Romney thrashed 0bama in their first debate. Then that “hell hath no fury’ thing from 0bama quickly put the fear into Romney and, quaking in his boots, he took a dive in the last two debates. Fearsome is a good quality to have. Romney ain’t got it.
That whole thing really smacked of the Powers That Be saying after the first debate: "Back off, Mitt - this office isn't for you."