?

Don’t McCain yourself on the home stretch, Mitt!


13 posted on 10/18/2012 3:18:12 AM PDT by goodolemr
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To: markomalley

I was impressed with Romney not backing away. Gave me a better feeling for the man.


14 posted on 10/18/2012 3:18:51 AM PDT by broken_arrow1 (I regret that I have but one life to give for my country - Nathan Hale "Patriot")
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To: DoughtyOne

Couldn’t help notice that in the two debates between decent candidates and jerks, the two liberal female candidates gave great deference and support to the jerks, while trying to get the decent candidates to be quiet.


15 posted on 10/18/2012 3:26:36 AM PDT by Enterprise ("Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire)
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To: markomalley

Since it’s my future being decided here Mr. Stink, I would prefer that Romney keep the gloves on and keep swinging until the twelfth round is over. I don’t want him to play nice. We’ve had four years of an administration that has been “ridin’ us dirty.” The nation is being run by unknown czars and stupid, fat waddling liberal females.


16 posted on 10/18/2012 3:31:08 AM PDT by Enterprise ("Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire)
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To: markomalley
Romney's former debate coach, Bret O'Donnell, told Fox News the candidate "went down the wrong path" when he tried to "litigate out what happened in the Rose Garden." And conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer agreed, saying that in a "tough fight" reminiscent of Frazier-Ali, the president won "on points."

So, "sneezing" would be outta the question?

Goodness gracious, pansyass republicans that don't know HOW to fight back and worry too much about what democrats and dipshinola's think. Has cow towing to the enemy whim EVER gotten any Republican any where?

I know Romney is a rino, but he has handled himself just fine against the charlatan and the bogus MSM! (They're not even REAL anymore.)

17 posted on 10/18/2012 3:35:44 AM PDT by sirchtruth (Freedom is not free.)
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To: Enterprise

Absolutely! I am so tempted to dissect each of these debates down to the molecular level.


18 posted on 10/18/2012 3:36:15 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (We should ignore the absurd peripheral, and focus on the absurd Obama. People died. He lied!)
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To: Enterprise

“...liberal female candidates (moderators, I think you meant, but I get your point meant and they certainly acted like candidates in not taking a background role) gave great deference and support to the jerks, while trying to get the decent candidates to be quiet..”

Great point - and the liberal young females in their early 20’s (I know because I have daughters that age, although mine are conservative) are the very first to bash men and complain that there are no decent men anymore! They are doing it to themselves AND it deson’t make sense.


19 posted on 10/18/2012 3:47:40 AM PDT by stonehouse01 (Equal rights for unborn women)
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To: markomalley

Good - if your team is up 40 points with 5 minutes to go, then it’s ok to pull back in send in the second/third string.

If you’re team is up 10 points with a full quarter to go, you’d better stay hungry.

Romney’s in the second group...still, and nice to see that they know it.


20 posted on 10/18/2012 3:51:03 AM PDT by BobL (You can live each day only once. You can waste a few, but don't waste too many.)
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