American voters to measure Obama, Romney in key debate
LAS VEGAS—Barack Obama and his Republican foe Mitt Romney clash on Wednesday in the first of a trio of debates, a test of nerve, temperament and presidential mettle before tens of millions of viewers.
The televised debates, which have the feel of a heavyweight title fight as a feisty challenger seeks to knock out or outpoint the current champion, are the last best hope for Romney to save a sagging campaign.
And they represent a potential minefield for President Obama as he seeks to cling onto a narrow lead in his quest to win a second term on Nov. 6.
The debates, a regular feature of presidential campaigns since a stubbly Richard Nixon lost to a youthful John F. Kennedy in 1960, allow a chance to measure up the men who would be president as they stand side-by-side.
Challengers like Romney must first convince voters they have the intellect and disposition needed of a president in a dangerous world, and showcase a personality that will not grate over four years in the White House.
Incumbents have an advantage because by definition, they are already viewed as “presidential” but as ex-leaders like Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush found out, a slip can seriously damage a campaign.
Romney’s biggest test on Thursday may be to wrestle with a president who polls show is liked and trusted by a majority of voters, without seeming disrespectful or dismissive.
He endured a seemingly endless string of debates during the Republican primary campaign, but events with multiple candidates are a far cry from the concentrated pres- sure of a one-on-one faceoff.
The more likable Romney has tried to be throughout the campaign, the more unlikable he has seemed to become, as he has struggled to show a personality that those close to him say is warm, caring and humorous.
The Republican has also left a trail of gaffes so Obama is likely to try to goad him in the hope of drawing out more unfortunate off-the-cuff comments.
“Romney has to go in there with a lot of preparation, with a very tight script, with a home base in terms of message, that is a place he’s always going to return to,” said veteran Democratic political consultant Bob Shrum.
“And then he has to memorize and stick to that script because he can’t be trusted when he’s spontaneous.” For Obama, the biggest challenge may be that he is out of practice over the four years since he out-debated his last Republican opponent, John McCain.
Presidents are habitually treated with deference and are not used to being cross-examined in public, so Obama must guard against coming across as entitled or irked by Romney’s barbs.
On Spanish language television channel Telemundo last month, Obama appeared aggravated by blunt questions and flat footed in some answers, suggesting that the debate practice he is getting at a Nevada resort is much needed.
While the president is famous for a flashing smile, he can be a cold fish as well, and some who meet him interpret his sometimes impersonal manner as arrogance and aloofness.
In a Democratic primary debate with Hillary Clinton, one comment to her—“you’re likable enough”—came across as prickly and condescending.