A CNN/ORC poll found 57% of watchers of the second presidential debate thought presidential nominee Democrat Hillary Clinton won it, compared to 34% who thought Republican nominee Donald Trump came out on top. The poll only represents the views of people who watched the debate and has a slight advantage than average CNN polls of all Americans.
Prior to the main-stage event, peripheral campaign character barbs stole the attention of any meaningful discussion of fiscal and social issues. Questions asked at the beginning of the townhall-style debate set the tone.
A tape released on Friday, Oct. 7 from more than 10 years ago showed Trump describing in reprehensible terms the aggressive advances he made on women, CNN reported. Trump’s campaign, however, did not sit back on its heels. He fired back with a last-minute press conference featuring women who had accused Bill Clinton of inappropriate sexual behavior. Alleged victims shared their viewpoints, including specifically saying, “Actions speak louder than words. Mr. Trump may have said some bad words but Bill Clinton raped me and Hillary Clinton threatened me. I don’t think there’s any comparison.”
Character vetting forced both nominees to respond to the largest-ever social media audience, since social media’s inception. Clinton maintained her stance that she will not address her husband’s women abuse allegations, and Trump deflected allegations that he has any real threatening personality traits.
Some substantive conversation arose, when both nominees addressed campaign finance laws, taxes, and the US Supreme Court’s vacancy – filling the late Justice Antonin Scalia’s former seat.
Who do you think won the second presidential debate?
