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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Sunday, October 09, 2016

Second Debate Does Little to Inspire Undecided Voters

On Friday, a 2005 videotape was released in which Donald Trump actually brags, in the most vulgar terms, of forcing himself on women just four months after his marriage to wife number three. While it seems highly unlikely that he can recover, his debate performance tonight appears to be strong enough to keep his base from jumping ship.

While Clinton gave very unsatisfactory answers about 33,000 deleted emails, and seems clueless how much this has damaged her in the eyes of the public, Trump reinforced the perception of him as a bully. He interrupted Clinton repeatedly and complained to moderators throughout the debate. But the strangest thing about his behavior was how he prowled and stalked while Clinton was speaking, sometimes interjecting himself into the camera shot. Pretty strange behavior from someone who is trying to dispel a negative image of him.

Trump said Clinton belongs in jail, and as President, he would see that Clinton is prosecuted. He even referred to her as the "devil" who has "hate in her heart." As much as I am sure Trumpions will love this, it will really hurt him among moderates.

When it comes to foreign policy, I am beginning to see the outlines of a new and much tougher Clinton than is commonly thought. She would arm the Kurds, something that should have been done when George H.W. Bush was President. Trump, for all his bluster, is weaker, and would let Russia and Syria wipe out moderate rebels while turning a blind eye to the war crimes.

It does appear to me that Clinton did a much more effective job of connecting with people in the town hall. But in the end, it was an ugly night giving one little reason to be optimistic. I am so disappointed that in a nation over 300 people strong, these are our two top choices.

64 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding Bernie? Trump blew Clinton out of the water in every aspect of the debate. Especially subjects of substance such as the economy and foreign policy.

Hillary has nothing except more of the same that what we have had to suffer with since 2008. Her 1990s ideas aren't going to work today.

Bernie O'Hare said...

If you are already a big Trump supporter, this was a great night for him. What you are missing is what Hillary Clinton herself called the Trump effect. His blustering, bellicose and angry style turns many people off. He constantly interrupted and complained about the moderators. And what was with his stalking? Very bizarre.

Anonymous said...

Epic HRC fail. She spoke fluent moonbat and during her trouncing reverted to her Marxist core. In the intellectual elite circles HRC was destined to best Trump. She fell way short while Trump handily rebuffed the bullying of the moderators. Time for HRC to get more rest and take more meds.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, what hope has America after this election? Trump will no doubt lose and lose very big. He doesn't even represent much of the Republican Party. As bad a candidate as Hillary Clinton is she will trounce him in the general election.

What will some of these far out Trumpets do? I mean you guys are living in another reality and I don't know how you will handle the coming reality check of the election.

I am really curious about how your many super Trump supporter readers will handle a Trump Loss and Clinton win?

Anonymous said...

It was really, REALLY gratifying, almost to the point of tears, to see somebody get really serious with these evil SOBs. And finally, someone had the presence of mind to tell viewers that they could go online and find some of the crap that the media has been hiding from them about both Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Trump also told Americans that, if elected, he would not let these crooks off Scott-free and appoint a Special Prosecutor to look into the actions of Hillary Clinton might also be worth a few points in the polls. I contend that this rattled Hillary Clinton so much that she lost it for the rest of the debate. I don't know what will happen but I am sure that she's frightened to death about the prospect of being held accountable for her actions and behavior.

Seeing career politicians answer for their sins is every American's secret wish. I contend that the desperation coming out of her in the next few days will result in a huge number of negative television ads, and perhaps more audio tor video tapes "leaked" by her sympocants in the media trying to turn the tables again for her.

We've seen enough of your krap Hillary, we're on to you.

Good job, Mr. Trump. There's more work to be done.

Anonymous said...

The political haters, both democratic and republican were ready to drag trumps dead political carcass around the streets of St. Louis, they were sorely disappointed. Love him or hate him political professionals, even if they will not admit it, have a new found respect for trumps strong steadfastness. There are not many people who could have dealt with that onslaught before 80 million people.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I have no new-found respect for him. I thought he was a bully before the debate and think more so now.

Anonymous said...

About Fuckint Time...

Finally someone talks to the Clintons like they need to be talked to and about.

Finally someone goes to their victims and not to them (the Clintons).

Finally someone talks about giving us hope for their justice. I want all the money in the Clinton Foundation stripped from their control. All of it. I want 98% given to charity and 2% for the administrator; instead of the exact opposite.

I want every thing the Clinton's have done to be exposed and prosecuted if what they did was against the law.

