Posted by Behold the Rope-A-Dope:
The rope-a-dope is performed by a boxer assuming a protected stance (in Ali’s classic pose, lying against the ropes; by leaning against the ropes, much of the punch’s energy is absorbed by the ropes’ elasticity rather than the boxer’s body) while allowing his opponent to hit him, providing only enough counter-attack to avoid the referee thinking the boxer is no longer able to continue and thus ending the match via technical knockout. The plan is to cause the opponent to “punch himself out” and make mistakes which the boxer can then exploit in a counter-attack.
Used to high effect by President Obama in the recently concluded US Presdiential Election.
President Obama lost the first debate.
The polls narrowed. Republicans were energized, arrogant even, about their chances for victory. Their internal numbers and pundits foresaw a win. Governor Romney expanded his efforts into Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, among other pipe dreams, in a vainglorious attempt to score an even more decisive win.
President Obama ‘righted’ the ship in the next two debates and focused his ground game where it mattered most – Ohio, Colorado, Virginia, etc.
Result: 332 to 206. Ding ding ding.
