Let me finish tonight with this.
Here we go. Tonight’s the night, the heavyweight championship. President Obama knows the challenge; so does Mitt Romney.
I have a sense that the challenger—that’s Governor Romney—may go for the knockout. Why? Because everyone thinks he will merely try to subdue the President, keep him from a significant comeback victory.
So what happens if Obama comes into the arena tonight knowing he must win, and Romney determined (“resolute” is his word) to do again what he managed two weeks ago? What happens then?
A true heavyweight bout, a real reach for greatness on the same night by the two men—one of whom will take the oath on January 20 and the one who won’t, perhaps the one—that would be President Obama—who will have to sit there across from the one who does.
Tonight we will learn how smart President Obama is, how tough a performer Governor Romney is, and which of these two assets will conquer.
Surely a night to remember—a night even more to matter.
Chris Matthews