# Is it too early to say Romney has lost? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 18, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066 "2012-09-18T13:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/242 "2012-09-27T14:00:26Z")
If it was a warning, why was it corrected by the press secretary? If this was a new policy, I support it wholeheartedly. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/243 "2012-09-27T14:03:54Z")
Are you pretending not to understand the concept of “You don’t always speak openly about subtle, half-hidden implications in foriegn policy” or do you really not understand? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/244 "2012-09-27T14:15:30Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > We thought he was a soulless flip-flopper and he either contradicts himself within minutes of making a statement or his staff puts out a presser saying he didn’t really say what we just heard. [That Was Venn, This Is Now.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6pmsiIe9s1qcokc4o1_500.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/245 "2012-09-27T14:18:50Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > 1. Not known whether Egypt is an ally or not I am absolutely floored than someone presenting themselves as an informed observer of politics would be under the impression that statement was in any way mistaken or accidental. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/246 "2012-09-27T14:36:46Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I am absolutely floored than someone presenting themselves as an informed observer of politics would be under the impression that statement was in any way mistaken or accidental. Correct. He was sending a very deliberate message to the Egyptians and followed up with a call to their president. The Egyptians got the message and started to break up the crowds and protect the American interests. You need to be very careful what you say, how you say it, and when you say it in matters of foreign policy. Romney thinks all you have to do is sprint to a microphone and start yammering. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/247 "2012-09-27T15:03:54Z")
Could be. Could also be that he actually knew what the national debt was, but his brilliant mind calculated that it would be bad for him to actually say it to a prime time audience. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/248 "2012-09-27T15:06:59Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Could be. Could also be that he actually knew what the national debt was, but his brilliant mind calculated that it would be bad for him to actually say it to a prime time audience. His mind is indeed too brilliant to look at the national debt and conclude that a tax cut for the wealthy is the way to deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/249 "2012-09-27T15:09:35Z")
I’m pretty sure that, with neither prepping for the question, Obama could give as accurate a figure as Romney could. Do you suppose it means very much which candidate is closer at a particular nano-second to the exact figure down to the penny, or that Romney certainly knows better than Obama does what the precise figure is? If so, why? Or is that another GOP hypothetical “Gotcha”? You know, where you make up what Obama is thinking and then you criticize it, typically harshly and from a pure partisan perspective? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/250 "2012-09-27T15:55:59Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > When Newt scornfully gives you campaign advice, you know you’re in trouble: [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/26/gingrich-hits-romney-in-frank-assessment/](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/26/gingrich-hits-romney-in-frank-assessment/) I loved this bit at the end: > [@](#): > > Gingrich said he was “frankly startled” by Romney’s acknowledgment of Obama’s compassion for the middle class. > > “I don’t know why he’s saying that,” he said. If President Obama cared about the middle class, why did the price of gasoline go to an all-time high?" What the hell is Obama supposed to do about gasoline prices? Oh, I know, how about if he nationalizes the oil companies, and puts in a mandatory federal subsidy for gasoline that keeps the prices artificially low? That would be the American way, right? Oh no wait, that would be the Venezuelan way. Why does Newt want Obama to be just like Venezuela? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/251 "2012-09-27T16:09:09Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > What the hell is Obama supposed to do about gasoline prices? This was apparently one of the Republican talking points sent out via fax – Gas prices! Obama! AAAghhh!!! When (a) the president has virtually no control over gas prices, absent invading Saudi Arabia and (b) prices are about where they were 4 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/252 "2012-09-27T16:15:35Z")
Yeah, the Republicans _wish_ gas prices would shoot up as dramatically as they did in 2007-2008. Gas prices have been holding more or less steady where they are since early 2011 or so. People adjust pretty rapidly to new price points, and at this point I don’t think, “OMG HIGH GAS PRICES” is going to be a hugely resonant message for most people. Some, sure. But I doubt it’s going to be much of a winner. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/253 "2012-09-27T16:16:27Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > What the hell is Obama supposed to do about gasoline prices? Nothing, and I presume Gingrich knows that. But you may recall Gingrich campaigned on a promise to cut the price of gas to $2.50 per gallon. Meanwhile Romney says he does care about the poor and middle class, and his proof is Romneycare. You know, the health insurance program that was the model for Obamacare, which Romney and the other Republicans have been attacking nonstop. I guess we’ve come full circle on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/254 "2012-09-27T16:30:51Z")
We could invade Iraq again… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/255 "2012-09-27T16:37:12Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I guess we’ve come full circle on this one. For what…the third time since January? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/256 "2012-09-27T16:38:43Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > What the hell is Obama supposed to do about gasoline prices? Nothing, which is why this is an effective talking point. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/257 "2012-09-27T16:43:16Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > What the hell is Obama supposed to do about gasoline prices? Apparently, drill drill drill everywhere and anywhere, remove all environmental regulations standing between oil companies and that precious precious crude, and invade a couple of Middle Eastern countries. Simple, no? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/258 "2012-09-27T16:47:35Z")
Gas prices recently shot up by 30 cents per gallon around here (SF Bay Area). Why? A fire at the local refinery. Was Obama supposed to have told Chevron to replace that worn pipe himself during a personal inspection? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/259 "2012-09-27T16:49:30Z")
That’s the thing - if Obama had only not cared about the stupid environment and the global warming hoax and just opened up all the national parks to oil drilling, we’d have had enough supply that we could’ve weathered the refinery fire with 99 cent gas. (I think I’m exaggerating, but I’m probably not.) ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/260 "2012-09-27T16:56:43Z")
I’m just having a good time watching Romney’s campaign self destruct a little more every time he opens his mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066/261 "2012-09-27T16:58:38Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Meanwhile Romney says he does care about the poor and middle class, and his proof is Romneycare. You know, the health insurance program that was the model for Obamacare, which Romney and the other Republicans have been attacking nonstop. I guess we’ve come full circle on this one. In fact, he’s now cut down his flip-flopping time to [Mere minutes](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/26/health-reform-law-an-example-of-compassion-romney-says/) > [@](#): > > “I think throughout this campaign as well, we talked about my record in Massachusetts, don’t forget - I got everybody in my state insured,” Romney told NBC News, according to a quote on their website. "One hundred percent of the kids in our state had health insurance. > > “I don’t think there’s anything that shows more empathy and care about the people of this country than that kind of record,” he continued. > > Minutes later, however, Romney railed against Obama’s health law, which bears similarities to the Massachusetts provision. > > At a campaign rally in Toledo, Romney reaffirmed his commitment to “repeal Obamacare and replace it with real health care reform.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-early-to-say-romney-has-lost/635066.md?page=14)