I want everything those in Washington have done that is like the Clintons to be exposed and prosecuted; from government credit card abuse to John Kerry's daughter's getting the $9 million from the state department for the charity Hillary started in Mr. Kerry's home.

I want 50 special prosecutors. I want every single issue of cash for access, waste, fraud, abuse, pay for play, bribing, and prostitution of US policy, and the careless handling of classified information, and the careless prosecution of the careless handling of classified information to be fully prosecuted.

Anonymous said...

How does a President order a federal prosecutor to put someone in jail? Is this America with a constitution and legal process or a banana republic run by Generalissimo Trump?

The dumbing down of America is more frightening than any Russian missiles.

Dave said...

@5:27 Many Americans believe that there was never a serious investigation by the FBI into Hillary Clinton's server, her having classified information outside of official government control and the numerous reasons she has stated in public for her use of unapproved electronic devices, such as personal cellphones and such while Secretary of State.

What the investigation as reported by FBI Director Comey looks like was a similar FBI investigation by Acting Director L. Patrick Gray with regards to the charges leveled against President Nixon in 1973 in which the FBI failed to find any indications of criminal activity against Nixon. Both of these investigations appeared to the public as political whitewashes.

It was, in fact, the outrage from what was found by Senator Sam Erwin's Watergate Committee in 1973, that led to the first Special Prosecutor to investigate President Nixon and to review the FBI investigation as well.

Now, four decades later, the same suspicion of a whitewash against Hillary Clinton has again arisen. Just as President Nixon stated that "he welcomed this type of investigation, the American people have a right to know if their President is a crook"; today, the same holds true for Hillary Clinton.

America has a right to know if their President (if she is elected) is a crook.

We want a fair, unbiased, and independent investigation. Not one tainted by promises of immunity, evidence destroyed by the FBI, and secret meetings on airport ramps.

Let the chips fall where they may.

Robert Trotner said...

All Donald's supporters on this page are in extreme denial. They picked an incredibly flawed candidate and refuse to admit he's a walking time bomb.

Robert Trotner said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

@6:04 Mr Trump does not blame Abraham Lincoln for lying.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Trump's supporters are thrilled with his performance. The brilliant deal-maker sealed the deal. Until the first debate, I was concerned the low-information voters out there could actually make a contest out of the election. I'll bet Hillary wishes there were a debate each night on TV.

Anonymous said...

Obama has already turned a blind eye to war crimes in Aleppo. He's already ceded control of the region to Russia. The eighties called and want their foreign policy back.

Anonymous said...

just grab her pussy and vote Trump

Anonymous said...

Trump's banana-republic vision for America: Jail political opponents. Just like his bro-buddy, Putin.

Anonymous said...

One can tell Hillary's supporters by the low-information posts they manage to generate. Crude, insulting and probably took a lot of their effort for their minds to think of coordinate their fingers to type.

Anonymous said...

I don't know what medications your taking Bernie, but you sure didn't see the same debate I did. Clearly, Trump was spinning his A-game and Hillary was flustered by the end. Even better, the cigar chomping "Slick Willie" did not look happy with Paula and company in the crowd!

Ms. Clinton offered nothing new and reminded us that the failed POLICIES of the Obama administration will be continued under her leadership. She'll make Jimmy Carter look great!

As a registered independent, I'm looking for a change in the Washington D.C. establishment. Hillary offers nothing! Yes "the Donald" is sometimes blustery, bullish and over-handed, however, he offers change from the political establishment that currently permeates in Washington. We don't need a President who is anti-law enforcement, a failure in foreign policy, a proven liar, subversive and who flagrantly violates the law.

Anonymous said...

Hillary's body language involuntarily signaled when she was really upset with what Trump was saying about her. Despite her put-on smile for public consumption. While sitting, she dropped her eyes, looked away to her right and moved her hand in the same direction as if she was not listening and per-occupied

Anonymous said...

Spin away... Trump was the alpha in the room. The flies have voted.

Anonymous said...

Lock Her Up

Anonymous said...

Same go down with the ship Trumpions filling the datasphere.

Trump needed to get the voters pulled from Clinton. Those who are only voting for her on "the lesser of two evils" theory. I'm one of those. His blatant attempt at trying to achieve that end by calling her "devil" was an epic fail and I saw it as, Pot calling Kettle.

IMO, there are very few true undecided voters this late in the game. Not enough to swing the election, certainly. If people haven't made up their mind about which candidate should be President after months of primaries and the chosen candidates positions, true and false statements, past history, and all the other information, then they are idiots (no matter who they vote for).

Spin it as you want, but Trump's wandering over and standing behind Clinton was a planned tactic aimed at throwing her off and intimidating her. She wasn't either of those and I thought she handled it in the best manner. She ignored it, making him seem like some kind of stalker, or needful of always being on camera.

