United States presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald J Trump faced off in front of a pensive and expectant crowd in Hofstra University in New York on Monday night.

The first presidential debate was moderated by Lester Holt of NBC's nightly news and dateline programmes. The debate was vicious with the two presidential contenders exchanging barbs on perceived inadequacies and shortcomings.

The questions asked by the moderator covered a large swathe of issues but the debate among the two presidential hopefuls boiled down to substance versus temperament.  The increasingly temperamental Republican presidential candidate was forced to fend off concerns from Mrs. Clinton that he appeared to lack judgement, was a misogynist and allegations that he was an outright racist for being the poster boy for spawning the hugely controversial "Birther" movement that time and again questioned president Obama's nationality.

On his part, Trump pilloried Mrs. Clinton for being too cozy with the Iranian regime and lacking the spine to confront countries like North Korea as well as failing to neutralize the threat posed by ISIS.

Mrs. Clinton talked about jobs saying that she would work towards creating a fairer and just society in America by raising the national minimum wage as well as rolling out affordable health care for all.

When it came to the same issue, Mr. Trump lamented about America losing jobs to Mexico and other countries although he did not substantiate by bringing facts on the table. He also said he would reduce taxes from 35 to 15 percent if elected president.

Mr. Trump found himself on the receiving end with Mrs. Clinton challenging him to release his tax records.  Not to be outfoxed, Trump countered her by saying he would only release his tax records once Mrs. Clinton makes public the trove of confidential emails around 33,000 which she had allegedly deleted and which was subject to a congressional panel hearing.

The issue of the highly contentious emails and how Mrs. Clinton handled the issue continues to bog her campaign as well as providing fodder to conspiracy theorists.

Throughout the highly anticipated debate, Mrs. Clinton appeared presidential: cool, calm and collected despite Mr. Trump's attempts to draw her into a slanging match.

The highly disciplined debate moderator, Lester Holt had a hard time trying to rein in Mr. Trump who put on a facade of discipline despite grunting silently.

The aftermath of the debate paint a rosy picture for Mrs. Clinton. The latest CNN poll on the debate indicate a huge bounce for Mrs. Clinton with 62 percent of those surveyed saying that she came on tops and sounded more presidential while a paltry 27 percent thought Trump carried the night.

It would be good for Mrs. Clinton and the democrats if she can sustain the momentum from Monday night's debate.