The Curious Incident of the Mud Not Thrown

Sometimes turning points in presidential campaigns are scarcely noted at the time. Because they're events that didn't happen, a low road not taken, a tactic not employed, a decisive mistake not made. Like last week's non-event in Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

Told of a great big, $10 million mudball some of his backers were prepared to throw at his opponent, Mr. Romney said no thank you. Very much.

Naturally, the plan was leaked to the New York Times, the country's leading source of news that never happened, and in this case isn't about to. Here was the candidate's big chance to encourage the lunatic fringe of American politics -- these days it's called energizing the base -- and take up an issue that had lain dormant for four years, and proven a loser even when it was in the headlines. Romney wants the campaign run on the issues, not on the past or an off subject present. He's wise to leave that to Odimwit!