https://pjmedia.com/spengler/2012/10/04/the-character-test-in-the-2012-election/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 02:45:54 -0400<![CDATA[The Romney the world saw at last night&#8217;s debate &#8212; confident, enthusiastic about his ideas, hopeful and articulate &#8212; is no stranger to those fortunate enough to have heard him speak in person during the past year. I reported in this space on a primary campaign breakfast in November 2011 where Romney won me over. What changed last night emphatically was not Mitt Romney. What changed is that we finally got to see the real Mitt Romney. The Republican candidate, that is, defined himself against Barack Obama, rather than allowing an overwhelmingly hostile media to define him. And Barack Obama, alone on the stage with his opponent, stripped of teleprompter and fawning media, revealed himself to be a fearful, petulant, petty man. Not only did Romney win; Obama lost.]]>Thu, 04 Oct 2012 05:40:17 -0400<![CDATA[David P. Goldman]]>https://pjmedia.com/david-p-goldman/2012/10/04/the-character-test-in-the-2012-election-n131054