I was struck by ABC’s back to back debate with all the major candidates from the two parties, where we finally got to see the candidates show themselves for who they are. And how it helped one candidate and killed another.
On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton who while doing a cautious but calmly reasoned campaign finally grew tired of the petty attacks from Edwards/Obama as they constantly claimed to be the only two candidates of ”true” change. Her voice starting from a calm monotone raised ever so upward until she started yelling forcefully saying her work for the last thirty five years making change was evidence of what she would produce and that the empty rhetoric of Obama, though appealing was also very dangerous. And she was right. My sister turned to me and said “I like angry Hillary” to which I replied “I do to”. Later in a very public moment of honesty, Hillary, when asked a question of how she puts herself up to be judged day after day came close to tears. I know many Republicans are saying it was a made up moment, and she’ll never win certain people like that over. I was moved and felt a need, call it the southern gentleman inside me, to defend her. I don’t like to see women attacked, and while of course she gives as good as she gets, I can’t get away from my feelings of protection about her.
She of course went on to win New Hampshire last night, through a multitude of factors, including her emotional honesty and her bringing light to Obama shortcomings.
Then there was Mitt Romney, Satan himself, who now knows there is no way he win be the Republican nominee and is angry. But what was so interesting about the debate, was the hatred that Romney has caused that crosses ideological groups. In the fun movie Ocean’s Thirteen, the men in the movie operate under unwritten rules known only among themselves. That doesn’t mean they don’t fight like hell for what they want, but certain things are off limits and if you cross them you pay. One couldn’t escape the feeling that Romney has broken every rule of decency and the other four major players went up and made him suffer. From McCain to Huckabee, Thompson to Giuliani every single one was brutal to Romney from McCain’s “You are the candidate of change” to Huckabee’s “Which one?” line to body language, Romney was enemy number one. Romney responded by whimpering “No personal attacks” and acting like the school yard bully who got his and cried home to mommy. And when it comes to comedy it does matter who delivers the line, Huckabee’s when hearing Romney saying “I don’t want this to be personal, I want it be based on my positions on issues” said “Which one?”. The audience went crazy with laughter. Later on Fox’s debate the day after Romney attacking Huckabee’s speech style “faster than your lips move and that’s saying something” drew silence and one could feel people saying “What a ___”. Romney went on to lose New Hampshire like he lost Iowa in absolute embarrassment. His money is no good to voters trying to decide about honest candidates like Huckabee, Giuliani, McCain and Thompson. Men who believe what comes out of their mouths as opposed to their pocket book.
Clinton learned honest emotion is rewarded and Romney learned that any form of honesty is better than the campaign he has put forward.
