Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 28, 2016
Clinton, Trump throw punches but fail to get a knockout
Debate Night, September 26, 2016
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, speaking to each other with undisguised disdain, sharply disagreed on how to boost the American economy and uplift minority communities in a debate Monday night while hammering each other on matters of ethics, character, and veracity.
Clinton launched into lacerating attacks — targeting Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns, his business record of not paying contractors, and his demeaning comments toward women — as Trump dismissed the criticism as sound bites delivered by a typical politician.
Even as he appeared to flail at times in contrast to her smoother performance, Trump tried to drive home the message that he is an outsider unafraid to take on elites. He repeatedly blamed Clinton for failing to solve problems over three decades in government roles.
“I have a feeling by the end of this debate I’ll be blamed for everything,” Clinton said.
“Why not?” Trump responded.
Trump was feisty but at times bordered on rude, frequently interrupting Clinton and speaking over the moderator, or leaning over into the microphone and shouting, “Wrong!”
The former secretary of state was more patient, letting him speak for long stretches without jumping in, then coming back to correct his statements with a smile. It seemed part of a strategy to let Trump hang himself on his own words.
“Just listen to what you heard,” she said at one point.
She seemed more prepared with zingers designed to make an impact, while Trump often riffed without a planned response. (Continued: Boston Globe)
