I had published the following Diary on June 22, 2012. I believe it is even more relevant today considering Obama's disastrous performance on Oct. 4.
Debates; Obama’s ticket to reelection
INTRO
Barack Obama needs to win for good of the country. Nothing he has done, in Washington and on the campaign trail, has worked. There is no magic wand available to him. So he should bet on winning debates. But, he should get out of his comfort zone and be aggressive and hard hitting during the debates. All his effort should be to convince Independents that Romney and proposed policies are injurious to the health and future of America.
DIARY
President Obama seems to be in trouble. Economy is not improving as he would like. Republicans and conservatives feel good about their riled up base, and Obama’s lack of effective campaign effort. There are potential problems in the Supreme Court’s decision about Obamacare, Iran situation, and Euro crisis. Obama needs a real boost but it is not on the horizon. What does he do to help himself?
Amidst polarization and voter apathy President can help himself considerably by planning, strategizing, and executing an aggressive debate plan; this may be his only savior.
Being President over three years Barack Obama has intimate knowledge of all the issues. He is intelligent and studies all aspects of the matters important to the country. The biggest reason he, like many liberals, is fair and balanced is that he sees both sides of any issue. But, being rational prevents him from being aggressive and hateful. However, during debates he should be aggressive and even go negative when necessary. Now, you don’t have to become like Republicans to use the tools you have to succeed. Obama should tell Americans why Mitt Romney’s policies would hurt voters. Instead of talking in generalities, or explaining theories and principles, he should take specific, simple, examples and hit Romney hard. A little exaggeration wouldn’t hurt either. There is no reason to explain or justify past actions; people know and either like it or not. The language and tone should be such that would excite the base and make independents think Mitt Romney would be unfair, ultra conservative, and destructive of all the values we hold dear, and of our future.
Obama should have a different theme for each debate. While Republicans prepare to fight the last one, he should open a new front during second and third debates. Often, his questions should ask for yes or no response, and he should insist on it. The questions should be based on the knowledge Obama has received during his time in the White House; the stuff Romney has not thought about. Let Romney’s helpers prepare him for popular issues and clichés, Obama should go for for the knock out.
If Barack Obama wants to help the country, and him, he should go against his natural style, habit, and instinct, and go with pre-emptive attacks, shock and awe, and unexpected blows, aka Drones!