WASHINGTON — Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie boldly guaranteed yesterday that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will win Wednesday’s first debate — while every other official from both campaigns tried to lower expectations.
The tough-talking governor declared that Romney, who is trailing in national and swing-state polls, will turn the race “upside down” after the showdown in Denver.
“I think what we need is a big and bold performance Wednesday night, and that’s what he’s going to give us,” Christie said on ABC’s “This Week.”
“This whole race is going to turn upside down come Thursday morning,” Christie also told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
Romney’s running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), dismissed concerns that a poor performance by Romney could result in donors and grass-roots support abandoning his campaign.
“I don’t think one event is going to make or break this campaign,” Ryan said on “Fox News Sunday.” “We’ve had some missteps, but at the end of the day the choice is really clear.”
Democrats also tamped down the expectations for President Obama — with one top White House adviser even saying Romney has the advantage over the incumbent Obama.
“Challengers tend to do really well in debates. That’s been the history,” White House adviser David Plouffe said on ABC’s “This Week.”
“We believed all along that Governor Romney probably has more benefit out of this debate potentially than we do.”
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who debated Romney extensively during the GOP primaries, said on “Face the Nation” that the debates “matter psychologically to the country.
“They’re the most single- viewed event of the campaign.”
Ryan said he doesn’t expect gaffe-prone Vice President Joe Biden to stumble in their Oct. 11 debate.
“The gaffes — he’s kind of legendary for this — that’s not in these kinds of situations,” Ryan said.
“He’s fast on the cuff. He’s a witty guy. He knows who he is, and he’s been doing this for 40 years, so you’re not going to rattle Joe Biden.”
Meanwhile, both Ryan and Christie explained Romney’s recent comment that “47 percent” of Americans are dependent on the government.
Christie called the words “inartful” and “inelegant” while Ryan labeled them “inarticulate.”