Long Time No See

Wednesday's Presidential debate was the highest rated presidential debate since the Gipper vs the Peanut Farmer. 67 million Americans skipped church and watched Willard Mitt Romney take President Obama to the woodshed. President Obama's lackluster performance has been blamed on altitude, marijuana, and John Kerry among other things. Basically his debate loss has been blamed on everything but Mitt Romney being a better debater.

President Obama and George W. Bush couldn't be more different when it comes to how they project themselves in public: Bush was folksy, corny, unpolished, an inept; Obama is calm, cool, collected, and wise (except when is isn't..) Obama doesn't go anywhere without a teleprompter and Bush rarely used one. Does that make Bush genuine and Obama fake or does it mean Obama is smart and Bush is dumb? Doesn't matter. In debates, you can't be aided by a teleprompter. Candidates study for days because on the stage all they have is their wits. Plainly stated, Romney outwitted Obama. Who could have guessed this? Jubal Foster.

My pre-debate prediction (which I shared with friends off-line) hinged on Romney's Mormon faith. I am not a Mormon but they do a few things well. They understand the importance of piety, family, faith, and community. One of the things I most admire Mormons for is how they conduct their services. They have no vocational pastors, only elected officials that guide services and their ward (church body). The LDS church has ward zones (think public school zoning) that show Mormons where they must attend. The ward comes together to make decisions and take care of one another. How did I get this far off topic? I need to do another post about Mormons. Anyway, Mormons don't have pastors like protestants do. Each church member is required to give a talk when called upon by their bishop. Some topics are assigned, other times topics are at the discretion of the speaker. Church members are required to give talks in church starting in middle school. Mitt Romney also served a two-year missionary trip where he tried to sell the LDS church on people 24/7/365 x2. Mitt Romney's Mormon upbringing gives him a natural advantage in public speaking and debating.

Mitt Romney was better prepared for the debate and, in turn, won the debate due to his lifetime of public speaking whereas President Obama has crippled himself with his constant use of a teleprompter.

Team Obama Excuses
Smoking weed: maybe but highly doubtful.
Altitude sickness: seriously? Probably the hardest reaching excuse I've seen.
Something else on his mind: could it have been this?
John Kerry: we've known for a long time that President Obama is a stone cold narcissist and can't take people bringing up shortcomings of his administration.

Debates are dog and pony shows. I enjoy them as entertainment only. Will Mitt Romney's debate skills save the economy? Bring peace in the Middle East? Curb government corruption? Nope. The post-debate polls have been great for Romney but debates shouldn't be how you decide your vote. Look at the issues, not the debates. I'd rather have a 400 lb president with a rat-tail that stutters with good political positions than having someone that is as handsome as Robert Redford and is as eloquent as Brent Musberger. Did I just say Robert Redford was handsome? Yes I did. Class dismissed.