This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/26/us/politics/presidential-debate.html

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Presidential Debate: New Polls Show Dead Heat Between Trump and Clinton Presidential Debate: New Polls Show Dead Heat Between Trump and Clinton
(about 4 hours later)
The face-off Monday night between Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump is, for good reason, among the most highly anticipated presidential debates in American history, with new polls showing the contest essentially tied.The face-off Monday night between Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump is, for good reason, among the most highly anticipated presidential debates in American history, with new polls showing the contest essentially tied.
The spectacle of it alone is alluring: one of the world’s most famous women onstage for 90 commercial-free minutes alongside one of the country’s most recognizable men, in the ultimate convergence of celebrity and politics.The spectacle of it alone is alluring: one of the world’s most famous women onstage for 90 commercial-free minutes alongside one of the country’s most recognizable men, in the ultimate convergence of celebrity and politics.
But with a presidential race that once seemed to be tipping in Mrs. Clinton’s favor growing more competitive as early voting begins, the debate at Hofstra University in New York is far more than a made-for-TV moment.But with a presidential race that once seemed to be tipping in Mrs. Clinton’s favor growing more competitive as early voting begins, the debate at Hofstra University in New York is far more than a made-for-TV moment.
Quinnipiac University declared the race “too close to call” on Monday, as its latest national poll of likely voters found Mrs. Clinton edging Mr. Trump by a margin of 47 percent to 46 percent in a head-to-head matchup.Quinnipiac University declared the race “too close to call” on Monday, as its latest national poll of likely voters found Mrs. Clinton edging Mr. Trump by a margin of 47 percent to 46 percent in a head-to-head matchup.
A separate poll of likely voters from Monmouth University showed Mrs. Clinton holding a lead of four-percentage points in a four-way contest, leading by a margin of 46 percent to 44 percent. A month ago, Mrs. Clinton led by 7 points.A separate poll of likely voters from Monmouth University showed Mrs. Clinton holding a lead of four-percentage points in a four-way contest, leading by a margin of 46 percent to 44 percent. A month ago, Mrs. Clinton led by 7 points.
Polls conducted CNN/ORC in Colorado and Pennsylvania that included Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, the Libertarian and Green Party candidates, also offered little clarity. Mr. Trump holds a one percentage point advantage in Colorado, while Mrs. Clinton leads by the same margin in Pennsylvania.Polls conducted CNN/ORC in Colorado and Pennsylvania that included Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, the Libertarian and Green Party candidates, also offered little clarity. Mr. Trump holds a one percentage point advantage in Colorado, while Mrs. Clinton leads by the same margin in Pennsylvania.
In both states, voters with college degrees overwhelmingly support Mrs. Clinton. Those with less education heavily favor Mr. Trump.In both states, voters with college degrees overwhelmingly support Mrs. Clinton. Those with less education heavily favor Mr. Trump.
Here is what else to look for as the candidates try to motivate — or reassure — supporters and win over a small group of undecided voters. Here is what esle to look for as the candidates try to motivate — or reassure — supporters and win over a small group of undecided voters.
With a showman’s flair for generating publicity and a firebrand’s talent for touching the rawest of nerves, Mr. Trump has effectively harnessed the angst of many in the country who are not feeling the effects of the economic upswing, have tired of prolonged wars or have grievances about a changing country.With a showman’s flair for generating publicity and a firebrand’s talent for touching the rawest of nerves, Mr. Trump has effectively harnessed the angst of many in the country who are not feeling the effects of the economic upswing, have tired of prolonged wars or have grievances about a changing country.
But surveys show that a majority of Americans still believe he is unqualified to be president. If Mr. Trump is to convince those voters who have doubts about his fitness for high office, but are uneasy with Mrs. Clinton, the three debates represent his best opportunity to prove he can be trusted to serve as a head of state. He has to show discipline when it comes to how he engages Mrs. Clinton, challenging her without belittling her, and at least show he is conversant on foreign and domestic policy issues.But surveys show that a majority of Americans still believe he is unqualified to be president. If Mr. Trump is to convince those voters who have doubts about his fitness for high office, but are uneasy with Mrs. Clinton, the three debates represent his best opportunity to prove he can be trusted to serve as a head of state. He has to show discipline when it comes to how he engages Mrs. Clinton, challenging her without belittling her, and at least show he is conversant on foreign and domestic policy issues.
Just as Ronald Reagan did in 1980 and George W. Bush did in 2000, Mr. Trump faces a threshold test about whether he is up to the job. But neither Mr. Reagan nor Mr. Bush faced the same level of doubt as Mr. Trump does today. The provocateur must show he can be a president.
It is no stretch to believe that in her internal monologue — and perhaps in intimate conversations — Mrs. Clinton wonders how she could possibly be locked in a competitive contest with a casino executive turned reality TV personality who has never run for office and has no foreign policy experience. But if Mrs. Clinton betrays any such incredulity, she risks bringing what she may think is the unthinkable that much closer to reality.It is no stretch to believe that in her internal monologue — and perhaps in intimate conversations — Mrs. Clinton wonders how she could possibly be locked in a competitive contest with a casino executive turned reality TV personality who has never run for office and has no foreign policy experience. But if Mrs. Clinton betrays any such incredulity, she risks bringing what she may think is the unthinkable that much closer to reality.
