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Presidential debate looms as Clinton-Trump race tightens – campaign live Presidential debate: Clinton-Trump race tight as hour approaches – election live
(35 minutes later)
11.56pm BST
23:56
Take from a guy who was in Congress for 60 years:
Donald Trump couldn't pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were printed on the heel. Looking forward to this debate.
(Dingell, 90, is a Democrat.)
11.53pm BST
23:53
This is going to be a zoo, isn’t it.....
VIPs starting to filter into spin room. @mike_pence and @mcuban pic.twitter.com/MMExyIVyiM
11.44pm BST
23:44
American politics is not for sa– oh, Mr Adelson. Right this way:
The Adelsons have some prime real estate in Trump section -- 4 seats, 3rd row#Debates2016 pic.twitter.com/VGYKeJwqET
11.41pm BST
23:41
This is unprecedented for any of the primary debates or the conventions, as far as we experienced or heard about: the powers that be at the debate site are scanning for rogue hotspot connections and disabling them so they can charge people to use the local network.
Technicians patrolling #debatenight press file using this device to detect & shut down hotspots, so they can sell $200 wifi accounts instead pic.twitter.com/JzbkzlZR1g
Update: there’s also a trigger warning placard outside the hall.
Graphic evidence of what has gone so wrong in our nation & on our campuses - #Hofstra trigger warning for #debatenight pic.twitter.com/HaowQSO7EN
Updated
at 11.57pm BST
11.33pm BST
23:33
About 350 souvenir tickets to tonight’s debate for Hofstra University students misspell the Democratic nominee’s name:
Um, @HofstraU—please get your shit together and, I dunno, SPELLCHECK THE NAMES OF THE #debatenight participants?! IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK? pic.twitter.com/AsUnJjApNH
Hofstra University spokeswoman Karla Schuster said in a statement emailed to NBC 4 New York:
These tickets are not official tickets to the debate. They were printed at the last minute to create a souvenir for the students. We’ll be reprinting them for all those who won tickets.
Updated
at 11.46pm BST
11.30pm BST
23:30
What will the first debate question be?
#ff @johnjharwood, who supplies precedents:
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 1960, to JFK - The VP has said you were naive and at times immature. Why do you think people should vote for you?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 1976 to Carter: Your #1 priority is reducing unemployment. What specifically would your first step be next January?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 1980, to Carter - What are differences between the two of you on the uses of American military power?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 1984, to Reagan - In 1980 you promised to balance the budget. We’ve had bigger deficits. Do you have a secret plan?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 1988, to Bush - What is it about these times that drives or draws so many Americans to use drugs?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 1992, to Perot - What do you believe tonight is the single most important separating issue of this campaign?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 1996, to Clinton - How would you define the difference in your view of the role of federal government w/Sen Dole?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 2000, to Gore - You’ve questioned that Gov Bush has the experience to be president of US. What exactly do you mean?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 2004, to Kerry - Do you believe you could do a better job than President Bush in preventing another 9/11?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 2008, to Obama and McCain - Where do you stand on the financial recovery plan?
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 2012, to Obama and Romney - What are major differences between the two of you about how you would create new jobs?
Which was the best first debate question?
Which would you use tonight? How about:
FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS: 2016, to Trump and Clinton: You’re the two most loathed presidential nominees in US history. Why do you think that is?
11.19pm BST11.19pm BST
23:1923:19
Trump arrives at HofstraTrump arrives at Hofstra
The reportorial pool attending Trump reports that he is on the scene now at Hofstra university. MSNBC had footage of him exiting an SUV and entering a building.The reportorial pool attending Trump reports that he is on the scene now at Hofstra university. MSNBC had footage of him exiting an SUV and entering a building.
Anybody feeling butterflies yet?Anybody feeling butterflies yet?
11.12pm BST11.12pm BST
23:1223:12
The Guardian’s Dan Roberts, Sabrina Siddiqui and Ben Jacobs are on the scene at Hofstra university in Hempstead, New York:The Guardian’s Dan Roberts, Sabrina Siddiqui and Ben Jacobs are on the scene at Hofstra university in Hempstead, New York:
11.10pm BST11.10pm BST
23:1023:10
Haters and losers and bears, oh my!Haters and losers and bears, oh my!
Trump tweeted this two years ago today: https://t.co/vT8oJdagRETrump tweeted this two years ago today: https://t.co/vT8oJdagRE
I wonder if I run for PRESIDENT, will the haters and losers vote for me knowing that I will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN? I say they will!I wonder if I run for PRESIDENT, will the haters and losers vote for me knowing that I will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN? I say they will!
11.08pm BST11.08pm BST
23:0823:08
It’s that kind of night in America. (What is the Portland police department going to do if Trump wins the presidency? Send out a drunken driving advisory for every state of the union address, every Brady briefing room appearance, every time Trump walks out of the White House and gets his helicopter?)It’s that kind of night in America. (What is the Portland police department going to do if Trump wins the presidency? Send out a drunken driving advisory for every state of the union address, every Brady briefing room appearance, every time Trump walks out of the White House and gets his helicopter?)
