Candidates face di≠erent expectations in debates

Clinton may be expected to perform like an incumbent vs. wild card Trump

washington» By virtue of her long political resume, Hillary Clinton will enter her highly anticipated fall debates with Donald Trump facing the same kind of heightened expectations that often saddle an incumbent president. Trump, as the political newcomer, will be more of a wild card with a lower bar to clear.

A month before the first faceoff, Clinton allies are working to prevent that dynamic from turning into an advantage for the Republican nominee.

Boosting debate expectations for her opponent requires a tricky balancing act for Clinton.

At the same time she is encouraging Americans to take seriously Trump’s controversial policy proposals, including a temporary ban on Muslim immigration and building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, she’s painting him as unprepared and temperamentally unfit for the presidency.

“I think on the one hand it’s a serious chance for Americans to tune in,” Clinton said Monday on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show. “But you’ve got to be prepared for, like, wacky stuff that comes at you, and I am drawing on my experience in elementary school. You know, the guy who pulled your ponytail.”

The presidential debates kick off Sept. 26 at New York’s Hofstra University. Two additional confrontations will follow in October, along with a vice presidential faceoff between Democratic running mate Tim Kaine, a Virginia senator, and Trump’s No. 2, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

Clinton’s preparations are being overseen by experienced Democratic debate experts, including Ron Klain, Karen Dunn and Robert Barnett, all of whom advised President Barack Obama during his debates. They’re working out of a rented office in Washington. Top Clinton policy adviser Jake Sullivan is also playing a prominent role, along with other senior campaign officials.

Donald Trump shouts, “Hillary Clinton is a bigot!” • As Donald

jackson, miss.» Trump listed the ways Wednesday that he would make life better for AfricanAmericans living in poverty, he suddenly shouted, “Hillary Clinton is a bigot!”

The line was included in prepared remarks distributed to reporters, and it seemed to catch many in the crowd by surprise, triggering a delayed and somewhat brief round of cheers and applause.

As the overwhelmingly white crowd tried to figure out how to respond to the loaded accusations, Trump kept talking.

“Who sees people of color only as votes, not as human-beings worthy of a better future? She’s going to do nothing for African-Americans. She’s going to do nothing for the Hispanics. She’s only going to take care of herself, her husband, her consultants, her donors — these are the people she cares about.” The Washington Post