Debate answers few of nation’s big questions
For many years now presidential debates have become entertainment spectacles rather than substantive exchanges of ideas. But perhaps the date historians of the future will recall as the moment presidential races turned officially from politics to entertainment will be September 26, 2016.
It’s perhaps also the moment where superficiality and rhetorical attacks trumped—no pun intended—discussions of philosophy and public policy. Even still, 2016’s first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump should be enough to give any American pause.
From the moderator to the candidates, from the questions to their answers, from the falsehoods to the pandering, there is a deep feeling of visceral regret and a surreal but relevant question: Are we watching a reality TV show, an episode of “House of Cards” or an actual presidential debate?
Both Clinton and Trump are deeply flawed presidential candidates and the debate stage put a magnifying glass on that fact. Neither candidate was aspirational; neither was particularly enlightening; and neither was remarkably inspiring. Most tragically, neither showed any aptitude or desire to be the much-needed uniting force our country needs today.
Trump’s debate performance was lackluster. He lacked the depth and breadth of information that one would hope for in a presidential contender.
Clinton’s performance was measured and calculated but far from illuminating. Her highly scripted responses benefitted though in contrast to Trump’s oft disjointed responses.
Clinton also benefited from favorable questions and a lack of critical follow-up from Holt.
Many pundits will argue that Clinton won this debate. That’s a fair assessment. She carried herself like a capable politician. Trump did not. He carried himself as an anti-politician, an outsider with little interest in the norms and etiquette of political life. But that’s the exact shtick that’s gotten him this far in the race and why this is an incredibly close and competitive presidential race that will likely come down to the wire.