If you are planning to consume alcohol or marijuana while watching #DebateNight please do not get behind the wheel. pic.twitter.com/g2Ib33M1aXIf you are planning to consume alcohol or marijuana while watching #DebateNight please do not get behind the wheel. pic.twitter.com/g2Ib33M1aX
(@monachalabi)(@monachalabi)
10.58pm BST10.58pm BST
22:5822:58
Trump directed erstwhile income to foundation – reportTrump directed erstwhile income to foundation – report
The Trump campaign has elected not to answer questions about suspect donations by the Trump foundation – seemingly for political purposes – or purchases by the foundation – seemingly to cover Trump’s personal costs, or even to settle lawsuits tied to Trump’s for-profit businesses.The Trump campaign has elected not to answer questions about suspect donations by the Trump foundation – seemingly for political purposes – or purchases by the foundation – seemingly to cover Trump’s personal costs, or even to settle lawsuits tied to Trump’s for-profit businesses.
We know all about the strange way the Trump foundation operates thanks to dogged reporting by David Fahrenthold of the Washington Post.We know all about the strange way the Trump foundation operates thanks to dogged reporting by David Fahrenthold of the Washington Post.
Late this afternoon, Farenthold published another bombshell: after Trump stopped giving money to his foundation years ago, it received millions in payments from companies that owed money to Trump or one of his businesses “but were instructed to pay Trump’s tax-exempt foundation instead, according to people familiar with the transactions”.Late this afternoon, Farenthold published another bombshell: after Trump stopped giving money to his foundation years ago, it received millions in payments from companies that owed money to Trump or one of his businesses “but were instructed to pay Trump’s tax-exempt foundation instead, according to people familiar with the transactions”.
From the Post report:From the Post report:
In cases where he diverted his own income to his foundation, tax experts said, Trump would still likely be required to pay taxes on the income. Trump has refused to release his personal tax returns. His campaign said he paid income tax on one of the donations, but did not respond to questions about the others.In cases where he diverted his own income to his foundation, tax experts said, Trump would still likely be required to pay taxes on the income. Trump has refused to release his personal tax returns. His campaign said he paid income tax on one of the donations, but did not respond to questions about the others.
That gift was a $400,000 payment from Comedy Central, which owed Trump an appearance fee for his 2011 “roast.”That gift was a $400,000 payment from Comedy Central, which owed Trump an appearance fee for his 2011 “roast.”
Then there were payments totaling nearly $1.9 million from a man in New York City who sells sought-after tickets and one-of-a-kind experiences to wealthy clients.Then there were payments totaling nearly $1.9 million from a man in New York City who sells sought-after tickets and one-of-a-kind experiences to wealthy clients.
That man, Richard Ebers, bought goods and services — including tickets — from Trump or his businesses, according to two people familiar with the transactions, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the payments. They said that Ebers was instructed to pay the Donald J. Trump Foundation instead. Ebers did not respond to requests for comment.That man, Richard Ebers, bought goods and services — including tickets — from Trump or his businesses, according to two people familiar with the transactions, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the payments. They said that Ebers was instructed to pay the Donald J. Trump Foundation instead. Ebers did not respond to requests for comment.
The gifts begin to answer one of the mysteries surrounding the foundation: Why would other people continue giving to Trump’s charity when Trump himself gave his last recorded donation in 2008?The gifts begin to answer one of the mysteries surrounding the foundation: Why would other people continue giving to Trump’s charity when Trump himself gave his last recorded donation in 2008?
Read the full piece here.Read the full piece here.
10.48pm BST
22:48
David Smith
Here’s Guardian Washington correspondent David Smith with a longer explanation for that series of Barack Obama photos a couple blocks back:
Barack Obama was honoured in a traditional blanketing ceremony on Monday and sought to reassure American Indians and Alaska Natives that his departure from office will not mean they are forgotten.
Obama has visited more of America’s 567 federally recognised tribal communities than any president and was introduced at their annual White House conference as a man who “kept his campaign promises”. There is trepidation in Indian Country at the possibility of Donald Trump taking his place.
The president donned a hat and was wrapped in a blanket by Brian Cladoosby, president of the National Congress of American Indians and chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribe, as an honour song filled the Mellon Auditorium. Cladoosby praised Obama’s legacy on Native American issues and warned delegates that “there is no guarantee going forward there will be the same commitment from the next administration”.
Obama described it as an “amazing honour” before removing the hat and blanket and giving a short speech that noted his administration had restored more than 428,000 acres of tribal homelands to their original owners. “I’ve been proud of what we’ve been able to do together,” he said. “We haven’t solved every issue. We haven’t righted every wrong. But together, we’ve made significant progress in almost every area.”
The president continued: “We’ve got to keep fighting to the finish line. Even after my time in this office comes to an end, I’m going to be standing alongside you because I believe that, yes, our progress depends in part on who sits in the Oval Office, and whether they’re setting the right priorities, but lasting progress depends on all of us, not just who the president is.”
