(graphic: Today’s Denver Post front cover)
I love political debates at the presidential level because no matter what anyone says beforehand the end result is never what you expect. Oh political smarty-pants types will discuss body language, dial technology and “zingers” TM (this week’s most overused political word) but none of those really matter. Why? Because most debates since 1992 have been devoid of any particularly exciting or sexy moments.
You’ll notice that on most political talk shows analysts refer to the 1992 townhall debate with Bill Clinton and George Bush (and Ross Perot, remember him?) where Bush looked at his watch during a woman’s question. Perhaps my memory is failing me, but I don’t know that the campaign really turned on his famous ‘gaffe’ Bush was already in trouble for being out touch. Al Gore sighing and looking annoyed that he had to listen to George W. Bush talk during the 2000 debates was exciting for the chattering class but most Americans were not swayed by the behavior of either candidate during the debate. And no one will be swayed by what happens tonight either.
Obama is too calm and smooth to say anything crazy, and Mitt Romney is too experienced and cautious to make anymore $10,000 bets. So what should we really be looking for tonight, even if just for entertainment purposes? Take a look at my comments on Headline News with Robin Meade this morning and you’ll see a pretty clear breakdown of what to expect.
Check out the clip of Dr. Jason Johnson from this morning here.
