The Drubbing in Denver

The Final Stretch & Hopeful Polls

We're now 30 days out from the election, so as close as it is, now's the time to get your second wind and give it all you've got to the finish line.  I just dug deeper than I imagined (after already shelling out for the convention) to donate (not only to Romney's campaign, but the Nat'l Republ. Senatorial Comm., CA Republ. Party & Craig Huey) -- I figure also a wise investment in the defense industry I'm employed by, as well as our nation's (incl. Social Security?) solvency, etc. 

I attended a debate watching party Wed., will fast & attend a rally tomorrow, and plan to join a deployment to Las Vegas the last weekend of the month.  I'm composing a letter to the editor, blogging, praying, got an inflatable elephant to hold yard signs, wearing T-shirts, etc. 

I for one don't want to have future generations ask why we didn't do more to stop the decline when we could.  This is our "greatest generation" that can save democracy just as much as the WWII generation.  Again, see my recent (Oct. 1) blog post (http://highgroundunderground.blogspot.com/) for more ideas on how to help.

I'm sure I'll have tears on election night -- either tears of joy, or of grief for our nation.  But after Mitt's great debate Wed., here's some hopeful news from the Romney campaign:

"I wanted to make sure you saw the latest polls since the debate on Wednesday night. Mitt Romney's performance has moved numbers in key battleground states and victory is in reach:

Ohio: Romney 47%, Obama 46% (source: We Ask America)
Ohio: Obama 50%, Romney 49% (source: Rasmussen)
Florida: Romney 49%, Obama 46% (source: We Ask America)
Virginia: Romney 49%, Obama 48% (source: Rasmussen)
Virginia: Romney 48%, Obama 45% (source: We Ask America)

"But the billion-dollar Obama juggernaut won't go down without a fight.

"That's why your support is critical to keep up this momentum."

The Drubbing in Denver

67 million people watched – the largest debate audience since 1992, and there was unprecedented unanimity among them that Mitt won.  When even the Democrat pundits are universally acknowledging a drubbing, and making or seeking excuses, you know Mitt won handily. 

Almost as amazing, even conservative foils Mark Levin & Mike Gallagher were euphoric.  Sarah Palin more reserved.  Krauthammer said he demolished $150 million of negative ads against him & turned them to dust.  Hewitt called it the worst performance by a sitting president in memory.  Sen. Thune said this resets the race.  Bill Kristol called it the best debate performance in 2 decades (since Reagan).  Priebus said he inspired the country – he was prepared, detailed, gave the American people what they deserve.

An ABC news story featured why Obama was off his game.  Al Gore postulated it was the altitude & lack of acclimatization – and he is the climate expert.  CNN said he obviously needed another cup of coffee, or two.  A former DNC chairman called Obama’s performance lethargic, disinterested & tragic – his strategy apparently not to attack.  Carvel – he didn’t look like he wanted to be there.  Jake Tapper – he’s been in a bubble surrounded by adulation (no cheering allowed here, and no control over questions as in a press conference).  Other excuses included Mitt Romney used notes – I didn’t notice him reading them, but noone said Obama couldn’t, and he uses teleprompters all the time.  He was also described as tired, not focused, unprepared, flat. 

And Obama was saying Mitt was dancing around positions & should be on Dancing w. the Stars.  No, he was dancing around Obama, who clearly needs lessons.  Obama had no defense of his record (indefensible), and no specific plans for the future, other than more of the same.

And a good thing Mitt did well, too – I was afraid of another tarring and feathering of a Mormon if he didn’t do well as the standard-bearer so many have pinned their hopes on to save this country from another Obama term.  But he did much better than merely avoiding that – achieving & exceeding expectations.  Someone said “tonight Romney was much better than his campaign (team), and Obama much worse” – well, a leader is supposed to get out ahead.  Paul Ryan said, “Now you’ve seen the Mitt Romney I know.” 

