As I attempt to write about the spirited presidential debate that took place on Monday night, I must admit my head's still spinning both because of the content and the energy displayed within that 90-minute period. It was certainly great TV, with the award for most entertainment going to Trump and the award for best prepared going to Clinton. Polls show it's still a tight race for Nov. 8, but on Monday the choices were becoming starker by the syllable.
The first contrast to note on Monday was that Hillary was running as president-elect of the United States, and Trump was simply running as himself: the Donald.
Hillary's grandiose statements about jobs and personal testimonies about her upbringing were all textbook examples of proper debate technique and rhetoric. These methods were so brilliantly executed and well rehearsed, it was hard to believe there is likely little to no sincerity behind them. She is the professional politician, perhaps more than any candidate ever.
Trump argued, badgered, and rambled like a guy you might debate while riding the subway through the not-so-nice part of New York City. But what he lacked in form is actually what appeals to many fans of Trump; he doesn't sound like he is from Washington, he sounds like someone you might actually know - probably a crazy uncle, but still a real person.
The next contrast was the question of experience. Trump keeps coming back to the simple idea that he is rich through hard work and smart business decisions - and that he can fix America with the same techniques. Clinton argues that she built the American government as it exists today, and given that she knows it best, she is best suited to use it to set the nation on a path to prosperity.
Their rebuttals on this point were extreme. Trump simply pointed to ISIS, joblessness, the porous border with Mexico and asked Clinton how she could think she did a good job in the last 30 years given the problems America faces. Clinton pointed to Trump's bankruptcies, owing money to several different companies and contractors, as well as his hurtful remarks over the years as evidence that he couldn't be trusted with the treasury or to properly bargain with other powers.
Of course both candidates went far over their allotted times to respond to one another or to make an opening statement on a given topic. Both candidates also failed on many occasions to say anything of substance regarding their particular economic plans or foreign policies; this was harder to see with Clinton given her polish, but as Trump well pointed out, bragging about agreements leading to a nuclear Iran or enormous trade deficits hardly makes any real sense.
However, and perhaps the most striking contrast, was the personal attacks utilized by Clinton compared to Trump's focus on his opponent's record. For all his failures, throughout the debate Trump did not ever go after Clinton personally or her family in any serious way, save for a comment about her lack of stamina for the presidency (which given her recent physical collapse on the anniversary of 9/11 is almost fair comment and barely noteworthy).
This difference in behaviour reached a climax at the last word: Clinton all but admonished the audience that this election was a vote for the future of America, the inference being a Trump presidency meant apocalypse.
Trump's last word was that he wanted to make America great again and he would totally support Clinton if she won in November. Two less congruent statements could not have been made if either candidate had tried.
And perhaps this is the simplest microcosm to explain how America is in the state it is today.
Clinton is the establishment. In her circles, stopping at nothing while wearing a smile is a completely acceptable method and mindset.
The DNC leaks have shown she promoted doubts about Obama's birthplace as well, and like Obama's palpable disdain for Romney in 2012, the elitist attitude clearly pervades the upper echelons of the Democratic Party.
Trump acts like a bully and a buffoon, but no one doubts that he is indeed a human being with sincere feelings for his country.
As I've said before, he is a man of the angry people, American citizens of many different stripes and backgrounds that think the nation has been on the wrong course for sometime.
No one knows what will happen in November, but this debate showed one thing if nothing else: the establishment, via Clinton, has still failed to understand Trump's appeal and momentum.
And that might cost them the White House.
