This Week's Watcher's Forum: Should Romney Go Negative?

Every week on Monday morning , the Council and invited guests weigh in at the Watcher's Forum, short takes on a major issue of the day. This week's question: Should Romney Go Negative?

Rhymes With Right: I think it is important that Romney goes negative. After all, there is plenty to go negative about.

Imagine an ad featuring Brian Terry's parents, discussing their son's murder and the connection to Fast and Furious.

Or an ad by one of those non-union employees whose pension was abrogated while union pensions were preserved in the wake of the GM reorganization.

And that does not even get into raising questions about Obama's passport records, college records, real estate deals, his connection to the release of sealed court records about opponents, Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, etc. . .

The Razor: Yes, for the simple reason that Obama is going to say he’s gone negative whether he goes negative or not. Given the depth of depravity shown by this administration, no surprise to those of us who have actually lived in “Beirut on the Lake” Chicago, they will smear Romney in ways that will defy our imagination. Romney has to attack back.

Bookworm Room: I don't think it's "going negative" to speak the truth about ones opponent -- even when those truths encompass ugly things. What Romney shouldn't do is "go vicious," which is the Obama/Axelrod/Reid MO.

Romney doesn't have to demean himself by spewing forth false and extremely evil accusations. In his case, the truth shall set him free, and he should trumpet those truths from the mountain tops -- all the while reminding voters that he is an incredibly competent money manager and that, when it comes to the economy, a rising tide lifts all boats.

The Colossus of Rhodey : An emphatic "yes." Next question?

The Independent Sentinel: Some of the Super PAC ads for Mitt Romney have already been negative. Negative ads work so, yes, he should be negative.

It isn't so much negative or positive for me as honest or deceitful. The ads must be based in fact and focused on issues.

I think it's time for Mitt Romney to talk about Barack Obama's ideology in addition to talking about the economy.

The Noisy Room: All Romney has to do is go for the truth, not negative. The truth will do all the heavy lifting required. But Romney must get on the offensive.

1. He needs to detail and go into his accomplishments and how his work ethic works for America.

2. He needs to go into Obama's history and highlight his Marxist and radical associations. That will be perceived as negative, but hey, the truth hurts.

3. He needs to present concrete plans for righting the country not only economically, but militarily.

4. He needs to keep the high ground and not go vicious. He's a good, moral man and needs to project that.

5. For the love of all that is holy, he needs more conservatives around him and advising him. Get rid of the moderates and progressives on his team and move to the right. As Monica Crowley said on Fox News this morning, he needs 'Tea Party cred.'

If he does this, he tells the facts and the truth without going negative. All the negative is on the Marxist in the White House as it should be.

Right Truth: Romney doesn't have to go negative, all he has to do is is quit acting like John McCain did and tell the truth about Barack Obama. Romney would not even take a stand over the Chick-Fil-A situation, where a company was attacked and threatened because the owner expressed his personal views. If Romney won't even stand up in situations like that, how can we expect him to stand up to anyone, including opposition in Congress, foreign leaders, or the enemy? Romney needs to do like Rush Limbaugh suggested and hire more people like John Sununu who isn't afraid to call Obama out. Romney needs to call Obama out on everything connected to Obama's past, his policies, his by-passing Congress, his connections, his failures. Now is not a time to be polite and meek, it is a time for boldness. I won't hold my breath.

The Right Planet : I don't think it's so much about "going negative" as it is turning the tables on your opponent. This is politics, not rocket science. The Obama camp is hurling everything from Romney killed some steel-worker's wife to alleging Mitt was part of the largest tax scheme in history--all blatant lies, by the way. It shouldn't be too hard to find some mud and throw it back harder and faster. Just don't lie! There's enough real muck on Obama and his minions to rack for decades to come.

You know, if the truth hurts Obama, then it is what it is--for example, the Obama camp freaking out over Romney's ad criticizing Obama gutting the work requirement form welfare reform. Pour it on, I say! Pour it on hot, thick and heavy ... and when the MSM and the Obama camp go apoplectic hearing it, like they are wont to do, then you'll know your arrows are hitting their mark. REJOICE! Then grab some more arrows out of your quiver and start firing again. Make 'em count! Get to work!

Well, there you have it.

Make sure to tune in every Monday for the Watcher’s Forum. And remember, every Wednesday, the Council has its weekly contest with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on Friday morning.

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