I think Trump started really well, which is good for him since most people are tuning out after 30 mins. Very confident and good communicator on his economics positions. After that he lost his discipline and devolved into his polarizing self.
He left a lot of opportunities on the table, e.g. going hard on e-mail (he did pretty well on that but not enough), Benghazi, Clinton Foundation. And while he certainly knows his attack on issues such as ISIS and his relations with African Americans (his work in Palm Beach), he fumbled his answers. He also didn't have an elegant response to the inevitable taxes, racism, and sexism accusations...that's inexcusable. You should have those written on the palm of your hand.
Hillary was Hillary. She's not a great debater. She's not Abraham Lincoln up there. She did well to dodge the e-mail issues. This debate isn't going to change anyone's opinion, and I don't think it had a material effect on the current dynamics of the Trump momentum shift.
So...IMHO it's a push. This was Trump's first debate. He should do better on the 2nd.
I honestly think as long as Trump doesn't implode before November his momentum will be enough to win a close election. That's all Hillary can hope for - for Trump to implode. He didn't. Even if all the debates go the same way, I don't think it would be enough to stop his momentum.
He doesn't need to "beat" Hillary in these debates. If he doesn't implode and reveal another level of crazy...he could win a close race. If he shows some presidential presence and gets Hillary to defend her e-mail, I think his momentum picks up and wins. That should be his goal and he did that tonight for the first 20 mins. If he actually starts beating Hillary in the debates he'll rake in the swing states and it's over - that's day dreaming though.
Last edited: Sep 26, 2016