Hire Romney.

Don't balk at hiring the most competent person up for the job.

We tried listening patiently to promises, inspiring certain demographics, and voting emotionally, but the 4-year performance results cannot be denied: all ships sink a little when the tides are out. Some in lower moorings more than others.

I suspect after last night's debate performance,
where even the president's supporters and apologists admitted he seemed ... "unprepared"*, those who might emotionally be inclined to continue the team's course by rewarding the coach with a 4-year performance-extension contract, will have second thoughts.

Sure, play identity politics and help re-adjust the elite ranks when there's nothing much at stake... when the game's results are already decided.

But if you care about getting things turned around? Getting people back to work with the nation co-operating across class lines once again in the national interests, and not simply pointing fingers, you have to elect the best person for the job.

Because America simply can't afford to party like it's 1999 anymore... **

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* WaPo's Alexandra Petri:

Obama had the demeanor of someone who did not realize that the quiz was today. You got the sense that he was hoping someone would leap out from behind the set and announce that this was just an elaborate anniversary prank set up by Michelle. “Wasn’t that awkward!” he would say afterward. “I thought I was actually going to have to debate that absurd person.”

Unfortunately, no such reprieve came. Obama had to take part, and by the time he realized this, it was nearly half over. When he started trying to hammer Romney for a lack of specific plans, too much time had passed, and Romney could smoothly reply that he was only eschewing specifics in order that he might more closely resemble Ronald Reagan.

How to describe the debate? It was like a lecture in which the professor kept nodding off.

WaPo's Colbert I. King:

Obama got his butt kicked in Denver by a contender who was well prepared, unafraid, and willing to take it to his opponent regardless of the rules of engagement. Romney put Obama on the canvas tonight.

WaPo's Carter Eskew:

From the opening question, Romney took command. He deftly managed to make a strong, coherent critique of the president’s economic record in a calm, factual tone. He also repeatedly and effectively disputed Obama’s central critique about his tax plan, denying repeatedly that he will lower taxes on the wealthy or add to the deficit.***
...
At the beginning of the debate, Obama made an odd comment about tonight being his anniversary and promising Michelle that they will spend their next one in very different circumstances. Another performance like this one, and they might be in very different circumstances indeed.

**

I was dreamin' when I wrote this,
so soothe/sue me if it goes astray...

But when I woke up this morning,
coulda sworn it was... judgment day.

The sky was all purple,
there were people running everywhere.

Tried to run from the destruction,
you know? I didn't even care...

*** Next thing they'll tell us there'r no plans to fit women for breeding burkas, and push blacks back to the Jim Crow era. Or for Mitt to pull off the mask, revealing W., or ... Dick Cheney?

Different men. Different characters. Different eras.

Fight your fears? Vote competency.