Debate sets scene for election

government elections have struggled to match - the first of three debates 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 much 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.

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

Trump came out swinging at the beginning of the debate, and made some effective points on the economy.

He hammered his themes, 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 taxes 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. For Trump his goal 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 came out the winner. As she told Trump during the debate "I prepared to be President. And that is a good thing."