Normally I write about things that are related to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in Utah. After last week's election, I came to the conclusion that this election cycle saw more spilt blood than any MMA event I have ever seen.
Many view MMA as 'No-Holds-Barred', but that would be an inaccurate statement. The sport has evolved from its roots, and now has many rules that make the sport safe and more palatable to viewers.
This past political cycle saw the 'Rules' of politics be completely thrown out the window, and the result sees our country completely fractured, much like a broken arm from an arm bar. The campaign was barely palatable, and as the rules became less and less clear, many tuned out.
President Obama typically likes to present himself as a man with a great deal of composure. He debates, or fights, in a very civilized fashion... at least he used to.
Leading up to the presidential debates, both candidates took jabs at one another through commercials, and through the press. For the most part, they were civil in their criticism of one another on face. They left the dirty boxing to their Super Pacs, and political allies. And believe me, it got REAL dirty.
As the debates grew near, the lines had already been drawn in the sand. There were few REAL 'undecided' voters. There were some claiming to be, but it is a safe statement that 95% of the population had chosen their fighter.
Round 1 saw Romney, an underdog at the polls, but a heavy favorite in revenues raised, come out swinging. He felt he had to throw out a few 'Zingers' to put him on to a level playing field with the President. After all, everyone knows you have to KO the champ in boxing. Never leave it to the judges to decide your fate, when trying to dethrone the top dog. That is exactly what Romney did. He came out swinging for the fences. Obama tried to maintain his composure and weather the storm. Left hook, right uppercut... blow after blow, Romney landed shots. Obama peppered back with a jab here and there, but for the most part, they missed the mark.
The week following Round #1, saw the Romney camp running around with their hands raised high in the air as if they had already won the fight. They could not have been farther from the truth. Only rank amateurs think the first round is indicative of what a ten round fight is going to be like. Newcomers are often lured into a false sense of security when fighting out of their league with early success. Many times, that is just an experienced fighter, feeling you out-looking for weaknesses, and preparing to pounce when the time is right. What the Romney camp DID guarantee with their first performance was that NOW the gloves would come off!
Obama went back to his corner with the information he needed and changed is fight style. Prior to that point Romney hadn't taken a stand on just about anything, leaving Obama with few weapons to use against him. Now, he had allowed Romney to expose a few weaknesses, that would pay dividends for the champion in later rounds. Obama was no longer a counter puncher. He now had weapons, and he saw openings he could exploit. In the debates to follow, he came out punching. There was little, to no, defense from either contestant. Bombs got dropped left and right. Romney was overwhelmed. He had hopped into the ring with a wily veteran, and didn't have the tools to compete.
What was most intriguing was the Romney camp's inability to see their shortcomings. They literally went into Election Day, thinking they were ahead on the judge's scorecards. They forgot about the most important element of the fight that judges look for... Ring Generalship. Obama had it, Romney didn't.
Romney had everything in his favor; a faltering economy, unemployment rates that are through the roof, recent incidents overseas that made the Obama administration look bad. It was the way Romney handled each of those elements that lost him the fight. Additionally, he tried to 'act presidential' in the last debate, thinking this would sway the judge's opinion of him. In essence, he thought if he acted like he had won, they would believe him.
Romney's mishandling of crucial elements of the campaign can be summarized here:
1. Romney was too quick to try to land the knockout blow on Benghazi. He knew he had Obama on the ropes, and couldn't resist going for the quick kill. This made him appear too rash, and unfit for the office of President.
2. On the economy, Romney wanted the judges to believe he was a better puncher, but never threw a punch. He gave no details of his 'Plan' other than he had one, and it was going to be good... after the fight. Everyone likes a good after party, but we paid to see the fight.
3. In the end, Romney switching from southpaw to traditional on too many issues would be his undoing. In a fight, you've got to stick to the game plan, but more importantly, you have to HAVE a game plan.
In the aftermath of the election Romney continues to point fingers at the Obama camp, claiming they went outside the rules. A fight is won in the ring, not in the press room after the final bell has rang.
Obama's experience, perseverance, superior execution of his technique won him the election.
This election's winner is... FIGHTING OUT OF THE BLUE CORNER... BARRACK 'POTUS' OBAMA!!!!!!!!
