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I agree with you on the shallow narrow politics of the moment, but I profoundly disagree on the bigger picture. Just like the economy in the ditch, the causes are all liberal and the solutions all conservative. When we ignore these truths in an attempt to sneak through a debate, we weaken our ability to actually correct the problems in the long run. It was Bush Cheney Rumsfeld conservatism that led to Osama’s killing, period. Obama liberalism stood in the way, before he finally carried it out. Truth matters.But yes, you did point out the purely political calculations Mitt made.

Gosh - almost like putting a bag of dog crap on a porch, lighting it and ringing the doorbell. If Mitt had changed the tune to talking about the Bush-Cheney conservatism that led upt to Osama's demise, it would have been a disaster - truth be damned. Mitt understands that and his folks understand how to best try to oust Zero. "Sneaking" through a debate laden with land mines would seem to be the smart way to go unless you're a Thelma and Louise type...

Oh, on that you and I agree. But we are in this situation because we are ALWAYS fighting these fights in the short run, and taking the expedient way out. Bush made his own name toxic by never fighting back. He made Cheney and Rumsfeld toxic for the same reasons. That went on for 8 years. You are right, no time to reverse that in one debate. But why are we here in the first place? Wimpy short term thinking to win the friggin moderates.

But that’s the problem. At some point, we must stand up for the truth and take the short term slings and arrows. Reagan did in 79-80 and Newt did in 94. (yes, newt succombed in 95-96 but that’s another story). Both Reagan’s win and Newt’s win (Congress turn over) led to some damned good governing.