I've commented on this elsewhere, but maybe it's time for a short diary.
Every campaign strategist knows that one should lower expectations ahead of a debate, and raise the expectations of your opponent. This is Politics 101.
I honestly don't understand why some Kossacks (of all people) have been trying to 'talk up' President Obama's prospects at the debate. Is it naivete, or lack of discipline, or immaturity, or lacking a political instinct, or what? *sheesh* That's what Romney's team is trying to do, to build overly high expectations for Obama (and to lower expectations for Rmoney).
Why would Kossacks aid the other team's efforts?
I expect that snap-polls and pundits will declare the debate a tie at best, and very likely a "win" for Romney -- something we need to gird ourselves for. The media wants this election to be neck-and-neck.
The expectations for Romney are low ("he's a businessman, foreign policy is not his strength"), for Obama they're so high, and all Romney has to do all day is debate-prep and campaign. For him to even be allowed to show up on a stage for 90 minutes with the President, in front of 70 million viewers, is a big win for Romney. (He'll win some votes just for looking Caucasian, male and pompous.) Meanwhile, President Obama has to govern the US and try to manage world affairs -- hardly a small 'day job', in fact it's perhaps the most demanding job in the world. Oh, and also debate for his re-election, up against the most conniving liar in recent electoral history.
Romney is getting primed full of attacks to make. And he won't limit himself to foreign affairs, he'll try to smuggle in various domestic issues, as well. His advisors will have learned from the second debate, and prepared a counter-attack. You can bet he will try to ambush the President -- using Romney's strength as a liar, his bluster from years as an obnoxious corporate wheeler-dealer, his arrogance, and his palpable lack of respect for the President.
As the debate unfolds we'll all have a chance to Tweet, comment, etc. Until then, let's keep it disciplined and on message.