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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.