5 points Clinton, Trump scored off each other in US presidential debate
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton traded barbs in a fiery US presidential debate that included discussion on the candidates’ policies on economy, terrorism and racism.
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton traded barbs in a fiery US presidential debate on Monday that included discussion on the candidates’ policies on economy, terrorism and racism. The first woman Democrat nominee to the White House, Clinton, arguably clinched the first presidential debate as she fired facts and policy measures at the billionaire Republican. Trump, however, was quick to retort with counter accusation, bringing up the email server scandal and the Iran nuclear deal frequently.
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Here are 5 points scored by both candidates:
Hillary’s health Trump highlighted concerns about Clinton’s physical condition, reminding voters that she had been forced to curb her campaigning. She could only cite her past activity.
BUT Trump undermined his message by sniffling throughout the debate.
Lies shall be truth: Trump blatantly denied facts, sticking to lies he had made during his campaign. These included claims that he had opposed the US invasion of Iraq, that Clinton began the debate over Barack Obama’s supposed foreign birth and so on. Clinton repeatedly called him out on this.
BUT Trump can count on his white working class voter base believing his word despite all the fact-checks.
Worker friendly: Clinton did a good job of showing up Trump’s poor record of treating his own employees and his history of (not?) paying taxes. This helped puncture his claims to be an anti-establishment, pro-worker candidate.
BUT the smell of Wall Street and the Clinton Foundation’s millions still makes it impossible for the Democrat to shake the establishment tag.
Foreign handling: Trump’s world view is considered unpresidential. Even his most ardent supporters must have doubts about his “secret plan” to take out the Islamic State. And the 400-pound hacker he posited as an alternative to Russian hackers will be the stuff of late night comics.
BUT Clinton’s claims to not support new trade agreements, opposed by unions, rang hollow too.
Tempered temperament: Trump boasted about having the right “temperament” for becoming the US president and then ranted his claim to pieces. He was on even keel for about 30 minutes and then galloped off the range for the rest of the debate. If he wanted to win undecided voters, he missed a chance.
BUT Clinton, while again showing a remarkable hold on detailed policy issues, still reminded everyone of their fifth grade school teacher.
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