BILL KRISTOL: Yeah, I think Donald Trump choked actually. I say this because Donald Trump said Mitt Romney choked in 2012. Mitt Romney had a fantastic debate performance in the first debate. 



CHUCK TODD (HOST): He prepared.

 

KRISTOL: And pretty strong throughout. I mean he lost the campaign for various reasons, but Mitt Romney on the stage for three times, 90 minutes -- 270 minutes and did pretty well against a very debater, President Obama. And what's interesting is it wasn't inevitable that Trump would do quite as badly as he did. The evidence was in the first 25 minutes. We basically -- I don't think the arguments are right, about trade, but he stayed on message, he pummeled Hillary Clinton for what he thought was a winning issue on his side of trade, and tied it effectively to the change versus status quo issue. He could have done that for the next hour. Every question whatever it is he could say “Look, we can get into that later or two sentences to discuss what I said about birthers. But you know what? This is about the future and here's the question you have to face American voters. Do you want more of the same? That's Secretary Clinton.  Do you want change? Do you want to shake up Washington?  Change immigration policy?” An issue that was not mentioned. Not do foolish things like Obamacare. An issue he never mentioned. Maybe Lester Holt wasn't so nice to him, but he could have pivoted off of every question.

Previously: 

MSNBC's Scarborough: By “Past Debate Standards” Clinton Won, “But You Don't Judge Donald Trump By Those Standards”

Even Frank Luntz's Focus Group Overwhelmingly Says Clinton Won The Debate

CNN Focus Group Declares Hillary Clinton The Winner Of The First Debate