I agree with you on the shallow narrow politics of the moment, but I profoundly disagree on the bigger picture. Just like the economy in the ditch, the causes are all liberal and the solutions all conservative. When we ignore these truths in an attempt to sneak through a debate, we weaken our ability to actually correct the problems in the long run. It was Bush Cheney Rumsfeld conservatism that led to Osama’s killing, period. Obama liberalism stood in the way, before he finally carried it out. Truth matters.
But yes, you did point out the purely political calculations Mitt made.
Gosh - almost like putting a bag of dog crap on a porch, lighting it and ringing the doorbell. If Mitt had changed the tune to talking about the Bush-Cheney conservatism that led upt to Osama's demise, it would have been a disaster - truth be damned. Mitt understands that and his folks understand how to best try to oust Zero. "Sneaking" through a debate laden with land mines would seem to be the smart way to go unless you're a Thelma and Louise type...