Commentary

Hillary Clinton won the first debate

Hillary Clinton won the first debate
Photo: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer
In 98 minutes, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton showed the American people she has stamina, knowledge, understanding of complex issues and a sense of humor and grace in the face of arrogance and rudeness. That face belongs most assuredly to Donald J. Trump, Republican nominee for president.

The first woman to participate in a presidential debate repeatedly brought up issues important to women, defended the rights of African-American men, and criticized the New York tycoon for a career that hurt both of those groups. Neither candidate brought up the issue of LGTBQ rights, marriage, discrimination protections or adoption rights, nor did moderator Lester Holt of NBC News.

Clinton noted that Monday was her granddaughter Charlotte’s second birthday at the start, and promised to fight for fair pay for female workers and to increase taxes on the wealthy, as she has on the campaign trail.

Trump started with his campaign staple: attacking Mexico. “Our jobs are fleeing the country, they’re going to Mexico and many other countries,” he said. “We have to stop our jobs from being stolen from us” and is claiming that Mexico’s factory building is like “the 8th wonder of the world.”

Fact-check: click here for a look at what each candidate said that was true, or not!

Trump was eager to interrupt Hillary Clinton on the stage at Hofstra University in New York. In one exchange, Clinton said, “I have a feeling that by the end of this evening I’ll be blamed for everything that ever happened.” Trump interjected, “Why not?”

In another, Clinton said she made a mistake by using a private email system during her tenure as secretary of state. “That’s for sure,” Trump responded.

Trump offered to release his tax returns if Hillary Clinton releases the “33,000 emails” she deleted from her private server. Clinton responded by saying Trump may not be “as rich as he says he is.” Or “maybe he’s not as charitable” as he says he is. Clinton said perhaps Trump doesn’t pay any federal income tax at all.

Trump got in another dig at Clinton, saying he’s seen troubles in inner cities while she’s stayed home. Clinton responded that there was nothing wrong with spending time preparing for the debate. “You know what else I did?” she asked. “I prepared to be president.”

Clinton also punched back at Trump’s assertions that she doesn’t have the “stamina” to be president, saying Trump shouldn’t talk about stamina until he’s walked in her shoes as a globe-trotting secretary of state.

Although Trump didn’t answer Holt’s question about Clinton not having what he called the “presidential look,” Clinton said those remarks were about gender, and she reminded the crowd of Trump’s past comments calling women “pigs” and other derogatory names. Trump’s response was that he was talking about out comedian Rosie O’Donnell, and he further maligned her by saying everyone would agree with what he said about her

Clinton accused Trump of spreading a “racist lie” that President Obama, our “first black president,” was not an American citizen, adding, “He has a long record of engaging in racist behavior.” She said the so-called “birther” issue was a lie, and “a very hurtful one.”

The audience erupted in laughter when Trump claimed, “I have much better judgment than she does. I have much better temperament.” That drew laughs from some in the debate crowd, and prompted Clinton to exclaim: “Woo! OK!”

The debate ended with both candidates saying in their own fashion that they will support whoever wins.

Here are some observations posted to Facebook by our readers:

Heriberto Rivera Jr. Clinton won…she was cool and actually funny. Trump took the bait EVERY time, my goodness it was a thrashing.

Rene Siqueiros Clinton. She had soooo much stamina. Just tremendous stamina. And knowledge. She quoted him on his shit and he got flustered.

Amada L. Abrego Hillary Clinton: “I think Donald just criticized me for preparing for this debate. You know what else I prepared for? To be president.”

Joe Jimenez Clinton cleaned house. Keep it going so much is at stake here.

Richard Chuks IMO- Her best statement was “Anyone who can be provoked by a tweet should not be let anywhere near our nuclear launch codes”. I hope America listens.

Mike McDermott This wasn’t a debate. It was a joke. Lester Holt let the whole thing get out of control. It could have been a home run for Clinton. It won’t change any Trump supporter’s mind.

Trenten Hartline “I have much better temperament than she does… I have a winning temperament.” lmfao. Clinton won

Brandon Ferguson The whole thing was a joke. The only winner or loser here is the American people, and we lost big time.

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