The World Awaits Tonight's Obama Romney Debate
After the disastrous performance President Obama reportedly had during his first debate with Mitt "the chameleon" Romney, he'll have the added pressure of international interest in this second event. Since domestic as well as foreign policy issues will be subjects of discussion, the international community will have heightened sensitivity to key words like China, trade, currency, Russia, Syria, Iran, sanctions, Benghazi, Middle East, Arab Spring, etc.
Additionally, we think many around the world will be anxious to draw a comparisons between the competing economic philosophies America is offering for the next four year cycle. In an optimal circumstance, the global audience would see each candidate explaining how his short, medium and long term economic strategy/policies would create and eventually sustain global growth.
With many now legitimately doubting the U.S.' ability to competently deal with its fiscal crisis, it would be constructive if both candidates were pressed to demonstrate their depth of understanding the world's economic interconnectivity. To pledge as Mr. Romney has, that his plan would create 12 million new American jobs in his first term is a bit ludicrous, without acknowledging and factoring in very predictable economic headwinds swirling about the globe. His bold headline grabbing pronouncement totally void of details exposes a surprising ignorance on Mr. Romney's part or a miscalculation of the global audience's intelligence.
However, considering the likelihood of broader more substantive discourse taking place is rather remote, President Obama's default challenge tonight will be to speak from his heart and directly to the hearts of the few uncommitted independents left to persuade. At some point during the town hall styled event, there will a magic moment to connect with the nation as a whole through some unscripted nonpartisan question asked by a regular guy/gal that just want to know how either of the candidate's vision will add clarity and certainty to their lives.
No matter how it's phrased or presented, it will happen and it will be real. This will be the President's opportunity to show the electorate why they like him. The only man capable of capturing this inevitable moment will be the one who projects sincerity and truly understands real people.
At the same time, the president must proudly remind the nation of his administration's accomplishments, while exposing Romney's glaring deficiencies, fraudulent promises and his schizophrenic political profile.
While Mr. Romney may qualify as a human being in some circles, few beyond the yachting set see him as a real person, sincerely having their best interest at heart. Sincerity is a quality, an innate character trait so clearly absent Mr. Romney's persona, he'd never be able to capture that magic moment.