The Presidential Debate: Sorry, Mr. President, You Built This Economy, but I Can Fix It

As we have come to know our president over the past four years, I think most would agree on a few things about him: 1) He is extremely competitive.  2)  He doesn't like to lose.  3) He hates it when he isn't the smartest person in the room.

All of this has been tested since his debate debacle in Denver.

Should it come as a surprise to anyone that his campaign is now vowing a "more aggressive," "improved," "47 percent referenced," "Bain Capital infused," "Romney tax plan," "better prepared" performance tonight?  

Everyone is expecting it--especially Mitt Romney, but he is ready for it.

Yes, the president will come out swinging, but the danger for Obama is that he knows his base is demanding it of him.  Biden tried to feed that beast last week and it proved to be disastrous for him among independents.  The latest Pew poll shows that 50% of independents thought Paul Ryan did a better job compared to 39% for Joe Biden.  Ouch.

It is going to be a tricky line for the president to feed his base the contentious meat they crave, while still convincing the undecided voter, (who is now giving Romney a solid look), to feel inspired that Obama's 2nd term agenda will somehow make up for all he was unable to accomplish in his first.

But what is going to be the hardest thing the president has to face?  Mitt Romney has found his feet.  

Image from The Examiner

In just 90 minutes on a stage here in Denver, Mitt Romney shattered the image that the Obama camp had desperately tried to create with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on ad campaigns to destroy his character.  Instead, Mitt Romney emerged as the leader with solutions, the leader with competence, and the believable, likable leader with the resume to back it all up.  

Like it or not, Romney spoke with authenticity.  He spoke with authority.  He inspired us and offered real solutions to our problems.  Americans liked what we heard.

Is Obama going to be feisty?  Probably.  Is Obama going to attack?  Undoubtedly.  Will Obama have a good debate?  Most likely, but what will Obama be unable to do?

Defend his record.

All Mitt Romney needs to do tonight is to continue to remind voters that Obama has had four years to accomplish everything he now promises.  He already had four years to fix the mess he inherited--to make things right.  He didn't.

Since Obama's inauguration:

• $4500 drop in Median income
• $5.5 trillion added to the deficit
• 47 million Americans living on Food Stamps
• 23 million unemployed Americans
• 5.5 million homes are in foreclosure
• 1 in 6 Americans now living in poverty
• Gas prices have doubled
• US credit rating has been downgraded for the first time in history

Maybe Mitt needs to simply say, "Sorry Mr. President, like it or not, you built that." And then confidently say, "But I can fix it."

Mitt Romney needs to remind us of Obama's record and then ask each American if their family can afford to find out what happens if the president gets it wrong...again.  The answer is most likely no.

Image from mittromney.com

What can we expect of Mitt Romney tonight?  Feistiness?  Anger?  Rattled?  Nerves?  Nope, just a subtle confidence that will continue to intimidate and rattle his rival. 

I can't wait. 

Go Mitt.