Let’s Review Romney’s Initial Statements On Libya

Romney may want to argue over the word "terror" now, but that wasn't what he did the night of the attack in Libya. Romney's initial statement on Libya:
“I’m outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi,” the statement read. “It’s disgraceful that the Obama Administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks.” The assertion that the administration sympathized with attackers was derived from a statement by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo — before the compound was breached — criticizing an anti-Muslim film that “hurt the religious feelings” of others.
Got that?  Romney was responding to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo - people who were trying to calm a potentially explosive situation.  He wasn't harping on terror.  He didn't call it a terrorist attack.  (Not that he should have at the time)  He was claiming that President Obama's first response was to "sympathize with those who waged the attacks."

Last Night’s Debate: Libya

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Delaware Dem is buried under polling numbers, so I'm jumping in on this - with DD's blessing! There are two separate issues concerning the exchange on Libya last night.  I'll deal with the easy one first.

Let’s Discuss The Debate

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Obama seemed distracted last night, and everyone can feel free to list their reasons why.  He missed several openings to hit Romney, but that's hardly new for Obama.  He's not a debater - go back and watch his debates against Hillary Clinton.  The best you can say about Obama is that he did no harm.  So was I thrilled with Obama's style last night?  No.  He lost on style, but there's two parts to a debate and the second one is substance.  (More on that in a minute)  What Obama did do was deny Mitt Romney a debate ad clip.  There was no gotcha moment for Mitt to seize upon. But if Mitt walks away with no ad clips Obama walks away with a ton. Which brings us to substance.

Predict the Post Debate Media Narrative!

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As Robert Wright notes in his Atlantic article, The Coming Romney Comeback Narrative, the media doesn't much like a static political narrative. It is the unfortunate byproduct of the horse race reporting they are fond of and the need to capture eyeballs. Wright posits multiple paths that the media narrative may go after tomorrow's debate (although it is worth it to read his entire article), but jump in the comments to make your own prediction of the new drama the media will be working on after tomorrow's Presidential Debate.

Romney Relying On… Zingers?

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First, I have trouble envisioning Mitt Romney delivering a zinger.  Zingers work when they flow naturally.  Zingers work when your opponent plays the straight man/woman and gives you the opening. …

Presidential Debate Question

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How in the world is Mitt Romney going to handle the Presidential debates?  He has run his entire campaign on avoiding detailed policy discussions, so how does this translate into a debate?  Will he simply say, "I love freedom" over and over again? Health Care, Afghanistan, Taxes, Medicare/Medicaid, Abortion, Budget Cuts, Unions, the Economy, Foreign Policy, etc. - all these topics, and many, many more, will be on the table.  How does Mitt Romney respond to these issues, or is there a way he can avoid them and continue to say nothing?