Romney didn't out debate Obama. That's a myth perpetuated by the media because Romney's APPEARANCE was poised and confident and he actually attempted to answer questions instead of dodging them. He still switched his opinion from what he said before, and he didn't answer questions to the fullest extent he should have. That doesn't mean you out debated someone - it just means you provided a lot of flash and little substance, and stupid people and the media bought the flash anyway.
As for appearing as a "boring cold-hearted buffoon", I don't think any of the debates did much to dispel that myth FOR THOSE who believed it in the first place. Romney didn't seem exciting or warm-hearted in any of the debates, and he certainly stumbled his fair share.
I still hear many people talking of fear of Romney. I'm not sure if you're surrounded by those speaking partisan rhetoric all the time or what, but many people don't trust Romney's agenda. He's got a five point plan, but he never explained how he plans to actually make it work. Just like Mike Tyson says, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. It sounds to an objective viewer of the debates (like myself) that if Romney gets into office, he will get "punched in the face" and go down like a sack of potatoes.
Swamp I'm honestly trying to consider your opinions here, but they seem like the rantings of a die-hard Romney supporter to this unbiased observer (who was undecided on the election until the first debate concluded).