Debate Round 2

Last night’s debate was a strange bit of political theater and there was plenty of drama (Trump’s pre-debate press conference, a failed confrontation attempt, creepy lurking, policy differences with a running mate, strange compliments, criticizing moderators, speech transcripts, emails, threats of jail, two-faced policy positions and Abe Lincoln – who has quite a presence on Twitter).

The New York Times characterized its tone as “bitter, personal;” and the Washington Post editorialized, “A new low, even for Donald Trump.” The conservative verdict is mixed. The National Review headlines include “On a Bizarre Night, Trump Comes Through Okay,” and “Donald Trump Lives to Lose Another Day,” Red State: “Donald Trump Was Right. Hillary Clinton Should Be In Jail…And The Republic Might Depend On It,” and Breitbart: “The Art of the Comeback: Donald Trump’s Debate Win Propels Him Toward White House.”

On Fox News this morning, John McCormack of The Weekly Standard noted that Trump “stopped the bleeding,” but “he needed to win. This was a do or die debate and I think he died.” The Weekly Standard’s story, “The Debate’s Biggest Loser Was the GOP” is receiving a lot of attention because it seems to distill the essence of last night: Trump didn’t blow up, implode, or commit a grave error. His subdued nature was hardly engaging but he showed that he could behave. It was an important demonstration and, according to the author, one that may save his candidacy.

Last night, Clinton didn’t sparkle. She commanded no headlines, but also came out unscathed. Trump’s mumbling caused him to flub his attacks and his incessant criticism of the moderators made him look like a whiny kid. (For example, he seemed to accuse Clinton’s campaign of starting the birther rumors, but he never made the connection). Meanwhile, Clinton made two strong attacks: one about the video’s representation of Trump’s true character, the second, a list of people to whom Trump owes apologies (Mr. and Mrs. Khan, federal judge, people he mocked etc…).

The debate was interesting television but not much else. Trump supporters remain firmly in his camp and Clinton’s in hers. In the spin room, policy discussion was quickly forgotten in favor of character attacks and deflections. What’s next? Media commentators are beginning to digest Trump’s threats to jail Clinton if he’s elected. There’s more here, and this will become a story this week. Comparisons are already being made to Stalin, Mao, and Putin. Meanwhile, Kellyanne Conway is out on defense.

Here we go again.