Whether it is with her body language, her tone or her words, Mrs. Clinton cannot appear contemptuous of the voters for considering the star of “The Apprentice” for the office of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. Just as Mr. Trump will undermine his prospects if he hurls insults at Mrs. Clinton, she must mask her contempt for him and persuade, not scold, voters. She needs only to ask Al Gore about how effective eye-rolling and sighing are when contending with an opponent you can barely believe is on the same stage. Whether it is with her body language, her tone or her words, Mrs. Clinton cannot appear contemptuous of the voters for considering the star of “The Apprentice” for the office of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.
If Mrs. Clinton must guard against condescension, Mr. Trump has to worry about being exposed to a global audience as devoid of all but bluster. During the Republican primary race, he benefited from sharing a stage with numerous rivals, each of whom was eager for the airtime during a season in which Mr. Trump thoroughly dominated television news. Since his campaign’s low point this summer, when he was criticized for frequently taking it off script, Mr. Trump has put aside his mockery of politicians who use teleprompters and he now reads from prepared text at even some of his most informal events.If Mrs. Clinton must guard against condescension, Mr. Trump has to worry about being exposed to a global audience as devoid of all but bluster. During the Republican primary race, he benefited from sharing a stage with numerous rivals, each of whom was eager for the airtime during a season in which Mr. Trump thoroughly dominated television news. Since his campaign’s low point this summer, when he was criticized for frequently taking it off script, Mr. Trump has put aside his mockery of politicians who use teleprompters and he now reads from prepared text at even some of his most informal events.
But Mr. Trump now lacks safety in numbers on the stage. And when he looks into the camera Monday evening, there will be no well-chosen words for him to read. He must summon the stamina to engage fully for 90 minutes and the knowledge to answer to a battery of policy questions from both the moderator, Lester Holt of NBC, and Mrs. Clinton. A long silence, a mistaken guess or an angry dismissal all would serve to reinforce one of his biggest vulnerabilities: that he knows next to nothing about substance. But Mr. Trump now lacks safety in numbers on the stage. And when he looks into the camera Monday evening, there will be no well-chosen words for him to read. A long silence, a mistaken guess or an angry dismissal all would serve to reinforce one of his biggest vulnerabilities: that he knows next to nothing about substance.
Mrs. Clinton has seen her advantage in the race erode in part because she is having difficulty locking in voters who should otherwise be hers. Just take a look at how many young voters are now indicating in polls that they support one of the third-party candidates or at the hostility the remaining undecided voters have toward Mr. Trump.Mrs. Clinton has seen her advantage in the race erode in part because she is having difficulty locking in voters who should otherwise be hers. Just take a look at how many young voters are now indicating in polls that they support one of the third-party candidates or at the hostility the remaining undecided voters have toward Mr. Trump.
As Mrs. Clinton has conceded, she must appeal to this portion of the electorate with an affirmative case for herself — not only slashing attacks on Mr. Trump. To win them over, she will need a ready answer when the inevitable question comes about her use of a private email server as secretary of state.As Mrs. Clinton has conceded, she must appeal to this portion of the electorate with an affirmative case for herself — not only slashing attacks on Mr. Trump. To win them over, she will need a ready answer when the inevitable question comes about her use of a private email server as secretary of state.
This moment presents an opportunity for her to not only address the narrow matter of her emails, but to offer an acknowledgment to on-the-fence voters that she has heard their concerns about her trustworthiness. She must show self-awareness about the perceptions of her character and the view that she personifies the detested political class. Mrs. Clinton may be uncomfortable hanging a lantern on her problem, to borrow a Robert Kennedy phrase, but it would signal to reluctant, would-be supporters that she has heard their concerns.
The two candidates will not be the only ones under the microscope at Hofstra: Mr. Holt is likely to face the sort of scrutiny rarely seen of debate moderators. With his willingness to breezily tell untruths, Mr. Trump presents a unique challenge to all journalists covering the campaign. But having to hold him accountable in real time while millions across the world watch is a burden of a different order of magnitude.The two candidates will not be the only ones under the microscope at Hofstra: Mr. Holt is likely to face the sort of scrutiny rarely seen of debate moderators. With his willingness to breezily tell untruths, Mr. Trump presents a unique challenge to all journalists covering the campaign. But having to hold him accountable in real time while millions across the world watch is a burden of a different order of magnitude.
Mr. Holt cannot waver when Mr. Trump dissembles. But the NBC anchor also must be careful to not become argumentative and let Mr. Trump make him the story, evading the substance at hand. At the same time, Mr. Holt has to aggressively press Mrs. Clinton and scrutinize her record and past statements.Mr. Holt cannot waver when Mr. Trump dissembles. But the NBC anchor also must be careful to not become argumentative and let Mr. Trump make him the story, evading the substance at hand. At the same time, Mr. Holt has to aggressively press Mrs. Clinton and scrutinize her record and past statements.
