Sunshine On His Face - Romney Wins the Debate

Years ago, before Chris Matthews lost his mind, he was a fairly decent political analyst.  I remember his analysis about why one candidate or another might be favored to win the Presidency.  It was simple, he said, which candidate do you imagine as the one with the sunshine on his face?  That candidate will win.  He was thinking of Ronald Reagan, of course, but the opposite also applied.  Gloomy Guses such as Dukakis, Mondale and Dole were doomed in this analysis.  I didn't watch all of tonight's debate because of work related matters; and some of what I watched, I could only hear the tone and watch the body language of the candidates.  Romney clearly won the sunshine contest and therefore the debate.  Obama's facial expressions appeared abnormal, he seemed a bit hunched over; Romney looked happy and confident, like the lucky and blessed man that he is.  Americans may love an underdog, but they don't love a hangdog.

Obama interrupted, appeared petulant and attacked Romney when serious answer was called for.  He seemed the challenger, and not equal to the task.  I haven't looked at any polls, but I am certain this debate will help Romney in the polls. He severely wrong-footed Obama again, this time with a smooth, non-combative performance that hit Obama in ways he didn't appear to expect.  The President, fighting the last debate, appeared combative and personal when the subject matter and the setting didn't call for it.

Now I'll go check the spin.

Romney-Obama Debate Caption Contest

Quick caption contest for some post-debate fun.  Mrs. Daddy's contribution follows:

Obama: Did somebody fart? 

Romney: Yeah, that was you, buddy.

Republican Debate - A Little Late

I listened to portions of a rerun of last week's debate in Greenville, SC on Fox. I have to give Fox credit for asking tough questions. I listened with an ear to Tea Party issues. I had issues with every candidate, but I especially took exception with the way Pawlenty often did not really answer questions. There is much to like about him as a potential candidate, but I didn't believe he acquitted himself well.

As usual, Ron Paul makes the most sense, but I took exception to his calling Guantanamo a "secret military prison." I agree that we need to get on with trials, because it hurts our national interest to keep detainees locked up indefinitely. He still comes across as a crank.

Herman Cain was very charismatic, but his call for energy independence doesn't resonate with me. It is rhetoric from the Carter era. He talked in generalities on Mideast policy issues. I like his support for eliminating both the payroll and income taxes. It would be good for the party if he picks up support.

Governor Gary Johnson talked about immigration sensibly and said we need to make sure that it is easier to get a work visa. I like that he recognizes the root cause of the problem to be economic. But he fails to recognize the need to secure the border, which is the necessary condition for other reforms. Why can't we discuss that it is more humane for the country to get the border secured.