Scott Adams’ point - winning the election by losing the debate - is right on the money, but technical. I’d say the same about your win vs “win” point. Right on the money, but technical.
By technical, I mean that it’s about perceptions rather than policy - Trump not appearing scary, or too orange, Clinton not appearing unhealthy, the importance of appearing to win vs actually winning on points.
My difference with this is that there is also something deeper going on that is not about appearances:
Yes, Clinton demonstrated that she was more articulate, and more experienced and had a better command of factual details.
But by letting her and Holt go on and on, basically unopposed, articulating all her leftist experience, in detail, listing how many countries she’s been to, etc. Trump was handing her the rope with which to hang herself, and she did it.
He said it a few times - Yes, you have 30 years of experience, but it’s failed experience. Yes, you can talk the talk, but why do all of the problems we face persist or get worse on your watch?
She basically promised that she would raise taxes, increase regulations, hobble security and law enforcement, attack the 2nd ammendment, etc etc,
She would grow the government, defend the corrupt status quo, fight for all her life long leftist causes. He let her rattle on about it.
So, I think he may have truly won the debate on substance, not just by managing optics, - by exposing what she really stands for and what she would do as POTUS.
You raise a point I failed to see. Trump may have been letting her “run” with the bait (a term from my old deep sea fishing days.) Let her think she really has it and speed off at 50 mph and then when there is plenty of give in the line, SET THE HOOK.
We shall see in the next debate. If he does as you suggested then you, my FRiend, are a dang GENIUS. Can you imagine if he just gives her more line in Number Two and then just unloads the whole game on her with five minutes to go. Watching that fish feel the hook will be priceless. A moment I will cherish forever.
But it is probably best to let it go and just win the election. He really needs to remember the reason he is there is to take her voters. Set the hook and gaff her on Nov. 8th.