Now while all the GOP are beating their chest over Romney's performance here's an interesting article I am quoting from a person by the name of Susan Estrich:
Walter Mondale won his first debate against Ronald Reagan in 1984.
John Kerry won his first debate against George W. Bush.
Mitt Romney won his first debate against Barack Obama.
When you win you get lots of congratulations. When you lose, you get lots of advice. President Obama, I am certain is getting lots of advice. The expectations for Romney will be higher in the next debate. Obama will be more passionate, more assertive and more engaged.
I totally agree with her assumption- Mondale and Kerry were both in similar positions as Romney- Mondale had the advantage to attack Reagan on the economy(UE was still high, inflation etc). Kerry had the advantage of attacking Bush on the economy and the very unpopular Iraq war- but we see the results of those 2 elections.