Whether you think Romney won last night’s first Presidential debate of Election 2012 on style, or if you are left wondering at the calm demeanor displayed by President Obama, you must admit there were a preponderance of falsehoods uttered on that stage.  Whipsaw Willard was living large last night in Denver, just banging out the best performance of his life, even pushing the moderator around, evoking shades of Newt Gingrich in the primaries.  False statements notwithstanding, Mitt Romney is considered by the media as benefiting from his aggressive behavior at the debate.  This makes me wonder:  Is this truly an election where facts don’t matter?  All throughout our lives we are taught, along with our letters, numbers, and values not to lie.  Good people don’t try to trick others into believing what we know to be false.  Lies delivered boldly, and with conviction are still lies.  So why is Romney continually given a pass on blatantly false information?

You can review the litany of bull for yourself, with your own eyes.  The ‘fact-checkers’ have compiled a list, made the video available, and picked apart the performances of both participants here: Presidential Debate Fact-Check and Updates – Live Coverage – Election 2012 – NYTimes.com.

Personally, while watching the debate last night, it kind of made me feel like a kid again. It brought back memories of all the times I watched Wrestlemania, particularly of when the bad guy would wack the good guy with the obligatory folding chair, and then soundly abuse the referee when caught cheating.  But, the presidential race is not for entertainment, the outcome matters greatly.  Will Americans reward showmanship over reality and facts?

Even a simple soul like Big Bird of Sesame Street knows, it is wrong to lie just to get what you want.  Lies delivered boldly, and with great conviction are, at their heart, still lies.