By Ken Feltman
Whenever a debate contains dust-ups as last night’s did, predicting winners and losers usually takes longer because opinions can change as combative parts of the debate are replayed, sometimes out of context. Rick Perry attempted to land a haymaker. Mitt Romney lost his composure. Herman Cain did not answer the criticisms of 9-9-9 and seemed a bit lost on foreign policy. But turn off the sound and replay key parts of the debate and you may get a different impression. That impression may be the one that prevails in the coming days.
Without sound, the worst sides of two of the three men are revealed. Perry’s indignant rant about Romney employing illegal immigrants reveals the most. Wide-eyed, flashing with anger, Perry’s body language showed frustration, even desperation. He was trying to climb back into the ring and knock out his opponent, all in one explosive moment. Then, as Romney attempted a response, the smirk that people call arrogant appeared. Perry’s eyes searched the audience for reassuring reactions to his blast at Romney. Perry is a pit bull.
Without the sound, Romney looked panicked and flustered, finally drawn into the arena, unable to be Mr. Cool under the attack. Now everyone knows that he isn’t Superman. He isn’t Teflon coated. The Obama team was taking notes. By the end, Romney was back to his settled, slightly condescending pose. He likes to be the adult waiting for the kids to sort out a playground squabble. In this case, he got drawn in and he did not do well in the sandbox. Will this benefit President Obama more than Perry? Probably.
Without the sound, Cain looked confident, even amused, not annoyed, as he tried to deflect attacks on his plan. His smile contrasted with the tight jaws of Perry and Romney. What will people take away from Cain’s performance? That may depend on how interested they are in the details of 9-9-9. It may also depend on how disgusted people became over Perry’s wild swings and Romney’s fall into the arena. Finally, the real candidates showed up and they may not be as respected or liked several days from now because of this debate.
Also published at Politico
Do you have this translated into other languages? I have friends in Russia and Ukraine.
I like the variety of opinions here, not only one side.
Found you on google in three places on first page.
Thanks!
I just stumbled upon your site and enjoyed your posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing.
GREAT idea Ken! Turn Down the Sound!
I saw your NEWER post.
Maybe somebody that knows their hand gestures could make a NEW drinking game out of it?
Bachmann does kind of a low beauty queen turn in and out with hers, and Ron Paul Flaps,
Birds could fly into Rick Perry’s mouth, and Newt is looking more and more like Santa Claus as he sticks he self-satisfied Not a lobbyist/Lobbyist Historian gut out (kind of pre-Hastert tummy tuck:) , also NOT a lobbyist/LOBBYIST), and let’s not forget the Santorum, eww, eye rolls.