My Debate Advice to the President

My comments about the debate.

The President looked reactive and defensive.  This is completely unnecessary.  I want to see him step up to the podium and talk about the choice between continuing the failed economic policies of the past 30-40 years, or restoring us to a plan that creates equal opportunity for all--a plan that makes sure "shared sacrifice" starts with those who've sacrificed nothing while the rest of us have struggled.

I think both sides are equally matched when it comes to identifying the challenges we face.  Where the President has an edge is in delivering his message about how we are going to deal with those.  The President never needs to answer the other side--he only needs to make it clear that he is going to pursue policies that protect the middle class, because it is the middle class that makes this country strong.  Keeping the middle class strong, protecting our interest, will propel us into a bright economic future.  Everyone knows we must pay taxes to maintain a civilized society.  When the rich stop paying their fair share of taxes our system will fail. The President just needs to deliver "the vision."

Romney is not delivering a vision because the vision he has is "ugly" to most Americans, and the President's use of the phrase "secret plan" really hit home.

Every question the President is asked should simply direct him to the "positive" message that is most important to deliver in the context of the question.  Just give a brief "nod" to the question then move on to the positive message.