Do you feel better or worse than Obama's first debate with Romney?

[MaryMagdaline]

I felt worse with Obama’s performance. The economy had not fully recovered, and I was scared we would lose. It’s tough for a working president to run the country and prepare for debate. The unemployed guy is always better.

Oh, and John Kerry and Walter Mondale kicked ass.

[emulatorloo]

1. Worse w Obama. Similar situation, Romney lied about everything, but Romney didn't go unhinged at the end like Trump did

Trump got Trumpier and Trumpier as the evening went on, Biden got stronger.

Chris Hayes pointed out Trump got more and more self absorbed as the night went on, and voters remember that about Trump and don’t like it.

[Frasier Balzov]

2. At least with Barack Obama

I still felt that the incumbency was a significant advantage.

[ITAL]

3. This was way worse

Just because of the stakes. Romney never would have made himself into some sort of dictator.

[Mersky]

11. Yeah, well, they never even asked about Project 2025

Or the Heritage Foundation.

For starters, Obama didn’t have a cold. This was done as though tRump has a normal policy platform, and is a normal presidential candidate. He. Is. Not.

My support for Obama didn’t waver, and at the same time Mitt didn’t seem to want to tear down the country like his company, Bain Capital, tore down Toys R’ Us.

[Music Man]

4. These are important points.

Incumbents frequently have terrible first debates. Reagan, Bush II, and Obama.

Unfortunately, this one makes me sicker than Obama's performance because the stakes are so high.

I also hate MAGA types getting any kind of satisfaction.

[alarimer]

5. Worse

Romney was never an existential threat.

[Tribetime]

6. Way way way worse you can't correct age..he can't win

[FBaggins]

7. Entirely different situations I'm afraid

Obama was up substantially and just needed to avoid falling in his face in the debates. “Losing” the debate wasn’t much of a threat to him.

Biden is currently behind and trump’s (perhaps only) conviction doesn’t appear to be hurting that. If the debate has a negative impact, the risk is far higher

[appmanga]

8. I feel worse...

...but it doesn't matter. I know that if Donald Trump gets elected, our run as a democracy is over. The christo-fascists have already made great inroads and all they need is the vessel that will help them get over the finish line and Trump is that vessel. The combination of Trump and the American Taliban has to be stopped or for most of us, our lives will be destroyed. I truly believe that and I'm not given to panic or hyperbole. And to simply go somewhere else will not be much of an answer because when the U.S. catches a cold, the world gets pneumonia. If we don't beat these people back with votes, any future fight will be harder and much more costly.

[tman]

9. Obama went on to win the other two debates.

Something tells me there won't be any more trump/biden debates.

[shrike3]

12. There will. Backing out would look much worse.

Welcome to DU. A rules review is always a good idea.

[standingtall]

10. I don't know

Obama was a lot younger when Romney lied through his teeth and failed to call him on it. Biden was hoarse, because had a cold and stumbled words a lot. He was always had stuttering problem. He usually has 1 or 2 of those moments in debates, but tonight he had to many of them.