Even though I am technically an insider, I haven't always been...so I love watching the post debate hit jobs put on by the spinners and the talking heads, but the reality is that not much really changed last night...
Follow along below the fold and I will give you a little of my insight.
1. Romney won the debate team debate....So what?:
Mitt Romney won the debate according to almost every person with a TV microphone or knucklehead with a blog.
And, he may well have won the debate team debate scoring victory that everyone is crediting him with, but so what.
I think Kos said it best when he said if Mitt's likability didn't go anywhere, it doesn't matter. Guess what, it doesn't matter.
People, even regular Joe voter types, may think Mitt Romney won the debate, but if they still don't like him and still don't think his ideas are any good, so what?
2. President Obama lost the debate, or did he?:
Is this one of those times when a loss isn't a loss?
I might say yes. Hear me out...
* First, lots of people were kind of already looking on past the election, taking it for granted. So an uninspiring performance by Barack Obama is a wake up call to continue organizing and working to make sure and get this election across the finish line.
* Second, if Mitt Romney did indeed win the debate, what stupid thing is he going to do today? Or, how is he going to take advantage of it?
You might assume he would have a big day of campaigning to maximize the bounce of positive news coverage, right?
Wrong?
One appearance at 645 tonight.
So Mitt's I campaigning by not campaigning schedule continues.
3. Mitt Romney didn't say anything stupid:
Or, did he?
I actually think President Obama's lackluster performance also let Mitt get a little full of himself. He got to prance around telling his version of the truth, and he will get tied to these things.
Plus, he might not have made a huge gaffe, but he seemed to be bullying Jim Lehrer, didn't offer specifics, and said he'd fire Big Bird. That alone and the lies, are going to keep popping up.
Its not like having one successful debate is the end of the election.
So my takeaway is this:
1. Mitt Romney might have been a decent debate team member in high school.
2. Mitt Romney is probably even less likeable than he was yesterday morning.
3. A win for Mitt Romney in the 1st debate is probably a win for Barack Obama on November 6th because he now has the attention of his volunteers, donors, and any sympathetic outside groups.
4. Mitt Romney still doesn't seem very interested in actually campaigning and asking voters for their votes.
5. The long game favors Obama because now he has Romney tied to certain statements that will come back to bite him in the butt.
What I would encourage you to remain active, remain focused on making sure people get out to vote, and have a little fun....its just one debate.