posted on Oct, 19 2016 @ 11:15 PM
Trump won the debate in the sense that it was a "personal best" performance, but I don't think one could say that he defeated Clinton. He certainly
rocked her, though, and forced her to play "rope a dope" part of the time by pivoting away from tough questions.
He did make one very bad error of judgment, that was typical of Donald Trump.
Trump battles his own stubborn nature constantly. One of the CBSN commentators, Steve Chaggaris, pointed out, rightly I think, that saying that he is
going to leave everyone "in suspense" as to whether he will accept the election result if he loses, is a significant strategic error, because he has
turned that into the story in the press, until he clarifies the point.
That will throw any policy criticisms he has, or policy initiatives, into the background in the press. This is the "TV star" thinking about how to get
"press noise" that includes his name. It trivializes the battle for the presidency. This is the kind of thing that must drive his advisers crazy.
It is also the reason, screwy priorities, why Trump should never be elected and ushered onto that Oval Office. There is no place for that kind of
silliness in that job.
I think one could argue that he robbed himself of victory there, which is so typical of Trump's showing in this campaign.
edit on 19-10-2016 by ipsedixit because: (no reason given)