Ezra Klein: Hillary Clinton’s 3 debate performances left the Trump campaign in ruins

[highplainsdem]

http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/10/19/13340828/hillary-clinton-debate-trump-won

The third and final presidential debate has ended, and it can now be said: Hillary Clinton crushed Donald Trump in the most effective series of debate performances in modern political history.

The polling tells the story. As Nate Silver notes, on the eve of the first presidential debate, Clinton led by 1.5 points. Before the second, she was up by 5.6 points. Before the third, she was winning by 7.1 points. And now, writing after the third debate — a debate in which Trump said he would keep the nation “in suspense” about whether there would be a peaceful transition of power, bragged about not apologizing to his wife, and called Clinton “such a nasty woman” — it’s clear that Trump did himself no favors. Early polls also suggest Clinton won.

-snip-

Two things have been true throughout the debates. One is that Trump has been, at every turn, underprepared, undisciplined, and operating completely without a strategy. In one of the third debate’s most unintentionally revealing moments, Trump said, “I sat in my apartment today ... watching ad after false ad, all paid for by your friends on Wall Street,” an inadvertent admission that he was inhaling cable news when he should have been prepping for the debate.

But the other reality is that Clinton has been, at every turn, prepared, disciplined, and coldly strategic. She triggered Trump’s epic meltdown purposely, and kept Trump off balance over multiple weeks that probably represented his last chance to turn the election around. She was ready for every question, prepared for every attack, and managed to goad Trump into making mistakes that became the main story the day after every single debate.

It is easy, now, to assume her victory was assured, to read Trump’s collapse as inevitable. But remember that he triumphed over a talented, 17-person Republican field in debate after debate to win the primary — one-on-one contests are unique, it’s true, but there was no particular reason to think Trump couldn’t use his bullying, blustering showmanship to take over the stage and expose Clinton as inauthentic and out of touch. The reason he didn’t is because she never let him.

We aren’t used to this kind of victory. We aren’t used to candidates winning not so much because of how they performed but because of how they pushed their opponent into performing. But the fact that we aren’t used to this kind of victory doesn’t make it any less impressive. Hillary Clinton has humbled Donald Trump, and she did it her way.

[Johnny2X2X]

1. Masterful

She absolutely dismantled him in every possible way. She proved herself so much smarter and so much more together it left no doubt.

[sarae]

2. She destroyed him.

He's an embarrassment to this country.

[ffr]

12. I felt like she was reading my mind. I asked her to beat him down and she delivered.

Now to get it done for her. GOTV!!! Every vote. Every state.

Wipe the GOP out!

[sarae]

19. hah! I thought she did even better than in the first debate.

So proud of our nominee...

[lastlib]

31. I keep thinking of the Blazing Saddles scene...

...where the bad guys attack the fake town of Rock Ridge!

"It's a fake! We've been suckered!"

"Okay, folks, let's WIPE 'EM OUT!!"

[Madam45for2923]

3. She did it her way!

She kept steady! She was at the controls!

[TomCADem]

4. You Have To Give Her Credit. In RNC Debates...

...no one was able to really take Trump out even though he was the clear front runner. Also, I think Hillary relished being able to take on a Republican and cut loose.

[maddiemom]

33. The Republican field was sad. Trump simply bullied through their debates and they seemed stunned.

If any Republican presidential aspirant scared me more than Trump, it was Ted Cruz, who is obviously much smarter than Trump, just more honest about an agenda repugnant to many. Jeb may be the smarter Bush, but he sure didn't show it. Not good in any way in future dealings with world leaders. If they can let a blustering con take them...? Also sad, because the Republicans seem more impressed by swagger. Trump simply was able to intimidate them. Not hard for him because he does "empty rhetoric" so much better than they do. Talk about presenting one face to the public--as Hillary's been pilloried for, but is political tradition. Reminds me of the meme Repugs spun about Joe Biden for the first term of the Obama years: a clutzy clown, when nothing is further than the truth. How did this happen? Did anyone paying attention in the real world doubt he couldn't take the much glorified Paul Ryan in a debate? Suddenly, in the second term, Biden is much appreciated. Could Hillary stay sane and in control in debate with Trump? No question to anyone paying attention to the important matters this country faces. Grace under Pressure is Hillary's most important asset, even more so than her impressive brain. Like her, or not, she can run rings around Trump in every way.

[MyOwnPeace]

42. Maddie............

what a well thought-out response - and leaves one with a feeling of confidence in out future leader. If she can do this live/on stage with a blowhard supported by a hateful party, why should we worry in here international dealings with foreign representatives and leaders, all entering in with far fewer supporters and demonic/negative objectives going into a meeting/discussion regarding national issues.
Go, Hillary!

[Coyotl]

5. Nasty Woman Mopped The Floor With That Hairpiece

[oasis]

14. Hey hey hey

[Hekate]

18. Nice, very nice

[MoonRiver]

36. HAHAHA!

[question everything]

6. And Trunp agrees with this assessment, as he left as soon as it was over

The Clintons had the whole room for themselves to shake hands and to smile and to - I think - have selfies. Had they?