Demonstrators gathered half a block away to protest against a $3.7 billion oil pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Obama was applauded as he acknowledged the controversy: “I know that many of you have come together across tribes and across the country to support the community at Standing Rock. And together, you’re making your voices heard.”
Interior secretary Sally Jewell told the conference that the administration will soon ask federal agencies to require that Native American treaty rights be considered in decision-making on natural resource projects.
Updated
at 10.49pm BST
10.39pm BST
22:39
Green party candidate ejected from debate vicinity
First the commission on presidential debates excluded Green party candidate Jill Stein from the debate stage.
Now Stein has been ejected from the vicinity:
We were on our way to an interview with @MSNBC when we were stopped by Hofstra security and Nassau County police just now. #debatenight pic.twitter.com/Y0fQjih47Y
Stein was escorted off campus. Gothamist has further:
A Nassau County police spokesperson told the Long Island Press that Stein lacked the appropriate credentials to be on campus ahead of tonight’s presidential debate.
10.25pm BST
22:25
10.04pm BST
22:04
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9.41pm BST
21:41
Still time to run out and grab dinner before the debate. Thanksgiving dinner:
Oh man - still more than 4 hours left on those countdown clocks
8.59pm BST
20:59
Fifty-six years ago today: John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon.
More than half a century ago tonight, more than 60 million Americans tuned in to the first televised presidential debate in American history. ABC News’ Bob Fleming hosted the hour-long debate between then-senator John F. Kennedy and then-vice president Richard Nixon, each of whom were allowed to give one eight-minute opening statement (that’s pretty long!) and were allowed 150 seconds to answer a series of questions from Fleming, with a 90-second opportunity for rebuttal. The closing remarks were three minutes long.
Those watching the televised debate saw Kennedy - young, handsome and recently tanned after a trip in California - as the victor, while dismissing Nixon as appearing sweaty, uncomfortable and untrustworthy.* Radio listeners, meanwhile, gave Nixon the edge.
*Of course, time would later prove the superficial judgments of the American television-watching public to be depressingly accurate.
8.39pm BST
20:39
Trump campaign releases white paper on economic plan
Hours before his upcoming televised duel with Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University on Long Island, Donald Trump’s campaign has released a white paper for his full economic policies, a first for his campaign.
“Donald Trump’s economic plan proposes tax cuts, reduced regulation, lower energy costs and eliminating America’s chronic trade deficit,” the campaign stated in a release, describing the 31-page paper penned by economist and policy advisor Peter Navarro and leveraged buyout billionaire Wilbur Ross. “Trump’s goal is to significantly increase America’s real GDP growth rate and thereby create millions of additional new jobs and trillions of dollars of additional income and tax revenues.”
The Trump plan, the campaign states, “generates positive and substantial tax revenue offsets from its synergistic suite of trade, regulatory and energy policy reforms,” a frequent claim made by laissez faire economists.
The report purports to fill “analytical gap” from the non-partisan Tax Foundation’s analysis of Trump’s tax plan, which the Tax Foundation deduced would reduce government revenue by between $2.6 trillion and $3.9 trillion.
The campaign release incorrectly implies that “the Tax Foundation does not score other elements of the Trump economic plan that are growth-inducing and therefore revenue-generating.” In fact, the $3.9 trillion figure accounts for what Trump says would be a larger economy - without that as a given, Trump’s plan would reduce federal revenue by between $4.4 trillion and $5.9 trillion, according to the tax foundation.
Updated
at 8.41pm BST
8.29pm BST
20:29
Hillary Clinton has made an aggressive play for younger voters this cycle, highlighting her campaign’s message of diversity and inclusiveness compared to that of Donald Trump, ’s history of “a candidate with a long history of racial discrimination in his businesses, who retweets white supremacists, who led the birther movement to delegitimize our first black president.”
But on the day of the first presidential debate of the general election campaign, Trump has jumped ahead of Clinton on sheer millennial-era social media savvy with the creation of a nationwide Snapchat geofilter, which allows Snapchat users to shoot a selfie of themselves under the banner “Donald J. Trump vs. Crooked Hillary,” as red-and-blue fireworks explode above his campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
(Yes, that’s me.)
It’s an unusual technical fail on the part of the Clinton campaign, which famously bought anti-Trump geofilters during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.
Updated
at 8.59pm BST
8.11pm BST
20:11
A classic from John Kasich’s former senior strategist:
Imagine a NASCAR driver mentally preparing for a race knowing one of the drivers will be drunk. That's what prepping for this debate is like
8.00pm BST
20:00
Another poll shows Clinton leading ahead of tonight's debate
Six hours before the first presidential debate of the 2016 general election campaign, a new poll from NBC News and SurveyMonkey’s weekly tracking poll shows Hillary Clinton leading Donald Trump by 5 points, 45% to 40%, with no change from the week before.
Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson trails behind with 10% support, and Green nominee Jill Stein has 3% support. In a face-to-face matchup against Trump, Clinton increases her lead to 7 points, 51% to 44%, an increase from last week’s margin of 5 points.