Clinton, Trump 2nd Round Sets New Lows

By Lorin McLain

In what could’ve been the most volatile presidential debate in American history, Donald Trump proved again he is the consummate showman, even against the ropes. The GOP nominee took Sunday night’s town hall style discussion as an opportunity to remind the public he’s sorry for his off-mic remarks revealed Friday, promising he really isn’t the misogynistic, woman-groper caught on tape in 2005. He also threw all propriety out the window by threatening to jail Hillary.

Appearing weary and fatigued, Trump went on the attack, trying to divert attention from the damaging Access Hollywood video by saying Bill Clinton did “far worse” things to women than he’s being accused of. Reminiscent of his strange, erratic performance in the first debate, his attacks weren’t without smatterings of vague accusations hurled at his opponent. “She’s done a terrible job for the African Americans. But Bill Clinton was abusive to women, and Hillary Clinton attacked those same women,” he said. And then came the jail threat. “And if I win, I’m going to ask my attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to look into your situation,” he warned. Trump at one point got a scolding from moderator Anderson Clinton for constant interruptions. “Please allow her to respond, she didn’t talk while you talked,” Anderson ordered. “That’s right I didn’t,” she answered, in which Trump countered, “’cause you have nothing to say.”

Clinton visibly laughed off the insults, saying Trump was trying “to do anything to avoid talking about your campaign, how it’s exploding, and the way Republicans are leaving you.” Both candidates seemed to hurl more accusations and insults at each other than ever witnessed in a presidential debate. Trump repeatedly called his opponent a liar and basically said every decision she’s ever made resulted in “utter disaster.” Hillary reminded voters that the Trump heard on the tape was the Donald Trump she warned is no doubt sexist, an Islamaphobe, and basically unfit to hold public office.

Trump got into it with the moderators with a testy exchange, accusing them of giving Clinton more speaking time. He even attempted some media antics before the debate by assembling a group of women who have either accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault, or blamed Hillary for defending him. The “Washington Post” reported he tried to seat them in his family’s VIP box, but was denied by debate officials. Clinton campaign officials said it was an attempt to intimidate her.

The Wall Street Journal now puts Clinton over Trump by 11 points in the first poll since the tape was released on Friday. Running mate Mike Pence on Monday publicly dismissed any rumors he was leaving the ticket, saying he believes Trump is completely sincere in his apology for the remarks. House Speaker Paul Ryan the same day said he would no longer defend Trump and is putting all his attention on supporting congressional candidates.