[Coyotl]

24. We were exhausted just listening, he was horse whipped, totally lathered, beaten, hammered, battered

and chastised for being such a vile pussy grabber. If he wasn't a candidate, he'd be hiding his face from everyone.[center]

[ibegurpard]

7. undeniable

[Cha]

8. And, that's why she's a #NastyWoman.. she beat drumpf and

he can't take it anymore.

We aren’t used to this kind of victory. We aren’t used to candidates winning not so much because of how they performed but because of how they pushed their opponent into performing. But the fact that we aren’t used to this kind of victory doesn’t make it any less impressive. Hillary Clinton has humbled Donald Trump, and she did it her way.

[canetoad]

9. Only thing wrong in the quote

Is calling the Repugs a 'Talented 17 person field'. Well, the 17 is true.

What brought Trump down is the character flaw that made him unable to accept he had been beaten in the first debate and thus modify his behaviour.

Oh, and HRCs mastery of her subjects.

[Wounded Bear]

13. I caught that, too...

[LisaM]

16. They allowed him to drag them down to his level.

She never did that.

[tanyev]

20. Agreed. That caught my eye, too.

They were going to have problems coming up with a candidate even if Trump hadn't barreled his way in.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

10. It should also be stated that her performance not only exposed DT as hopelessly unqualified, but

was also very revealing of just who she is, and what her capabilities are. I had no idea! It completely changed my attitude from feeling I would have to hold my nose to vote AGAINST DT... to actually being enthusiastic about voting FOR HRC.

[highplainsdem]

11. Josh Marshall: Clinton "stomped Trump, battered him, humiliated him again and again. three for three

https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/788967785544216576

[world wide wally]

15. Bill Clinton always said that Hillary was the smart one

[UtahJosh]

17. I must respectfully disagree with Klein.

There wasn't anything remotely approaching 'talented' in that 17 member clown show.

The rest is spot on, though. Clinton deserves all the credit, and it's easy to overlook that fact since she was so masterful it was hardly even noticeable how much she was controlling her opponent. You know, like a puppet and all.

[Hortensis]

21. Well... Cruz and Rubio, even Kaisich?

True, Kaisich's tactic of posing as a calm moderate didn't work for him, but all three qualify for the term. And others. We laugh at Carson (and wonder just what his diagnosis would be), but he can move crowds and drew much of the religious and social right.

[Adrahil]

22. ...

[Maeve]

23. This line sums up so much:

"his complete inability to control what came out of his mouth after 80 minutes on a stage with Clinton."
THIS is a person who claims to be able to negotiate with CHINA and RUSSIA????? Hell, he can't stand up to a 68 year-old grandma! (a grandma that really rocks, I might add!)

[brush]

26. Yep! In every debate he started out well then ran out of gas about 2/3s in.

That's about the limit of his concentration span.

Oh, the irony. His stamina did hold up.

She destroyed him in every debate.

[DCBob]

25. Beautiful!

[cally]

27. Best analysis I have seen

Clinton destroyed Trump with a masterful team and preparation. It's a revenge of the political nerds!

[BumRushDaShow]

28. Trump said, “I sat in my apartment today ..."

And what Klein missed was Hillary's quick retort - "Built with Chinese steel".



I don't think I've read if any of the pundits caught that and wrote about it.

[lovemydog]

37. 'Built with Chinese steel'

Yes, I saw that too. When she said that my friend and I burst out laughing.

Have a good weekend BRDS!

[BumRushDaShow]

38. She got that quip in with perfect timing too

Hope you enjoy the weekend as well!

[democrattotheend]

29. But she was too nasty!

[JGug1]

30. Debates VS Revealed Behavior

I think that it is far more likely that Trump has cratered because of the revelations of sexual misconduct, not because of the debates. I don't think the helped himself with the debates but I do not think they are what has put him where he is.

[jaysunb]

32. Wrong LOL n/t

[DFW]

34. If I may be permitted a dissent to this argument

From what I saw, Hillary was just herself. If this surprised anyone, it means that a lot more people bought into the media's trashing of her than should have. She has never been the lightweight so many people seem to have wanted her to be.

It was, in my opinion, Trump's own absolutely miserable performance that left his campaign in ruins. He was on the biggest and most broadly visible platform any presidential candidate ever gets in order to let the country make a valid comparison between the two, and he was so lacking in substance and demeanor that he destroyed himself in front of the biggest audience he'll ever get.

Hillary didn't even need to give him much of a shove--Trump jumped into the abyss feet first. Hillary just pointed the way, and in he went.

[YOHABLO]

40. It also speaks volumes about an element of character that presides in a large portion of our society

[DFW]

41. A portion that is WAY too large

Twenty years of Fox Noise will do that to you..........

[lovemydog]

35. I'm so impressed with her performance in the debates.

She maintained focus on the issues and how the president can do what's best for most Americans.

She's incredibly smart and does not wilt under pressure.

She'll keep moving our country forward, as the Obama Administration has done.

Kudos to Hillary Clinton.

[YOHABLO]

39. Look it wasn't as if were going to be hard for a pro like Hillary. She's far more intelligent.

[UCmeNdc]

43. K&R

[colorado_ufo]

44. I think she worries Putin.

[GOLGO 13]

45. TRUMP is the new template for the GOP nomination. Crazy is the new "norm" for them now.