“We've had some missteps, but at the end of the day, the choice is really clear and we're giving people a very clear choice,” Rep. Paul Ryan, Romney’s running mate, said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Still, Rep. Ryan sought to downplay the importance of the debate.
“I don’t think one event is going to make or break this campaign,” he said. “Look, President Obama is a very gifted speaker. The man’s been on the national stage for many years, he’s an experienced debater, he’s done these kinds of debates before. This is Mitt’s first time on this kind of a stage.”
Still, as Fox News host Chris Wallace pointed out, Romney did endure 23 debates during the primary campaign, and he’s been running for president non-stop since before the 2008 election.
Not surprisingly, White House senior adviser David Plouffe plays up Romney’s debating skills.
“He’s prepared more than any candidate I think maybe in history, certainly in recent memory. He’s been a good debater in the past. He’s very prepared. He’s got all these clever zingers and lines in his pocket, so we understand he’ll probably have a good night on Wednesday night.” Mr. Plouffe said on ABC's "This Week."
On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Plouffe tossed a little taunt at his Republican rivals: “It’s important to understand: the election is happening right now. People started voting in Iowa this week. They will in Ohio next week. People are requesting absentee ballots. We like what we’re seeing in those numbers.”
