Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) on Thursday granted that Mitt Romney had a good night in the previous evening's presidential debate, but said he expected President Obama to bounce back, noting that "fortunately we have a few more rounds."
"Gov. Romney is certainly a skilled debater and last night he was able to elevate his performance," O’Malley, a prominent surrogate for Obama, told CNN’s “Starting Point."
He sought to downplay what many have considered a win for the GOP challenger. "This was the first day in many days that was not a disaster for the Romney campaign in many weeks," O'Malley said.
Polls of debate viewers immediately following the event indicated the widespread opinion that Romney won, and even
liberal pundits were expressing disappointment with Obama's performance.
O’Malley reiterated the explanations that Obama's team had used to lower expectations ahead of the debate, saying "the challenger has an edge in that first debate." But he also charged Romney with failing to provide enough detail of his "secret plan" to improve the economy, grow jobs and reduce the deficit.
"He still skated and danced and tap-danced around how it is he is going to cut taxes for millionaires and billionaires without that having an effect on the budget," he said.
Obama pressed Romney on that topic during the debate, as well, charging that the GOP ticket's plans would shoulder the middle class with a larger tax burden. Romney denied those charges, saying his plans for across-the-board rate cuts would not expand the deficit and would work by eliminating tax code loopholes benefiting the wealthy.
O’Malley denied that Romney's debate performance would have much influence on the polls, which have recently given Obama the lead in the race.
"I don't believe that you'll see a big change in the dynamics of the race," he said.
