There are far too many things that could, and almost certainly will happen in tonight’s debate to know what’ll ultimately shape public perceptions of the outcome — and as a rule candidates themselves have less ability than they normally do to shape those perceptions in a town hall format.
But there’s one major exception to this rule tonight, and it has to do with Romney’s secretly taped comments about the 47 percent.
Specifically, I think each candidate, but particularly Obama, has the imperative to get there first.
Assuming it comes up at all, it’s an entirely different debate if Obama brings it up himself, and puts Romney on the defensive about it from the outset, than if Romney addresses first it in response to a question from a participant or the moderator. It’ll be much, much harder for Obama to make that issue stick all over again if Romney has a chance to Etch-a-Sketch it early than it will be if Obama brings it up and frames it right out the gate; and much much harder for Romney to Etch-a-Sketch it if Obama’s already reminded viewers — retirees, veterans, etc — what Romney said about him when he thought the cameras weren’t rolling.
For my money, that’s the thing to keep the closest eye on.
