Who "won" the debate? It's as simple as this.

[Jim Robinson]

Those who are satisfied with business as usual will say Hillary won.

Those who want higher taxes and bigger government will say Hillary.

Those who think the Iran Nuke deal is a good deal will say Hillary.

Those who think trade deals like NAFTA and TPP are great for America will say Hillary.

Those who think inner city blacks and minorities have been treated great by the democrats and their socialist policies will say Hillary.

Those who think Hillary will appoint great judges will say she won.

Those who think Hillary can securely safeguard our nation's classified information and will secure our borders and our nation will say she won.

Those who think we need a complete turnover and want to prevent our nation from spiraling down the drain know that Trump won and must win the coming election.

[MyDogAteMyBallot]

The bucket of water was right there!

I do like that Oz analogy, good one :-)

[Lazamataz]

You have, honed over the years, the ability to cut to the heart of the matter. It is why I am proud to call us friends. Thanks for this post.

[gswilder]

How much do the debates matter these days? We have 100 news outlets on cable, internet, social media, etc. And Trump will be on 20 news shows tomorrow talking about and clearing up any issues.

20 years ago, debates mattered more. The debates were the first time many got their impressions of the candidates. Both Trump and Hillary have global name recognition, and a very public history. Nothing much to be learned tonight. People were watching for the fireworks.

That being said, Trump is smart and a quick learner. You will see a very different Trump on the 9th.

[neocon1984]

Yes. Most people have made up their minds or have had their minds made up by the MSM, teachers and other influencers.

I suspect the the undecided don’t want to admit that they are voting for Hillary or Trump. My girlfriend, a wonderful person, thinks she is a moderate Democrat. (There is no such animal). She dislikes Hillary less than Trump, but will wait to the last minute to declare for the Clinton Crime family. There are a lot like her.

I still love her.

The question is how many people are intimidated to declare publicly for Trump. I do not know the answer. I know that he has to learn from this debate and improve a bit.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Dorothy didn’t even know it was going to do the witch in, until she used it to douse the fire that had been set to the Scarecrow.

There are some possible interesting theological analogies. Donald may yet find his most decisive victory over Hillary, in helping somebody else and not even thinking about Hillary.

[donna]

I saw Trump let Hillary reveal her card technique and still came off more likable and trustworthy.
He will smote her in the next debate.
This is sales (like) for Trump, he is negotiating, watching his opponent.

I think you're right. Trump has great patience.

[HiTech RedNeck]

smite her, or smoke her...

[b4me]

Did Lester even ask about the topics that were supposed to be the topics for questions? Trumps tax returns wasn’t one of the main topics I remember seeing in those articles about 3 topics 2 questions on each topic that the debate organizers listed as the plan for the night....... I didn’t get to watch much debate tuned in late and my connection kept freezing up so I will watch a video of it.

[5th MEB]

I do have to ask you what debate you watched.
I have been a Republican all my life.
Not a Goddamn belt way Republican either, a GOD, CORPS, CONSTITUTION, COUNTRY, FAMILY, and GUNS CONSERVATIVE.
(not necessarily in that order).
I was my High School debate champion back in 1966, and in all honesty Mr. Trump got his ass kicked tonight.
Good thing most American voters have already made their choice (and PRESIDENT TRUMP IS AHEAD), because otherwise this could have made or broke an election.
Also a good thing most voters have the mental capacity of a housefly, otherwise this debate could have had serious consequences.

[tumblindice]

‘We can’t spare this man. He fights.’
He promised he would fight for us and tonight he delivered.
‘Anyone. Anywhere. Any time.’
I was proud of him.

[JediJones]

If you’re happy when leftist pricks call you “racist” whenever they’re trying to win an argument, Hillary won.

[fhayek]

The problem with Hillary is that there are so many targets, so many ways to go. I mean regarding releasing his tax returns, Trump could have said:

The Clintons have had to revise their tax returns numerous times when they were caught fudging. or...

