Historically, debates have been shown to have a negligible effect on polls. There are exceptions, though (eg, Reagan v Carter). I wouldn’t get my hopes up regarding the debates. Clinton will be professionally coached with poll-tested one-liners against Trump. While he thinks well on his feet, she will be playing solely to the vagina factor, baiting him for some kind of “misogynnist” comment that the media can run with. It will all be pre-planned (collusion with the MSM).
I disagree. The optics of them on stage together will be stark. Trump has shown throughout the primaries that the debates are big for him. He does not sound like a politician and while he say’s thing that make some people cringe, he is very believable and comes across as honest.
It might have in 2012 as well, but after blowing Obama out in the first debate, Romney decided to “play it safe” in the remaining debates. Of course Hurricane Sandy and Christie’s subsequent gushing praise of Obama didn’t help either.
That is correct. People tend to remember the one-liners. Dan Quayle bested Lloyd Bentsen in the 1988 VP debate but all people ever remember from that debate was "You're no John Kennedy."
Carly Fiorina also did some damage with her one liner against Donald Trump in one of the primary debates. It was the only time I saw Donald at a loss of words. All he could sputter back was "I think you are a beautiful person" or something like that.
So yes, expect the poll-tested one liners to come fast and furious at Trump during the debates. It's all she's got as she has no substance.
I do expect Mr. Trump will come to these debates well-prepared and with a few one liners of his own.