Will the real Mitt Romney please stand up?

Who did we see behind the podiums at the first presidential debate in Denver? Where was the sure-worded, powerful speaker President Obama we knew and loved? Who was this convincing, charismatic, loose, Republican candidate? To the casual political observer it seemed that Obama didn’t have his homework done while Governor Romney had exceeded expectations for preparedness going in to the debate.

This simply isn’t true.

How are you supposed to rebut points that have never been made before? In the blink of an eye the whole Romney/Ryan presidential ticket transformed from one infused with the principles of the republican platform to one with moderate, centrist ideals that haven’t been part of the Romney campaign to date.

All of a sudden Romney’s healthcare plan does not discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions. Suddenly Romney’s tax plan will not incorporate tax cuts for the rich. Suddenly Romney does not plan on reducing the size of Medicare or other government welfare programs.

To those claiming that Romney won the debate I say this: responding to Obama’s criticisms of his platform with statements that aren’t true does not a winner make.

Saying inconsistent things to “win” one debate may not be the best strategy, Willard. Instead it raised countless doubts in my mind. Who did we see on Wednesday at the University of Denver?

This sudden change of heart to appeal to the middle-class he knew he needed in order to gain rapidly slipping ground in the polls got me thinking. Which Romney will we see tomorrow? Which Romney will we see at the next debate? With his uncanny ability to appeal to the certain audience at each different event, Romney shows that he will do anything to gain the support of those listening—a political chameleon if you will.

Most importantly, which Romney will we see if we elect him to office? That’s one roll of the dice I’m not willing to make.