For both sides the objective of the debate is to persuade low-info voters and people who might sit it out or consider third party protest votes. Trumpetistas and GOP loyalists are going to vote Trump no matter what happens in the debate. Communists, yellow-dogs, and other Hillary supporters are going to vote Hillary no matter what. Greenies and Libertarians are going to vote their candidates no matter what.
Trump really has to perform in #2 and #3 ‘cause there are some conventionally conservative, Republican-leaning voters who really don’t like him and who distrust him. But he will perform. Trump is a genius at self-promotion, and he thinks strategically. There’s no sense in wasting his powder on the first debate.
The geezer vote is also a challenge for Trump because geezer benefits are very important to that demographic. Trump’s unconventional approach to politics may create some uncertainty in their perception of the stability of their welfare checks.
my 20 yr old is going to vote Trump but she was disappointed in his lack of clarity she walked out saying that he needs to do better next time and appeal to people who aren’t angry.