Social media and traditional media are buzzing about the Iowa debate. It isn't necessarily about who won or lost, which issues were covered, or what's going to happen in the Iowa caucus in three weeks. The buzz is all about the $10,000 bet Mitt Romney tried to make with Rick Perry.

People are up in arms over it. They are pointing to how shallow he was for offering what amounts to 3-months salary for the average American. They look at his outstretched hand and see a casual gesture highlighting the millionaire's riches, separating himself from the middle class even more than he already has. They're saying he's detached from the realities of working Americans, that he's a true Washington and Wall Street insider who couldn't appreciate the day-to-day struggles of average citizens.

All of this may be true, but it's likely true of all of them (yes, even Ron Paul). No presidential candidate in the last 3 decades has had his or her finger on the true pulse of America and it could be argued that it's a good thing. Reality might hamper their ability to lead.

No, the real problem with the bet is the fact that he tried to make it. The President must have a filter in place that prevents him or her from making those kinds of PR mistakes. The President must be able to maintain complete control and do nothing to alienate whoever he or she is talking to whether it's a visiting dignitary or an opposing candidate.

Making such an attention-grabbing mistake is something that put President George W. Bush' career back a few notches in the history books, leaving his legacy mostly negative even to those who supported his policies. It's what Presidents such as Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton were, for the most part, able to avoid.

We want passion in a President. We want leadership abilities. We want good ideas, the ability to reach across the aisle to make things happen, and a willingness to step out for what's right even if it's going to make some people upset.

What we don't want is someone who doesn't have the presence of mind on stage to avoid making such a bone-headed comment. If he doesn't recognize the insult he's making to the American people with such a flippant response during a debate, how can we trust that he won't do something as casually catastrophic when talking to Putin, Netanyahu, or Ahmadinejad.

We can't.