There are a couple of especially useful tools when under the kind of attack Romney had directed at him tonight–humor and/or outrage. Romney didn’t deploy either of them, either because they are not readily at his disposal or because he had made a strategic choice not to. What he had instead was a command of policy details and an incredibly even temperament. Both are important and admirable qualities, but probably not sufficient when people are questioning your character. I could be wrong and maybe the after-debate over the debate will bounce in an unexpected way, but I think Romney had a tough night.