Pancake Breakfast Debate

Mitt Romney did exactly what he needed to do to get back into the presidential race. He did he ever do it in unexpected style!<br /> He had to explain in common everyday terms most citizens and voters could understand the actual fallacies in Obama's financial policies and more importantly exactly how his approaches would work. Some examples:<br /> Obama continued to insist repeatedly Romney was not increasing to a "fair share" the taxes the wealthy was paying and it was at the expense of the middle class. Romney patiently explained that he would cut tax rates for ALL American taxpayers by 10 percent to stimulate job growth. Obama again jumped on the "47 percent" statement Romney made on a secretly recorded speech to a private group that dogged him the past couple of months. Romney said most of them needed and have wanted jobs and the stimulation should help them, perhaps more than other wage groups. Many in that group were retired and not in the job market.<br /> Obama lamented Romney would take away Medicare for the elderly as we know it and instead give recipients flat rate vouchers for them to use to buy their own health insurance in the private market where competition should provide diversified programs and lower rates than the Medicare tax. Romney acknowledged that option but reminded for the umpteenth time that the plan did NOT include the current recipients and those down to about ages 50-55. They can continue the present program AND those not currently getting the benefits could have the option to convert.<br /> That's a short, partial summary of the 90 minute debate but gives you who didn't watch it an idea of how it went. I was watching on CBS. They had recruited a group of 400 pronounced undecided voters scientifically nationally selected in accordance with state populations to call collect a dedicated phone bank number answering whether or not the debate had made up or changed their minds and if so in whose favor. Those answers startled me. 66 percent found for Romney, 26 percent for Obama and the remaining few still undecided. It's going to be interesting to see what the polls (particularly Gallup and Rasmussen) show in the next few days.<br /> Fellow Kiwanian and incoming Hall County Commission chairman Dick Mecum and I went to Myers Elementary School on Candler Road to distribute dictionaries to all the third grade students, a club project. Enroute and during breakfast while waiting on them to finish a test, we talked about the debates. He watched on Fox News. He said they had a similar though considerably smaller in number poll that produced an even bigger than CBS's 66 percent 400 person percentage in favor of Romney. <br /> This, more than either of the two remaining debates, was a had-to-win debate. Of course, Obama could rebound and do better on the following two, but Romney showed he could hold his own. I feel better about his chances now than ever before. (Remember, I have had doubts he could beat Obama from the start but was pulling for him from the moment he cinched the nomination.)<br /> Changing the subject, Saturday, Oct 13 is the date for the "must attend" social event of the year, the Gainesville Kiwanis pancake breakfast held for more than 50 years. More than 2,000 people generally attend eating there and socializing with friends and meeting strangers, and some more coming and taking the breakfast home to eat. Kiwanians come from all walks of life, doctors, dentists, realtors, accountants, retailers, morticians, service providers, insurance agents, bankers, etc. etc. They greet, cook and serve pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs and toast. The Kiwanis-sponsored high school youth division Key Clubs and college Circle K clubs wait the tables and man the line where you can get orange juice, coffee, cream, sugar, forks, knives and spoons. They also keep the tables supplied with syrup, refills, etc. etc. They clean the tables after you leave to make room for the others. Serving starts and 7 a.m. and lasts until 11 a.m.<br /> Door prizes are drawn and given all through the morning. There's musical entertainment. Most local and some state politicians always are there and except for when they come in to eat, they have to do their campaigning outside the dining room. <br /> Tickets are $5 each and are available from every Kiwanis member or can be bought at the door. Particularly if you are a newcomer, trust me; this you don't want to miss! See you there Sat. Oct. 13.

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