I think it’s harder to pass off a lie as in Obama’s ads when the guy you’re lying about is there to confront you.  One pundit said he was viewing it with other political experts, and whenever they said “there’s an opening for Romney,” Romney took advantage of it.

Luntz did a focus group, and 8 out of 9 who decided/changed after the debate went to Romney.  But he started before the debate about 4 points behind [not sure he’s adjusted for biased sampling], so needs to win another debate.  Obama shows empathy but no ability to solve problems, Romney’s the opposite, which is why Obama started ahead despite the economy. 

One little thing I noted – Mitt’s American flag pin was bigger than Obama’s.  But I also noticed a hard-to-discern logo in the middle of the flag, and I recognized it as the same pin I have from the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, with that Olympic’s logo superposed on the cloisonné pin.  I thought to wear it to the California delegate orientation & the convention, so I feel vindicated for my taste. 

Debate Notes

There were to be 8 15-minute segments, each on a different domestic issue question posed by Jim Lehrer.  The last couple got shortchanged.  Lehrer clearly lost control – Obama hogged more of the time – loves to hear himself talk, and thinks others do, also.  I was with a group of about 60 South Bay Republicans at a debate-watching party at Buffalo Wild Wings in the Del Amo Mall in Torrance.  We had a private room, and huge screen TV tuned to Fox News.  A lot of energy and cheering at Mitt’s zingers.

Jobs – what are the major differences on creating them?

Obama blamed great job loss 4 yrs ago, said the auto industry came “roaring back,” & housing is starting to.  Need to invest in education [we’ve been throwing all kinds of money at that in CA, and look where it’s gotten us], training, energy [alternative].  Romney’s “trickle-down” philosophy has failed.

Romney congratulated Obama on his anniversary, joking what a romantic setting.  In Ohio a desperate woman asked “can you help us?”  He said yes, and laid out 5 parts to his plan:  energy industry (oil, coal,...), more trade (& China crackdown), skills development, balanced budget & champion small businesses who hire the most people.

Obama spoke of his “race to the top,” hiring 100,000 math/science teachers, keeping tuition low [cheap loans have only allowed it to grow].  He agrees corporate taxes are too high, but need to close loopholes.  Accused Romney of $5 trillion tax cut.

Romney said it’s not a $5 trillion tax cut.  Middle income people were crushed (“buried” according to Biden) by the economy tax, prices up, etc.  Lowering (limiting) deductions (esp. upper income) will keep revenue up as the economy grows. 

Obama cut the government oil licenses – the only growth in drilling was on private land – not due to Obama [despite his taking credit].  He will not accept any tax cut that will add to the deficit [i.e., w/out balancing spending and/or deduction cuts?].  He corrected Obama again – no cut of taxes on the rich [cut rates, but also deductions, so revenue neutral?].  Obama’s plan would cost 700,000 jobs – raising the upper tax rate from 35% to 40%.  Look at the evidence of the last 4 years.

Federal Debt

Romney – it’s an economic as well as moral issue – passing to the next generation $1 trillion per year is immoral.  3 options to address the deficit/debt:  raise taxes, cut spending and grow the economy.  He’d cut programs that are unessential (e.g., Obamacare, NPR -- sorry, Big Bird & Jim Lehrer) & grow the economy, not raise taxes.  The president promised to cut the deficit in half, but instead doubled it.

Obama – blamed it on 2 wars, an economic crisis & the stimulus [which hasn’t worked].  He did cut the discretionary budget [he claims – how?  A net increase].

Romney – The economy is slower now than when Obama said you shouldn’t raise taxes in a recession.  You never balance the budget by raising taxes, but by growing jobs and the economy.  We’re spending 42% of our economy [GNP?] – about the same as Spain [which is teetering on bankruptcy].  Obama’s green energy tax credits have been 50 years worth of oil/gas breaks.  “You don’t just pick the winners and losers, you pick the losers.” [e.g., Solyndra]  Let the states be the laboratory of democracy [e.g., Romneycare in MA] – less serious if they fail – they can be bailed out – not the federal government.