Finding this balance — holding a norm-breaking politician to account while also not seeming to go any easier on his conventional opponent — would be difficult under the best of circumstances. But the pressure on Mr. Holt to control the stage has been heightened by the much-criticized performance from his NBC colleague, Matt Lauer, at a televised candidate forum this month. And there is something else adding to the weight on Mr. Holt: the presidency is on the line. Donald J. Trump has been complaining about the media for months and last week suggested that Lester Holt, the NBC anchor who is moderating the debate, might be biased against him because of his party affiliation.
Donald J. Trump has been complaining about the media for months and last week suggested that Mr. Holt, the NBC anchor who is moderating the debate, might be biased against him because of his party affiliation.
“And by the way, Lester is a Democrat,” Mr. Trump told Bill O’Reilly of Fox News.“And by the way, Lester is a Democrat,” Mr. Trump told Bill O’Reilly of Fox News.
In fact, Mr. Holt is a Republican.In fact, Mr. Holt is a Republican.
On Monday, Kellyanne Conway, Mr. Trump’s campaign manager was pressed to explain why Mr. Trump misinformed the public about the newscaster’s party affiliation during an interview with MSNBC. After dodging and weaving, she rejected the idea that Mr. Trump lied about Mr. Holt.On Monday, Kellyanne Conway, Mr. Trump’s campaign manager was pressed to explain why Mr. Trump misinformed the public about the newscaster’s party affiliation during an interview with MSNBC. After dodging and weaving, she rejected the idea that Mr. Trump lied about Mr. Holt.
“He didn’t lie,” Ms. Conway said, arguing that Mr. Trump was unaware of Mr. Holt’s political leanings. “A lie would mean that he knew the man’s party registration.”“He didn’t lie,” Ms. Conway said, arguing that Mr. Trump was unaware of Mr. Holt’s political leanings. “A lie would mean that he knew the man’s party registration.”
The advertising wars went full apocalypse on debate day.
Priorities USA, the super PAC supporting Mrs. Clinton, unveiled a new 30-second ad calling for the “Trump Train” to be stopped in its tracks. With a hurtling train and haunting flames as a backdrop, the ad uses the Republican nominee’s own words to paint him as someone to dangerous to be president.
“I am not in favor of gay marriage,” Mr. Trump says in one clip, with the word “unequal” flashing across the screen.
Other clips play Mr. Trump calling for a low minimum wage, a ban on Muslim immigration and punishment for women who had abortions.
The ad also surfaces some of Mr. Trump’s sexist comments from years ago
“I said I’m going to get the bathing suits to be smaller and the heels to be higher,” Mr. Trump said in 1997 of his plans to reform the Miss USA pageant.
The Trump campaign, seeking to demonstrate that the Republican establishment has coalesced around Mr. Trump, announced on Monday the formation of the Bush Alumni Coalition, a group of more than 50 former Bush administration appointees who back the Republican nominee.
The list includes the likes of Donald Rumsfeld, the former defense secretary, Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary, and John Ashcroft, former U.S. Attorney General.
The coalition comes amid reports that former President George H. W. Bush will vote for Mrs. Clinton, and as former President George W. Bush and Jeb Bush, who ran against Mr. Trump in the primary contest, have declined to throw their support behind Mr. Trump.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the outgoing Democratic minority leader, pulled no punches on the floor of the senate on Monday, declaring unequivocally that Mr. Trump is “racist.”
“Donald Trump is a racist,” Mr. Reid said. “Racist is term I don’t throw around lightly.”
The attack took Mr. Reid’s criticism of Mr. Trump to new heights and he pointed to Mr. Trump’s proposed ban on Muslim immigration, his confrontation with a Muslim gold star family and his suggestion that a federal judge of Mexican heritage could not treat him fairly as evidence.
Mr. Reid also assigned blame to all Republicans for allowing Mr. Trump’s behavior to go unchecked and said it was doing damage to the country.
“Republicans are normalizing this racist behavior,” Mr. Reid said. “This will be their legacy.”
The Commission on Presidential Debates did not offer invitations to the first debate to Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, the Libertarian and Green Party nominees, and party crashing was taken seriously.
After holding a press conference at Hofstra, Ms. Stein was escorted away by campus security and local police for failing to have the appropriate credentials. The police van that took her away was stopped twice as she departed, Ms. Stein tweeted during the incident.
Ms. Stein was planning to hold a demonstration outside of the debate with her supporters on Monday night, according to a Long Island Press report.
Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson will be waching the debate from the Twitter offices in New York City, where he will attending their watch party and live tweeting his responses and reactions to the debate, per a Twitter spokesman.
■ Start time: 9 p.m. Eastern■ Start time: 9 p.m. Eastern
■ Duration: About 90 minutes■ Duration: About 90 minutes
■ Airing on TV: On NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, CNN and Fox News.■ Airing on TV: On NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, CNN and Fox News.
■ Streaming online: Right here at nytimes.com, as well as many other websites.■ Streaming online: Right here at nytimes.com, as well as many other websites.
Want more? We have a whole guide.Want more? We have a whole guide.