An in-your-face complaint from my ever-antagonistic neighbor, two questions via email, and a comment posted following yesterday's blog all tell me that I need to elaborate on my article titled "Pious Baloney -- A Memorable Moment".
In all four cases, I sense that these folks, and perhaps a lot more readers, may have missed the debate during which the expression "pious baloney" was used.
Early of a Sunday morning is a most unusual time for a debate, and TV ratings will probably show that the 9:00 AM start caused countless voters to miss what was a most compelling debate--perhaps the best for viewers, and definitely the worst for front-runner Mitt Romney.
Some political pundits have predicted that the words "pious baloney" will be used throughout primary season and the general election to describe Mitt Romney rhetoric.
Newt Gingrich used the expression at the beginning of a lengthy and effective personal attack on candidate Romney, and Gingrich's "put down" was all the more effective because Romney was at a loss for an adequate comeback.
Mitt Romney took a verbal beating that seemed to resonate with the audience, and his overall poor performance is reflected in the first polls taken after the Saturday night and Sunday morning debates.
He has seen small, but significant losses in his poll numbers the last few days; and while he will almost certainly still come in first in the New Hampshire primary tomorrow, the images of his Sunday morning troubles may linger with voters and slow his momentum.
There was another effective "put down" of candidate Romney Sunday morning. This one came early on and set the tone for Romney's miserable morning. John Huntsman proved himself an excellent debater by coming from a defensive position to make the former Massachusetts Governor look ridiculous.
Throughout the 15 debates, rival candidates have seldom received audience approval for what they have said to discredit the front-runner. But when Huntsman finished undressing candidate Romney, the live audience erupted with applause that included hoots and hollers of approval.
Mitt Romney still has a lot of momentum and money and still looks to outlast the competition and win the Republican nomination. But Sunday's debate is a reminder that, "it ain't over 'til it's over".
Monday, January 9, 2012
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My plaint is with some of your readers, who don't have enough self-confidence to more widely disseminate their comments, so they resort to e-mails and personal exchanges on the fly to express their opinions. Every day I try to put out there a comment, hoping to encourage other readers to do the same and stimulate an exchange of views. What is the problem out there people? Bill, has repeatedly invited readers to comment and given instructions on how to do it. Regrettably, it has all been for naught.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of noise out there in the political firmament, but don't be distracted. What will ultimately determine people's choice in both the primaries and general election are the candidate's experience and charisma. Mitt embodies the best combination of these distinguishing qualities and voters are beginning to recognize that fact. So, Bill, it looks as though the Romney express is well on its way to reaching its final destination - the White House.
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