Last night’s Republican presidential debate as shown on the CNBC network appeared to give former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney another boost in his bid to secure the GOP nomination. Romney didn’t hit any rhetorical home runs, but another candidate clearly committed an error, possibly a fatal one. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, needing a strong debate in order to neutralize previous poor performances, again fell victim to mis-speak that will likely cost him dearly. The governor, in trying to remember the three federal agencies he would eliminate under the fiscal recovery plan he just released, could only remember two such departments and froze before the camera in struggling to remember more. Thus, Mr. Perry unfortunately reinforced his image as a poor communicator.
With retired business executive and heretofore chief rival Herman Cain battling a series of sexual harassment scandals, Romney finds himself gaining by merely standing still. It is probable that next week’s polls will begin to show Cain faltering and Perry mired back in the pack and lacking the ability to show positive upward movement. Therefore, the one scenario that would actually nominate Mr. Romney – meaning all of the other candidates implode – may actually be unfolding right before our eyes.