Many view MMA as 'No-Holds-Barred', but that would be an inaccurate statement. The sport has evolved from its roots, and now has many rules that make the sport safe and more palatable to viewers.
This past political cycle saw the 'Rules' of politics be completely thrown out the window, and the result sees our country completely fractured, much like a broken arm from an arm bar. The campaign was barely palatable, and as the rules became less and less clear, many tuned out.
President Obama typically likes to present himself as a man with a great deal of composure. He debates, or fights, in a very civilized fashion... at least he used to.
Leading up to the presidential debates, both candidates took jabs at one another through commercials, and through the press. For the most part, they were civil in their criticism of one another on face. They left the dirty boxing to their Super Pacs, and political allies. And believe me, it got REAL dirty.
As the debates grew near, the lines had already been drawn in the sand. There were few REAL 'undecided' voters. There were some claiming to be, but it is a safe statement that 95% of the population had chosen their fighter.
Round 1 saw Romney, an underdog at the polls, but a heavy favorite in revenues raised, come out swinging. He felt he had to throw out a few 'Zingers' to put him on to a level playing field with the President. After all, everyone knows you have to KO the champ in boxing. Never leave it to the judges to decide your fate, when trying to dethrone the top dog. That is exactly what Romney did. He came out swinging for the fences. Obama tried to maintain his composure and weather the storm. Left hook, right uppercut... blow after blow, Romney landed shots. Obama peppered back with a jab here and there, but for the most part, they missed the mark.
The week following Round #1, saw the Romney camp running around with their hands raised high in the air as if they had already won the fight. They could not have been farther from the truth. Only rank amateurs think the first round is indicative of what a ten round fight is going to be like. Newcomers are often lured into a false sense of security when fighting out of their league with early success. Many times, that is just an experienced fighter, feeling you out-looking for weaknesses, and preparing to pounce when the time is right. What the Romney camp DID guarantee with their first performance was that NOW the gloves would come off!
Obama went back to his corner with the information he needed and changed is fight style. Prior to that point Romney hadn't taken a stand on just about anything, leaving Obama with few weapons to use against him. Now, he had allowed Romney to expose a few weaknesses, that would pay dividends for the champion in later rounds. Obama was no longer a counter puncher. He now had weapons, and he saw openings he could exploit. In the debates to follow, he came out punching. There was little, to no, defense from either contestant. Bombs got dropped left and right. Romney was overwhelmed. He had hopped into the ring with a wily veteran, and didn't have the tools to compete.
What was most intriguing was the Romney camp's inability to see their shortcomings. They literally went into Election Day, thinking they were ahead on the judge's scorecards. They forgot about the most important element of the fight that judges look for... Ring Generalship. Obama had it, Romney didn't.
Romney had everything in his favor; a faltering economy, unemployment rates that are through the roof, recent incidents overseas that made the Obama administration look bad. It was the way Romney handled each of those elements that lost him the fight. Additionally, he tried to 'act presidential' in the last debate, thinking this would sway the judge's opinion of him. In essence, he thought if he acted like he had won, they would believe him.
Romney's mishandling of crucial elements of the campaign can be summarized here:
1. Romney was too quick to try to land the knockout blow on Benghazi. He knew he had Obama on the ropes, and couldn't resist going for the quick kill. This made him appear too rash, and unfit for the office of President.
2. On the economy, Romney wanted the judges to believe he was a better puncher, but never threw a punch. He gave no details of his 'Plan' other than he had one, and it was going to be good... after the fight. Everyone likes a good after party, but we paid to see the fight.
3. In the end, Romney switching from southpaw to traditional on too many issues would be his undoing. In a fight, you've got to stick to the game plan, but more importantly, you have to HAVE a game plan.
In the aftermath of the election Romney continues to point fingers at the Obama camp, claiming they went outside the rules. A fight is won in the ring, not in the press room after the final bell has rang.
Obama's experience, perseverance, superior execution of his technique won him the election.
This election's winner is... FIGHTING OUT OF THE BLUE CORNER... BARRACK 'POTUS' OBAMA!!!!!!!!
For more super awesome words of wisdom from Mike Stidham, visithttp://www.ultimatecombat.com
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