By Dave Andrusko
And that was just Round One. Anyone who may have thought the opening debate might be low-key was disabused of that notion within a few minutes. Pro-life Donald Trump and pro-abortion Hillary Clinton went at it hammer and tongs.
A few thoughts.
#1. As moderator, NBC News’ Lester Holt was given the right to choose the questions and, he told us last night, no one had seen them. Our issue[s] did not come up. But then again
#2. That is hardly surprising. Holt asked nothing of Clinton that could even vaguely be described as probing, let alone hard.
Clinton’s position is to tell the American people that abortion on demand is a really good thing, such a wonderful action, in fact, that you and I must pay for it. Her out-to-sea position is supported by her husband and the Abortion Establishment. The public believes in a plethora of limitations on the “right” to abortion–as we have documented time and time again–and is adamantly against having their pockets picked to expedite the slaughter.
So, no, Holt was not going to ask Clinton about abortion.
#3. Clinton is a first-rate debater. On a point system, Trump will likely always lose to the former Secretary of State.
What we will find out over the next few days is whether last night’s debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York slowed Trump’s momentum which had carried him into a statistical tie in the national polls and a narrow lead in the states that he has to win (such as Ohio), or most likely has to win (such as Colorado). And
#4. Of course a debate is about attempting to win over undecideds. Mrs. Clinton had her strategy, Trump has his. At its core it is making that case that he is the change candidate while Clinton is the same-old, same-old.
But equally, if not more important for Trump, is whether the first debate helped him continue persuading Republicans that they should support his unorthodox candidacy. As we have talked about a great deal, including yesterday, that number has continually grown.
To go back to #1 for just a second. I no longer watch the evening news; I get home too late and have too much to do once I do walk in the door. So I had no preconceived notion of Holt’s commitment to fairness.
Fairness, as a debate moderator, is grilling–or at least inquiring about–each candidate’s weaknesses equally. Holt did a first rate job going after Trump’s vulnerabilities.
He gave Clinton a free pass.
And that is, by no means, fair.