Tonight, the long-awaited first debate between the two contenders for the presidency in 2012 is here. I fear it will be a giant let-down. As much as I’d like for Mitt Romeny to “just be Mitt”, he’ll really just recite the answers that have been scripted for him on the subjects the candidates have been given in advance.
Yesterday, I guest hosted the Randi Rhodes Show (thanks, Randi!), and played some of the mock-debate scene from HBO’s The Newsroom. If you haven’t yet seen it, I encourage you to watch, as it’s the only time you’ll see any such debate – ever – on television. As much as I long for something like this, it was probably the most inconceivable, unbelievable moment in a show in which the personal relationship story lines are laughably unrealistic. And that’s just sad.
So enjoy, because aside from in a scripted TV series, you’ll never, ever see an unscripted presidential debate again. But we can still hope that Mitt Romney can’t help himself and tries to be funny or otherwise goes off-script.
Alternet’s Joshua Holland joined me on the show this morning to run down his list of 6 Awful Pieces of Advice the Right is Giving Mitt Romney on the Eve of the Debates. Although the entire piece struck me as funny, I’d love for Mittens (or voMitt, as my other half calls him) to follow the advice from Donald Trump who advised him to go full birther via twitter:
In debate, @mittromney should ask Obama why autobiography states “born in Kenya, raised in Indonesia.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2012
But better yet, the advice of many strategists on both sides, who simply advise Romney to “be himself”. Yeah, good advice, but which Mitt should he be? Hmm…
Also on the show today, I chatted with Amy Simon of She’s History and John Amato of Crooks and Liars… I will be live-tweeting the debate tonight for Sulia.com, and we’ll listen to highlights and talk about the debate tomorrow morning, Yes, the first hour is open for you calls (to NicoleSandler on Skype or the old fashioned way at 954-889-6410), and with Maysoon Zayid in the second hour. Should be fun!