I suspect he played it safe in the last weeks in order to avoid losing a lead that he never actually had.
He seems to have spent the last six weeks of the campaign looking presidential and coasting to “victory”. If he realized he was losing, he might have been more aggressive—hit hard on Libya, etc. And he probably would have spent less effort mandate hunting (by winning PA, WI, etc) and more time focusing on states he needed to win.
That’s a good point, very good point. You have me reconsidering now....
Back to your point... Looking back to the third debate.. Romney was acting like the quarterback that was up by a touchdown in the final two minutes, and taking kneeldowns...