Kerry Joins Gore in Blaming Obama’s Weak Debate Performance on Altitude

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., has joined former Vice President Al Gore in attributing President Barack Obama’s desultory performance during the Oct. 3 debate in Denver, Colo. to the high altitude.

"I personally really do believe that the altitude may have had something to do with it," Kerry said in the Santa Fe New Mexican Wednesday.

Mitt Romney’s smashing victory in the Denver debate is credited with reviving his formerly beleaguered campaign. Kerry has impersonated Romney in Obama’s debate preparations.

Gore was widely ridiculed when he came up with the altitude excuse the day after the debate.

Kerry acknowledged that Obama’s indecision was a factor. "I . . . think he wasn't settled in his own mind completely on his strategy. And I think that held him back. I was surprised, obviously."

Things looked a lot better the night before the debate, Kerry said. “I thought we had a terrific night the night before when we went through it all, and everybody was a little surprised, and he was surprised."