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Hillary won the first debate (it helps to be prepared)
Well, they were both themselves. And Hillary Clinton was the winner.
It wasn’t always clear that this would be the case as things began well for Donald Trump on Monday night at Hofstra.
The first third of the first presidential debate of 2016 was as close to a dream for the Trump campaign as they could have envisioned.
The Republican nominee tried to remain focused on the key themes of his campaign. And he didn’t lose his cool – at least at the beginning.
For her part, Hillary Clinton began strong, She emphasized the need to make the economy fairer and work for all Americans, to grow the economy and build the kind of country we want to live in – all themes that she discusses day after day and have shown to resonate with voters.
But then things changed.
The debate, taken in its entirety, demonstrates how much preparation really matters. Clinton was ready for all of Trump's quips with a litany of detail and showed why she is winning on qualifications, experience and temperament in every poll.
Indeed, there was not a moment when Clinton appeared rattled. This is undoubtedly because of her preparation.
Trump also struggled on key issues like his taxes wherein he appeared to suggest that he doesn’t pay federal taxes because the government misspends our dollars and Clinton was able to control the debate on the birther issue and foreign policy.
Clinton effectively used Trump’s words against him, especially in discussing nuclear weapons and the importance of America standing by our allies. She also garnered some of her highest marks in focus groups for her responses on healing racial tensions in America.
Clinton surely spoke in policy terms – she’s a wonk, after all. She used more stories of real people. It humanized her and made it clear that she has dedicated her life to public service so that she can help all Americans.
But ultimately, everything Clinton did on Monday night was enough to prove that there’s a reason she’s the Democratic nominee. There won’t be anyone saying she isn’t presidential. It’s clear that Trump was not cogent and generally discursive. He rambled and was rattled, two things that don’t read well in a debate.
Clinton has blunted his momentum. That said, she did lay the ground work for the rest of the campaign to effectively use Trump’s own words against him. And, she proved that if Americans are going to vote on the basis of temperament and experience, they’re going to be voting blue on November 8th.
Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/...-prepared.html