Entitlements – Social Security, Medicare

Obama – his grandmother expected & needed to rely on social security, need to strengthen the system, Medicare.

Romney – Seniors depend on it – no one proposes changes for current retirees.  Obama cut Medicare $716 billion to balance Obamacare – 15% of hospitals and 50% of doctors won’t take new patients because of that.

Obama – vouchers will leave many without care.

Romney – those who have yet to retire will be able to choose either the current Medicare, or a private plan – competition is good for consumers.

Regulations

Romney – Regulation is essential – people need to know the rules, but it can be excessive, out of date, and then it hurts the economy.  For example, Dodd-Frank, some banks called “too big to fail,” uncreditworthy loans. [hence gov’t bailouts]. 

Obama – The economic crisis resulted from reckless behavior, some due to unworthy home loans but also...[restroom break for me]

Obamacare (the “Affordable Care” Act)

Romney – the cost of health care is higher under Obamacare – up $2,500, not the $2,000 decrease he promised.  [sounds like his deficit promise].  An unelected board decides treatments covered.  ¾ of businesses say they’re less likely to hire under Obamacare – it’s killed jobs.  Mr. President, when the economy and unemployment were so bad, how could you spend the first 2 years of your term focused on Obamacare, and not jobs?

Obama – [a sales pitch – yadda, yadda, yadda]

Romney – In Massachusetts, what we did [Romneycare] was bipartisan, didn’t raise taxes, no board for treatment decisions – Obamacare was strictly partisan, etc.  The CBO says 20 million will lose coverage as Obamacare goes into effect.  The Republican bipartisan plan was brushed aside by Democrats.

Obama – justified the board to cut costs.

Romney – Innovation in the private sector brings down costs, not the federal government [unless you have price controls in a planned economy like the Communists].

The private market and individual responsibility are the best approach.

Obama – Romney won’t reveal details of keeping the good and ridding the bad of Obamacare.

Romney – He’d do bipartisan negotiations, not “my way or the highway.”  [I lost track where, but he got in a good zinger about “trickle-down government,” countering the “trickle-down economics” charges.]

Government Role/Growth

Obama – Some things are best done by government – like education, infrastructure,...

Romney – said he loves schools & teachers – Massachusetts has the best.  The role of government is to protect the principles of [the Constitution?].  Defense is primary role – don’t cut the military.  Religious tolerance/freedom, right for individuals to pursue their dreams.  23 million are out of work, more on food stamps, 50% of college grads can’t find work.  The principle responsibility for education is state/local.  Let federal funds follow the child [vouchers?].

Obama – Budgets reflect choices – cutting taxes on the rich would cut education

Romney – Mr. President, you’re entitled to your own house & airplane, but not your own facts.  [Romney had said revenue would not be cut – taxes, yes, but deductions reduced, and economy growth & more jobs would raise revenue] Half of recipients of stimulus contributed to your campaign.  We need to grade our schools – Massachusetts schools are #1 because he cares.

Gridlock

Romney – As president he’d sit down & meet weekly a couple hours w. legislators, as he did in MA, and find common ground.  The reason he’s in the race is that people are hurting.  I’ve done it [fixed a broken economy, Olympics, companies] before, and will do it again.

Obama – [preaching on leadership – yadda, yadda, yadda...many words, no substance or application – in fact, all told, Obama spoke some 5 minutes more than Romney, and yet said much less]

Romney – This election is about 2 very different paths.  Don’t just look at the words, but also the records.  We’ll create 12 million new jobs, won’t cut the military,...

And now, looking forward to the Biden-Ryan debate....

At a conservative convention the next morning in Denver, Mitt spoke with his sons behind him.  He described meeting recently with Lech Walesa of Poland, and Lech repeatedly asked “Where’s American leadership?”   

Mitt also finished, as I will this post, with “Let’s get out there and win!!!”