[CaptainHaplo]

These three debates were an object lesson in strategy.

If Romney wins the election - and I suspect he will by a suprising margin, this will be an example of how one resounding victory followed by what is technically 2 draw's - can still end up as lasting win.

No question that Romney cleaned Obama's clock the first go round.

While many on the right wanted to see him do it again in the second debate, both men looked more like kids on a playground trying to one-up the other. 1/3 saw it as a Romney win, 1/3 saw it as a Obama win, and 1/3 saw it as a tie. That makes it a wash. Neither side really did much to the other in the larger scheme of things.

The third round was probably the most dangerous for both candidates. Obama needed to halt the momentum Romney has had, and Romney had to tie foreign policy into his "strength" - which is primarily economic. The problem is that while Obama looked a little more "in the know" on some foreign policy issues, Romney was close enough to him to be seen as a serious contender for Commander in Chief without seeming hawkish.

Ultimately - the economy still figured largely, so while Obama took swipes at Romney, the line "Attacking me isn't a foreign policy for the future" kept Obama from making many inroads. Given that foreign policy is truly a secondary issue this election, on balance the third debate was pretty much an even outcome.

So - in just a little less than 2 weeks - we will find out if sometimes simply "not losing" is a victory.