Clinton Trumps rival in first debate

It was billed as one of the most eagerly anticipated debates in modern political history and it didn’t disappoint.

United States Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican Party nominee Donald Trump’s first debate was a spirited and sometimes comical affair and tackled three broad themes.

‘‘America’s direction,’’ ‘‘achieving prosperity’’ and ‘‘securing America’’ were, of course, tailor-made for American voters, but the candidates’ answers strongly suggested impacts that could be felt farther afield.

Trump, as expected, was not as prepared as Clinton, often repeating himself and interrupting moderator Lester Holt. His answers were erratic and sometimes awkward.

Any pleasantries the pair exchanged when they walked on stage did not last.

Clinton’s experience shined throughout the debate. As predicted, she was well-prepared and came across as knowledgeable.

Trump came out swinging and made some effective points on the economy.

He used the debate to hammer campaign themes, such as calling for a return to ‘‘law and order’’ and vowing to bring jobs back to America.

Early in the debate, the American businessman botched a question about his tax returns and instead went on the defence, saying he’ll defy his lawyers’ advice and release his taxe details if Clinton releases the 33,000 emails she erased.

Many times the debate veered into personal shots with Trump claiming Clinton didn’t have the stamina to be president – surely a hamfisted, coded reference to her gender rather than her staying power.

Clinton gave as good as she got, having a pot-shot at Trump’s temperament, saying ‘‘a man who can be provoked by a tweet should not have his finger anywhere near the nuclear codes’’.

When things became too policyorientated, Trump became bored and resorted to eye-rolling and smirking. Clinton, on the other hand, was composed, even pleasant.

If it came down to body language, Clinton was a clear winner.

In pre-debate spin, commentators said each candidate had one clear goal.

Trump’s was to prove he had the temperament to run the country. Clinton’s was to be personable.

While Trump may have kept his constituency with his performance yesterday, there are doubts he would have pulled anyone over to his side.

Clinton, on the other hand, may have reeled in some on-the-fence voters.

At the end, the polls showed Clinton was the winner.

As she told Trump during the debate: ‘‘I prepared to be President. And that is a good thing.’’