THE CLINTON-TRUMP FACE-OFF

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump tangled in the first Presidential debate over trade, taxes and jobs. Here’s how they fared on five crucial parameters

HILLARY’S HEALTH

Trump continued to highlight concerns about Clinton’s physical condition, reminding voters she had been forced to curb campaigning. She could only cite her past activity.

BUT Trump undermined his message by sniffling throughout the debate

LIES SHALL BE TRUTH

Trump blatantly spoke untruths – including claims that he opposed US invasion of Iraq, that Clinton began the debate over Barack Obama’s supposed foreign birth etc. Clinton called him out on this.

BUT Trump could count on his white working class base taking him for his word as they believe all this too

FOREIGN HANDLING

Trump’s worldview remains an area where he is distinctly unpresidential. Even his most ardent supporters must have doubts about his “secret plan” to take out the Islamic State.

BUT Clinton’s claims to not support new trade agreements, opposed by unions, rang hollow.

WORKER FRIENDLY

Clinton showed up Trump’s poor record of treating his employees and paying taxes. This helped puncture his claims to be an anti-establishment, pro-worker candidate.

BUT Clinton Foundation’s millions make it impossible for her to shake the establishment tag.

TEMPER TEMPER

Trump boasted about having the right “temperament” for president and then ranted his claim to pieces. If he wanted to win fence sitting voters he missed a chance.

BUT Clinton, while showing her hold on policy, reminded everyone of their fifth grade school teacher.

“She doesn’t have the look. I said she doesn’t have the stamina. And I don’t believe she does have the stamina.” Donald Trump, Republican “As soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal... he can talk to me about stamina.” Hillary Clinton, Democrat

WASHINGTON: The Donald Trump that showed up at this presidential election’s most spectacular showdown so far was one everyone knows: combative, underprepared, easily riled and still, after months of campaigning, frequently off-message.

Hillary Clinton was also everything she was expected to be: well prepared — over-prepared, according one observer — ready with her policy and facts, answers rehearsed to fit the two-minute reply slot, and the right zingers, and plenty of them. They clashed on how they will create jobs, the first subject of the evening, and one of the main issues this election, trade, terrorism, Iran, racism, taxation, and their vision for the US.

Trump dominated the first 20 of the 90-minute debate. Clinton took charge then and had him defending himself for the rest, as only Trump could — interrupting her, talking over her.

So who won? Difficult to say. But here are some observations in the US media. “Clinton jabs put Trump on defense,” ran a headline in The Washington Post. The New York Times, which has endorsed Clinton, said in an editorial: “On balance, she pulled it off, swatting his attacks aside and confidently delivering her own criticisms from higher, firmer ground.” Wall Street Journal agreed: “There’s little doubt that Mrs. Clinton won on debating points.”

Though this debate may not move the needle significantly in a race that has tightened into a dead heat — Clinton’s lead is down to 2.3 points in RealClearPolitics average of polls— some observers said it could stop Trump’s surge.