On Wednesday night, US presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton faced each other in the third and final pre-election debate.
The debate was by far the best and most presidential of the three.
Critical issues were discussed and the candidates actually provided some insight into what it would be like to have them at the helm.
Immigration, the economy, foreign policy, including the fight against ISIS and terrorism, were among the key matters discussed.
Going into the debate – hosted in Las Vegas – Trump was trailing by 9 points in the CBS polls. According to CBS, the news channel, no candidate has ever recovered from such a margin, so close to the election.
Whether Trump can claw his way back remains to be seen.
The economy was always going to be a massive talking point.
Trump reiterated his views about jobs being lost to the Chinese, the Mexicans and other foreign nations. Proposing instead to implement major tax cuts, the amendment of trade agreements with Mexico & other partners, which would enable big business to create more jobs.
Clinton argued that the focus must be on growing the middle class. She argued that the trickle-down economics proposed by Trump would only make the wealthy, wealthier.
On the issue of immigration, nothing new emerged.
Trump’s proposal for a wall paid for by Mexico and a massive deportation drive was repeated.
Clinton instead, called for a more calculated approach as a possible massive drive for deportation would separate families. She called for an opportunity to allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain the correct documentation.
A stand-out moment was when Trump was asked if he would accept the outcome of the election results.
In the lead-up to the debate, mixed messages had been coming from Trump’s camp about whether the final result would be accepted. Trump’s running mate Mike Pence had said his team would accept the result completely.
Trump’s daughter Ivanka had also publicly stated that this would be the case.
Meanwhile Trump, speaking at a few rallies, had openly questioned the election process and warned his supporters to be weary of a rigged election.
Asked to set the record straight on whether he would accept the record, Trump said he would not give a response immediately. Instead he said: “I will tell you at the time”.
I think this is one major issue that may further alienate some undecided voters.
Trump also took a swipe at the media for brainwashing the people and conspiring against him.
He also took some heat around his treatment of women.
A recent leaked video exposing his disgusting comments about his treatment of women was discussed. Trump’s excuse for making those remarks was that it was just “Locker room banter”, and later “locker room talk”.
Nine women had subsequently emerged saying Trump had tried to sexually assault them, one way or another.
Asked for a response, Trump dismissed the allegations as women who were simply seeking fame or attention.
He even went on to say there was no one “who respects women more than me”.
That solicited a few gasps in the crowd – understandably.
Clinton also came under fire around the question of whether she – in her time as Secretary of State – had given preferential treatment & access including government contracts to some donors of the Clinton foundation.
Clinton defended the foundation, arguing it had done very good work around the world, and had faced the necessary checks and balances, and had not been found wanting.
Whatever your view on the US election, this debate is one to watch. Clinton easily emerged the winner. While both candidates remained mature and calm, Clinton is the only one that spoke like an adult and made sense.
Clinton argued that the button for nuclear weapons should not be in Trump’s control, and I agree.
With less than 20 days to the historic election on November 8, it will be interesting to see how each candidate concludes their campaign.
You can watch the full debate, it’s worth it: