Karl Rove: Romney 'must call out' Obama in debates

In a column for the Wall Street Journal, Karl Rove lays out he thinks Mitt Romney should do in the presidential debates (the first one is next Wednesday). Essentially, Rove says he should call President Obama a liar without actually calling him a liar.

"During these widely watched events, Mr. Romney must call out the president. That is not so easy: Mr. Romney can't call Mr. Obama a liar; that's too harsh a word that would backfire. Mr. Romney must instead set the record straight in a presidential tone—firm, respectful, but not deferential. And a dash of humor is worth its weight in gold.

"While Mr. Romney must point out the president's misrepresentations, he can't take on the role of fact-checker-in-chief. He should deal comprehensively with several of Mr. Obama's untruths and, having done so, dismiss the rest as more of the same."

Newt Gingrich offered his own debate tips to Romney yesterday.