This clip from the memorable first Massachusetts Senatorial debate between Ted Kennedy and Mitt Romney on October 25, 1994 is a revealing one. Contrast Senator Kennedy's candid and poignant response to the question, "What is your greatest personal failing?" with the Miss America-type canned response Mitt Romney tried to give, before the moderator cut him off in mid-sentence as the audience began to howl with laughter.

Things really haven't changed much in the nearly 20 years since.