WHAT THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SHOWS US
Even Donald Trump knew he lost the all-important first 2016 one-on-one presidential debate with Hillary Clinton.
On the morning after, Trump was clearly on the defensive, whining about the debate moderator, complaining about his microphone and threatening to make Bill Clinton’s marital infidelity a campaign issue.
(Here’s a pop quiz for the homework-challenged Trump: On what ballot this year is Bill Clinton’s name? And before you get carried away with the sound of your own voice, on what ballot are the names of your wife and two ex-wives?)
Lightweight stuff aside, Americans on Monday night got a full face of Donald J. Trump’s unpresidential temperament, aversion to facts, allergy to homework, disdain for women, dismissal of African-Americans, rudeness and, frankly, his own lack of stamina on the debate stage.
On the other hand, the nation heard from Clinton — a wonk’s wonk — some snippets of explanation about her platform policies, along with her acknowledgement yet again that she made a mistake with her emails for which she takes responsibility.
Meanwhile Trump — to a question about “racial healing” — told Americans that he has “nothing to say” about his pursuit of smearing the first African-American president with false “birther” claims. As race relations continue to be an important issue in this country, the message was clear that Trump intends to continue sticking his finger in the eyes of more than 12 percent of Americans.
“Just listen to what you heard,” Clinton told the audience when it was her turn to speak.
She deftly moved the jobs and trade conversation (“we are 5 percent of the world’s population; we have to trade with the other 95 percent”) to taxes — those that Trump doesn’t pay. And because the Donald can’t be quiet, he piped up with an admission: “That makes me smart.”
Later, when Trump returned to his claims that Clinton doesn’t “look” presidential and “lacks stamina,” she smiled and handed the dismissal right back to him: “Well, as soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, a cease-fire, a release of dissidents, an opening of new opportunities in nations around the world, or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina.”
Another high moment for Clinton followed Trump’s reference to her taking days off from the campaign trail (more code for her woman-ness).
Clinton, looking into the camera with an ever-so-slight nod, replied: “I think Donald just criticized me for preparing for this debate. And, yes, I did. And you know what else I prepared for? I prepared to be president. And I think that’s a good thing.”
It was an especially pointed comment given Trump’s obvious lack of preparedness — both for the debate and for the presidency.
Clinton was charming. She was an explainer. She had amazing control, and she drove this debate from minute one to its end. She was a strong, professional woman who will make a great president.
Switch to Trump: Yelling at Clinton, he all but hyperventilated incoherently about whether he supported the invasion of Iraq (he did), and how he would make NATO countries pay for protection and who was hacking the Democratic National Committee. (“It also could be somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds, OK?”) Huh?
Minutes later he shouts, “I think my strongest asset, maybe by far, is my temperament. I have a winning temperament. I know how to win.”
As the Trump surrogates lined up to try putting a happy face on Trump’s dismal performance, one after another complained that Clinton was “rehearsed.”
Well, yes. She was rehearsed. Thank goodness. We applaud that. Somebody had to be. These two people are auditioning for the most important job in the world — president of the United States of America. We expect some rehearsal and some preparation. We expect some truth and some judgment and some temperament And we certainly didn’t see any of that from Donald J. Trump.
In retrospect, maybe his microphone was defective. Because it broadcast loud and clear everything he said — every one of the 51 times he interrupted his opponent (she interrupted him 17 times, according to Vox), every time he sniffed and groaned and huffed and fudged the truth.
Once again, we see who Donald Trump is, and he’s not fit to be president.