Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump faced off in a heated debate Monday discussing issues ranging from racial divisions to job growth to trade deals.
Clinton began the debate by addressing moderator Lester Holt’s question on job growth. She stressed closing the gender gap and focusing on small businesses as ways to stimulate growth, while Trump said the solution is bringing American jobs back to American soil.
UW-Madison journalism professor Michael Wagner said Trump focused on highlighting issues facing the country, whereas Clinton emphasized her ideas going forward.
“Trump did a lot of diagnosing, saying things like ‘This is very bad, this is terrible,’ etc.,” Wagner said at a debate panel at Union South. “Clinton did a lot of prescribing, ‘This is how I plan to fix this.’”
While the night continued, the two candidates continued to focus on similar trends. Trump kept his focus on foreign affairs, stressing that the U.S. holds little respect and control in today’s global climate. Clinton appeared very prepared, referring to many of her policy plans, such as raising the minimum wage, criminal justice reform and bolstering defense agreements with allies.
Both candidates addressed scandals plaguing their campaigns. Clinton’s use of a private email server arose when Holt asked Trump why he hasn’t released his tax returns to the public.
“I’ll release my tax returns as soon as Clinton releases her emails,” Trump said in acknowledgment that he hasn’t released his tax returns despite requests to do so. Clinton has been under attack throughout most of her campaign for using a personal email server during her time as secretary of state.
Clinton responded to the comment on her email server by saying, “It was a mistake, and I take full responsibility for it.”
The debate continued with Clinton accusing Trump of building his empire on the “backs of little guys.” Claiming that he refused to pay the “the little guys” their rightful pay, Trump responded saying that maybe those workers didn’t complete their jobs to his satisfaction. He continued to defend his company, saying it was “an incredible company” worth several billion dollars.
Race issues played a large role in tonight’s debate, as protests continue in Charlotte, N.C., after the officer involved shooting of Keith Scott.
“The African American community has been let down by our politicians,” Trump said on the issue. “The community has been so badly treated. They’ve been abused and used.”
Trump alleged that many members of the black community often cast their vote for the candidate they feel will help most, but that politicians usually forget the black community when they arrive in office.
As the debate moved on to the highly discussed international affairs portion, both candidates began attacking their counterpart’s strategies.
“ISIS formed in this vacuum created by Barack Obama and Secretary Clinton,” Trump said moments after Clinton accused him of supporting entering the war in Iraq.
“I have much better judgement than she has,” Trump said, claiming he’d be better equipped to decide foreign policy. Clinton responded by saying Trump’s “cavalier” attitude about nuclear war shows his inability to be Commander in Chief.
Clinton said she wants “to reassure our allies in Japan and South Korea and elsewhere that we have mutual defense treaties and we will honor them. It is essential that America's word be good.”
The debate ended with Clinton saying she’ll support the democratic process, regardless of who wins. Trump said that he will “absolutely support” Clinton if she becomes president, despite feeling that she will not “make America great again.”
Kathy Cramer, faculty director of the Morgridge Center for Public Service, told the Union South panel that the emotional nature of the 2016 election was evidenced in Tuesday’s debate.
“The emotional tone of each of their performances will influence undecided voters,” Cramer said. “Trump implied that America is a war zone, and sounded fearful. Clinton reassured us that we can fix [our problems], she told us to do something. Clinton was more positive, and research historically shows positive messages having a larger effect.”
There will be two more presidential debates before the nation goes to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8.
