ladyliberal
Progressive Princess
- Aug 5, 2011
- 1,253
- 291
- 48
I think this thread, much like others on Gingrich, is vastly overrating both the (hypothetical) GOP candidate and the overall importance of debates. While debates have proven very significant in this primary season, they rarely if ever prove decisive in general elections.
I have no doubt the people in this thread predicting that Santorum would win a debate could watch a debate between Santorum and Obama and feel that Santorum had won on every point. However, if one wouldn't seriously consider voting for Obama one is not being influenced by the debate anyway. I see no evidence that Santorum could be more appealing to swing voters than is Obama. In any event, I think the two are close enough that debate performance would play a very, very small role in determining the election.
I have no doubt the people in this thread predicting that Santorum would win a debate could watch a debate between Santorum and Obama and feel that Santorum had won on every point. However, if one wouldn't seriously consider voting for Obama one is not being influenced by the debate anyway. I see no evidence that Santorum could be more appealing to swing voters than is Obama. In any event, I think the two are close enough that debate performance would play a very, very small role in determining the election.