'I'm able to do different styles': Trump says he prefers first debate performance over being calm and measured
‘I thought I did great, there are certain groups of very aggressive people that loved the first debate’
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump said his wild performance at the first debate was better for life but that his change of strategy against Joe Biden in the final debate was more popular.
At the Israel-Sudan peace deal announcement the morning after the final debate, Mr Trump was asked how much of his "calm and measured" performance was strategy or playing by the rules.
"I think the other's more effective, in terms of business and life. The first one, I thought I did great, there are certain groups of very aggressive people that loved the first debate," Mr Trump said.
"But I think this was better, this was obviously a more popular way of doing it and no I think I wanted to play by the rules, they felt very strongly about it, it's two different styles, I'm able to do different styles, you know, if you had to. But this seemed to be much more popular."
Asked if he would do another debate, the president said he was willing to go up against Mr Biden again but that he didn't see any reason to.
"I think we're leading in a lot of states that you don't know about. Your pollsters may be the worst there are by the way," Mr Trump said.
While more than 55 million people watched the final debate on Thursday night, that is seven million less than saw Mr Trump’s more aggressive posture during the first debate, according to preliminary Nielsen TV ratings.
Veteran pollster Frank Luntz said that Mr Trump’s refined style was too little too late and that it was “virtually impossible” to get re-elected in 11 days time.
“You got to give Trump a minor victory because he’ll bring some [undecided] voters home, and it’ll close the race a little bit. But in the end, I think Joe Biden won the war,” Mr Luntz said in a “Squawk Box” interview.
He said Mr Trump started off the debate calmer but continued to grow more agitated as the night went on, with the president being negative on the final question, while Mr Biden answered positively, showing why the Democrat would remain ahead for the remainder of the race.
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