Are You Ready To Rumble?

Every day I receive an email from President Barack Obama or one of his key advisors within the campaign.  The emails make a point to let me know what’s going on within the campaign and how much they need my financial support to make the difference.  This has been the case every day for the last three months.  The emails are informative and they all drive home the same message that they need my support to be successful.  Many times it is only a request for a $5 contribution, more if I am able. 

Tuesday Night’s debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York promises to be a significant turning point in this competition for the highest office of our land.  Both candidates will do their best to sharpen the differences between themselves in hopes of reaching the voter.  Mitt Romney will be looking for a knock-out punch to the President after his woeful performance in the first debate.  President Barack Obama will be looking to regain lost ground by delivering a knock-out performance of his own.     

Romney will hammer away at high unemployment, no jobs, no economic growth, a failed foreign policy, growing debt, a health care plan that bears the President’s name and on and on.  The President will counter these arguments by going on the offense pointing to slow but continual growth in jobs, a sluggish but growing economy, a plan to reduce the debt and a health care plan that will help all Americans in need. 

This debate is a town hall format allowing members of the audience to ask all the questions.  On the surface, this format does not necessarily favor either candidate.  It does however create an environment for some interesting and potentially surprising questions.  One that will come as no surprise to Mitt Romney will be someone asking him about his forty-seven percent comments.  Count on Romney to have his canned answer prepared.  Count on President Obama to pounce if the question is asked. 

Obama supporters are counting on the President to show up and get aggressive on this very question.  This one question best frames the difference between the Obama Administration and a potential Romney Administration.  This one question opens the door for the President to speak of the differences between the two men and how they will govern.  It is a winning argument for President Obama but only if he can make the case. 

The second question the President has to be hoping for is the hanging curveball question of Medicare.  This question will also allow the President to differentiate his position from that of Romney’s.  Romney will focus on the billions of dollars being cut from Medicare by the President’s Affordable Health Care Act.  Once again, the President’s supporters hope that he has a clearer explanation and answer to this charge to debunk Romney’s claim.

Tuesday Night’s debate will most likely become an instant classic.  This election is at an important crossroads.  Both candidates must feel a win Tuesday Night could indeed propel them to victory.  A bounce for either candidate coming out of this debate will be meaningful as voting has already commenced across the country.  Both candidates have worked very hard preparing for this moment.  More than likely it will be a draw with some winning and losing moments for each candidate.

There will be those watching hoping for a rumble.  More than likely, they will be disappointed.  No matter what, it will set the stage for the final few weeks of the campaign and the final debate between the two men. Do well Mr. President and I will send you that $5.00 you have asked for, maybe more.