I didn't form a foundation with the sole purpose of avoiding taxes. or...

Why are you so concerned about my filings when you have been caught not making the proper filings about foreign contributions with your foundation? or...

My income is based upon creating products and jobs, not like you, who earns $200,000 for a secret 20 minute speech. or...

No one is required to pay one dime more than they have to, especially when you see how government squanders its money Anybody who pays more than they have to, is a fool. or...

I earned my money the old fashioned way, not by speculating in cattle futures.

There are almost too many ways to attack this, which may cause one to trip over themselves when posed this particular question. And you can do this with almost any other question.

[pangaea6]

I think he did fine, although the cyber security question was sitting right there for him to knock out of the park by just looking at the camera after Hilary answered and saying “Really, really, you want Hillary of the missing email, private server, hacked systems to be in charge of that, hahaha! She can remember all these policy details and tings about my life but cant remember that a C menas classified? That’s my answer Lester, next question.”

[Cobra64]

God, I hope so.

[Heart-Rest]

I agree with all your excellent points, and I wanted to add just a couple of things that struck me about the style differences displayed in the debate.   Regarding one thing in particular, Hillary kept laughing a really weird, fake laugh throughout the whole debate, that made her look like a maniacal lunatic, and looked similar to this:

Also, Holt (and others after the debate) tried to make a big deal out of Trump changing the charge that Hillary "did not look presidential" to the charge that she "did not have the stamina to be president".   Actually, in a very real way, they are both pertaining to the same thing.   The reason we can ascertain that she doesn't have the stamina to be president is precisely by her look, which includes public fainting, stumbling around, wobbling here and there, collapsing, odd head spinning and bobbling, weird spasms that may be mini seizures, crazy eyes bizarrely rolling around and pointing in two different directions, etc.   She doesn't look like she has the stamina (or mental stability) to be president.

My opinion is that Trump shellacked Hillary tonight, and he is going to shellac her on November 8.

[fortes fortuna juvat]

Keeping his powder dry the first round. The fact that he stood toe to toe is a win. She exposed weaknesses and trump is one to exploit those weaknesses. There are two more debates. Let her feel cocky. All the better when he sees her next time.
_______________________________________

I think Trump was holding his fire, getting a feel for the tactics of the opposition, and being careful not to come across as an overly aggressive brute. He generally has the persona of a likable guy, and he doesn’t want to tarnish that image. All in all, I think he accomplished his objectives, and in the remaining debates I expect he will become more and more intensely focused on the multitude of reasons she is unqualified to be President. Supporters who were disappointed that he didn’t kill her this evening need to be a little more patient: It’s only the first quarter of the game!

[pangaea6]

Trump may have seemed on defense but was it an opportunity to explain, and pretty well too, some of those nasty commercials away perhaps without spending millions on a counter punch commercial? Now he can run positive, MAGA spots having answered several accusations in front of 100M people. Just a thought on his strategy or at least putting a positive spin on things.

[TTFlyer]

Who are all these “Freepers” saying Hillary “trounced” Trump?

I listened to the Giuliani and Newt post debate commentary and am ignoring the rest of the drooling idiots, some of whom are on this board.

[Zakeet]

Who won the debate?

I'll leave it to you to figure out how we all voted in the Zak household!

[ZULU]

Yes. But next time Trump has to spend less time on defense and ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK.

This is a woman with NO accomplishments and a long trail of lying, deceiving, grifting, treating other people with contempt and hate. He needs to attack HER and her foundation.

She gave him a GIFT when she mentioned her book. AMAZON had to pull the vast number of NEGATIVE comments on it, presumably at Hillary’s request and GOT CAUGHT. It was on FOX. Just like she was caught taking bribes from Saudi Sheiks through her foundation. Just like she got caught hammering crll phones. Trump needs to do some homework for the next debate and so do his mentors.

If he can SLAM her out in the 2nd and third debate on her horrific record- he wins BIG TIME.