Romney: I Vow I Will Not Abolish Social Security

Camp Romney is pretty thrilled about this exchange. While Perry never said he'd abolish Social Security, or had any plans to, Romney made it clear he wouldn't (hint, hint), and his campaign is now putting out the word that "The Perry Plan," as they dub it, is to abolish the program.

Eh, politics isn't beanbag. Still, I don't know how you convert a Romney statement about not abolishing Social Security into a statement by Perry that he would.

He didn't say that. Romney's just kind of... makin' stuff up.

Debate Wrap-Up: On my end, I'm disappointed in Perry. I thought his chops were better than this. It's not that he did bad, per se.

However, here's what I had in mind: Perry would do inarguably well and seal the deal.

He did not do that. He did okay. But "okay" means he hasn't knocked anyone out, nor convinced any leaners, nor impressed anyone (as Bachmann did, and Cain before that) into thinking "Oh, who's this guy?"

There are certain expectations associated with being a front-runner. Ideally, a true front-runner should live up to those expectations, so that anyone tuning in, not knowing any context or horserace stuff, would just guess that person was the front-runner.

I don't think he did that. He was mediocre. Not actually bad, but I'm pretty sure I speak for most people when I say he failed to wow anyone. Actually, who knows, maybe someone was wowed, but I think those already supporting him were expecting some doubles and homeruns.

The fact is that Romney is simply a better debater -- which actually surprised me. I always knew Romney was good; I just expected Perry to match that level. He didn't.

In fact, Newt Gingrich was also better than Perry, and Rick Santorum continues to perform well in these too. He was also better.

The primary fight goes on, as it did in 2008, with no one really grabbing the prize and putting the contest away (as Bush did in 2000, and Reagan did in 1980). Anyone supporting another candidate must be pleased by that, but I was really hoping for Perry to emerge as the clear choice.

Didn't happen.

Fred Bauer seems to have watched the same debate I did.

posted by Ace at 09:51 PM

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