Round One
Well, round one is over! In what may be the most watched presidential debate in history, I think both sides did what they had to do. Mrs. Clinton needed to show that she had some “oomph” in her, and she did that. Mr. Trump needed to show that he had “presidential demeanor” in him, and he did that. Both candidates showed that NEITHER ONE was a pushover.
I’ve heard some commentators bemoan a “breakdown of decorum” by both parties. I disagree. I think both candidates had points to make, and they did so with an acceptable level of restraint.
I think Clinton did well in appearing prepared, if, maybe a little too “scripted.” She did often read from notes and rattle off less than interesting points. Trump did well in appearing authentic and direct. He stuck to straightforward points with a clear message and got that all across. Almost a bit Reaganesque. And, importantly, he didn’t get
“rattled.”
Clinton did less well in defending her history of very poor decision making: healthcare, the Iran deal, NAFTA, Libya, and others. Trump said it well: “Yes she has had experience. But it’s BAD experience.” Point very well taken.
Trump did less well in justifying his tax return secrecy, where he offered, really, no explanation. I personally feel that he has a right to keep his returns private, like I have a right to keep mine private. However, his non explanation did nothing to ward off his adversaries on this point. That issue would, however, give him an entrè vous to one of the evening’s few true zingers: “I’ll release my taxes when you release those thirty thousand emails!” The audience went wild with that one, a very nice riposte.
Clinton seemed to return over and over to the theme that she would have better presidential “style”, or as she put it: “Words matter.” Trump’s general response was, that with Clinton, “It’s all words.” Implying that what you do is more important.
I think Clinton’s worst performance of the night was, not surprisingly, her attempt to defend her ridiculous positions on law and order. She offered nostrums like “building community relations” to get, presumably, the criminals, to better respect our police! And “better training” of our officers to get the community to, I suppose, LIKE them more. How this would stop crime was not ever explained.
In terms of personality profile, I think that Clinton seemed to me to have lost ground. She came off as much more petty, a much “smaller” personality, if you will. She had a constant smirk on her face, and an obviously condescending attitude. She kept referring to Trump inappropriately as “Donald” whereas he referred to her, much more appropriately, as “Secretary Clinton”. I think the audience caught on.
On the whole I don’t think Clinton lost any of her supporters tonight, but she didn’t gain any either. On the other hand, I don’t think Trump lost any of his supporters, but may have gained some when all is said and done. In this tight a race, those extra votes might make a very big difference.