In a stunning final minute flurry of punches, Barack Obama ended Mitt Romney’s hopes of becoming the next President of the United States last night at Hofstra University, New York.

 

 

The two men fought toe-to-toe all night, but in the end it was all about character. In a battle reminiscent of a heavyweight championship fight of old, Obama delivered the knockout punch in the 15^th round that ended Romney’s quest for the Presidency. Obama reminded those in attendance and a television audience around the world of the disparaging comments Romney had made behind closed doors at a huge fund raiser in Florida. It was at a lavish affair when Romney told his wealthy benefactors that he had already written off the poorest 47 percent of Americans. He would never get their vote, he said, because they are the kind of people who won’t take responsibility for their lives, people who think of themselves as victims. Obama reminded the audience that he was their President also, and they were honest workers, parents living with only Social Security income; disabled veterans returning home from combat; and our men and women who are in Afghanistan today defending our way of life.

 

 

The audience fell silent. Romney could say nothing. He had opened the door himself by stating that Obama had mischaracterized his comments. But in the age of television it was his moment of truth. The same TV cameras that he had hoped would win him the election, brought him down and ended the fight. Cameras do not lie. Ultimately, they reveal your soul.

 

 

In the days and weeks that follow, much will be written and said about these debates. And huge amounts of cash will continue to pour into a last ditch effort to salvage Romney’s campaign. But as the final count was ringing over Romney’s defeat, I could not help recalling the words of another British poet who reminded us:

 

 

…therefore do not send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee. –John Donne