Great debaters not only know how to get their message across, they also know how to eviscerate their opponents via the 'death by a thousand cuts' strategy. This can be done any number of ways, but one in particular, while risky, can yield huge rewards.
It requires the participant to go on the offensive.
My all-time favorite "debate" came in the form of a rap battle between B-Rabbit (Eminem) and Papa Doc (Anthony Mackie) in the movie 8 Mile, which is surprising since I don't listen to rap music.
Anyway, for those not familiar with 8-Mile, B-Rabbit was an aspiring writer and poet who showcased his talent by participating in rap "Battles." These are rhyming verbal sparring matches set either to music or a steady rhythm.
Story-wise, B-Rabbit, like our beloved president, was a classic underdog---a poor, likable guy with a good heart and big dreams. B-Rabbit's nemesis also made his life a living hell. Papa Doc (the villain) and his merry gang of bullies (called Free World) spent most of the film spreading lies and attacking B-Rabbit, both verbally and physically.
Things came to a head when B-Rabbit had to face Papa-Doc (the reigning battle king) for the all-time championship. B-Rabbit was immediately concerned about what Papa-Doc would hit him with. Since B-Rabbit had his share of embarrassments, there were a number of things his opponent could choose from. For instance, would Papa-Doc deride him about the fact that a member of Papa-Doc's gang boinked his girlfriend? Or that he lived in a trailer park with his mom? Or that his best friend was so stupid, he shot himself in the leg?
Considering what was at stake, B-Rabbit had to figure out a way to diminish Papa-Doc's attacks. However, when it came time to select which order they'd go in, Papa-Doc won the coin toss, so the choice was his. Yet he surprised everyone when he told the MC to, "Let that b**ch go first."
Big mistake. Though B-Rabbit had to think fast, his performance was brilliant.
Warning, strong language.
In case you missed it, Papa-Doc went to Cranbrook. LOL
Now let's look at tonight's debate. Mitt Romney can't take the B-Rabbit approach because he's had at least two to three points of view on any given subject. If he tries the, 'I reassessed my position after reconsidering the facts,' Obama can simply mention how many other times these 'reassessments' occurred--some within minutes of each other. IOW, any position Mitt takes, the president can add the caveat of "This is what he's saying today. What will he say tomorrow?"
However, the president can use B-Rabbit's tactic. If done with an equal amount of restraint, grace and panache, it can neutralize Romney, leaving him tongue-tied and bewildered.
Being the first to mention the so-called weaknesses or failures Romney and the GOP have been hammering him on, President Obama can dodge whatever punches Romney throws. He can then correct the lies and exaggerations with facts.
This tactic will also work with any legitimate criticisms. If the president is the first to admit that there was a problem or miscalculation (something he has never shied away from), he can then immediately segue into how he plans to fix it. This will make him look less defensive considering many of his so-called 'failures' are due to Republican obstructionism. This also shows he's man enough to own up to his mistakes and that he's ready, willing and able to correct them.
George Bush has yet to admit he's ever screwed up.
So if Obama does this, what would Romney have left? Empty attacks. Ill-timed zingers. Pandering to the camera. Looking robotic and stiff. And while he scrambles to pull one of his stupid one-liners from his steaming barrel of crap, the president can go on the offensive, calling Romney out for all the:
1. Lying
2. Flip-flopping
3. Income Tax deceptions (perhaps---depending on the debate climate-- asking him if he participated in the tax amnesty program)
4. Job outsourcing
5. Insults to the American people
6. Ryan/Romney Rube Goldberg budget plan
7. Immigration bull hockey
8. Medicare obfuscations
9. Social Security privatization plans
10. Bain lies (president, CEO...etc)
11. Welfare lies
12. Obamacare/Romneycare/Emergency Rooms
13. GOP voter suppression efforts
14. Mischaracterizations about income redistribution (How Republicans believe in it too)
15. Fill in the blank
The way I see it, as long as President Obama stays ahead of that tool, he'll be fine. He's likable, personable and genuine.
Mitt Romney is none of these things, and one debate performance isn't going to make it so. Pigs and lipstick come to mind.