There is no sense in trying to analyze this one based on content.
Trump's strategy was to deflect every question to prepared and
overworked talking points. The pictures, however say it all. The
kinesics and proxemics in this debate were everything.
Things began by looking pretty normal for a town hall format. Hillary looked very executive. By that I mean
Chief Executive.
She also looked beautiful. I know that is shallow, so shoot me. It's
been a long night of looking upon the very unpleasant countenance of
Trump. Hillary's appearance was a form a refreshment in a desert of
suits made in Mexico and ties made in China.
Look. Pictures are worth thousands of words.
When Trump was talking Hillary remained seated and engaged.
When Hillary was speaking, Trump remained standing.
Hillary seated. Trump standing and speaking.
Hillary speaking. Trump standing and looking challenging.
Even when he is pointing at her (rudely) she remains seated.
She also smiles a lot. Her face remains pleasant. She remained composed throughout and her demeanor was always appropriate.
Then
Trump begins doing the most bizarre thing. He stands behind her in a
way that came on the TV screen like a Jennifer Lawrence photo bomb. It
appeared on TV screens as threatening, stalker-like behavior.
She's
talking and he interrupts. The appearance is that of a duet. But it
was her turn. He was told several times not to intrude on her time.
He scowls.
What
is this? She is speaking to the person with the question. He has
apparently lost interest. He walks around like a bored teenager waiting
for the ticket window at the rock fest to open.
Look at his face when she is speaking.
What's this? Leaning on his chair? Where is the stamina? But he will not sit. Must maintain the advantage of his height.
Maybe he thought it looked presidential.
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| Civil War |
 |
| Cuban Missile Crisis |
In Trump's case, the chair is holding him up. Why doesn't he just sit down? At least in
1776 when the founding fathers sing "
Sit down, John," John Adams was actually speaking and making sense.. Trump just seems to need a respite. She is talking.
 |
| Debating the first woman nominated by a major party for president. |
Lurking in the background.
While Hillary sits attentively when he has the floor.
Like a two-year-old. My back is turned. You can't see me.
Mussolini face. Il Duce lives! Viva!
Such a sourpuss.
Even when he tried to smile the scowly face comes through.
The attempts at smiles look more like mugging.
But Hillary remained composed, pleasant, and presidential throughout.
As
far as content went, this debate was a spider's web. Trump spun off
questions into so many unrelated topics that Twitter was rife with
people asking what he was talking about. For Hillary even to attempt to
refute the unrelated kitchen sink of statements would have taken far
more than the two-minute allotments. She was onto his game and said she
knew he was "into big diversion" to get away from how his campaign was
going. Not only was his body language menacing, Trump threatened her
with a special prosecutor to "look into her situation" (whatever that is
supposed to mean) should he be elected.
This was far from an
informative debate, no fault of Hillary's. Trump was so contentious
that at one point he switched to debating moderator, Martha Raddatz, who
actually has been in war zones, as Trump has not, and knows something
about military strategy while Trump does not. Trump drove so many
ersatz topics onto the floor in tiny time capsules that there was no way
for Hillary to load on with refutation. She let him have his head
because that's what you do with a mad, feral animal which is what Trump
was. He is completely undisciplined, untamed, and lacks all capacity for
improvement. Not redeemable.
Visually, there were times when
Trump appeared to be stalking Hillary. Pacing back and forth while she
spoke. It was most unsettling.
This was not the best presidential
debate in our history. In fact it was creepy. None of that was
Hillary's fault. She tried her best to keep this on topic and on issue.
Trump used every distraction in opposition to her attempts. How we
score winning and losing should not be based on whether his tactics
succeeded. It should be based on which candidate answered the questions
and did not drive the car into a ditch.
Here is the transcript >>>>
It was difficult to keep up with the incohesive barrage of buckshot
Trump sprayed far and wide, but the infinitely patient fact-checkers at
The Briefing offer
this.
Do you think Hillary did a great job last night? Give her a boost!
Chip in! She has your back. Let her know you have hers!
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