I not expecting the last debate to offer any new revelations or surprises. Clinton will continue to stay her course and Trump will do his best to control himself.

My prediction is a resounding win for Clinton, only because of the Republican candidate pitted against her. Her winning, only because people hope the GOP will offer something better than "The Donald" in 4 years.

Anonymous said...

Being a conservative republican, I have never voted for a democrat in my long life, but now I have no choice. I will be voting for a democrat for the first time, by voting for Dougherty for the 15th Congressional district.

Jamie Kelton said...

I believe that your subject for this discussion was that the debate did little to inspire undecided voters. While not commenting on what others have already said here, I believe that it was Trump's statement that if elected, he would appoint a special prosecutor to review the FBI's investigation of her which may do just that.

This statement, which I noticed he didn't state right away and appeared to have had some thoughts before saying it, reminded the public that there was the appearance of unprofessional activity between the Obama Administration, Bill Clinton and James Comey with regards to the FBI investigation and subsequent decision not to convene a Grand Jury to decide if there was significant evidence to charge her with criminal activity. This statement by Trump labeled her as worthy of criminal prosecution and not outside of the law as both the Clintons have a history of appearing to be over the past 25 years.

This is what the American people were wanting to hear, and perhaps it did inspire undecided voters if nothing else. The appearance of having justice for the Clintons and justice for everyone else just strikes a raw nerve in people, and goes against our principle of everyone being equal under the law.

Anonymous said...

"Jamie",

Is an admission that one has sexually assaulted women worthy of investigation and prosecution?

Anonymous said...

LVL and Molovinsky's blog are filled with men and some women dismissing this pesky 'locker room talk' that apparently I am the only male in the world to never have been exposed to.

Interestingly enough, the Justice Department calls it something else....

"The Justice Department defines sexual assault as “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/10/09/anderson-cooper-told-trump-that-is-sexual-assault-the-justice-department-agrees/

The self proclaimed 'law and order' candidate needs to present himself for questioning, and the filing of charges.

Jamie Kelton said...

@9:35. I believe Mr Trump has apologized for the statement he made about women.

I do not believe that Mr Clinton has either apologized or faced criminal charges for the women he may or may not sexually assaulted. Nor has Hillary Clinton apologized for her actions against the women which her husband may or may not have assaulted either.

I believe it was Hillary Clinton herself who said that all rape victims should be believed.

Anonymous said...

He can apologize all he wants, he admitted to sexually assaulting women, which is a felony.

Should he be investigated and prosecuted?

It's a simple question, yes or no?

Anonymous said...



To sum up Hillary's 30+ year career in "public service?":

1. Hanging around (defending Bill, NY Senate).

2. Traveling thousands of miles (at taxpayers expense) peddling her influence at every opportunity (Sect of State).

3. Getting Americans and others killed by making poor decisions ( Sect of State).

4. Compromising National security using a unsecured mail server (Sect of State).

5. Lying to Congress and the American people (too many times to keep track of).

6. Trying to outsmart a successful American business tycoon (failed bid for presidency, hopefully).

Anonymous said...

I almost choked last night when Hillary said "I respect the Second Amendment." That was perhaps the biggest lie of the night. And then she went on to say that one of the things she wants to do is to "close the gun show loophole," which does NOT exist.

There is no such thing and if I had been Trump on that stage last night, I would have immediately asked Hillary: "Have you - Hillary Clinton - ever been to a gun show?"

We are being lied to big time by Hillary Clinton. If she is elected the next President, America is going to be in deep, deep trouble. Hillary didn't forget The Constitution, Hillary will complete the dismantling of The Constitution that her predecessor started and she has the Second Amendment square in her sights.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Hillary is having second thoughts about how smart it was to get NBC to slime Trump right before the debate with that locker room tape last week.

Remember, she never went up against an intelligent white man. Her shortcomings and weaknesses are so very apparent.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

That desperate friary ambush of Trump lasted in the voters minds about 24 hours.
Not what will the Democrats do?

Citizen of Allentown said...

The only logical reason to vote for Trump would be if you were an anarchist. Just wanting the whole system to come crashing down. But, some of us have kids and are not rich enough to have our own "panic" shelter. Under Hillary you will get the same old crap, but if Trump gets in: at best you get India, a .001 fraction of Incredibly Mega Rich mixed within a population of poop in the water you drink poor or worst case scenario, Kosavo. Either way the price of guns and ammo are gonna go up.

Bernie O'Hare said...

10:31, if you want to "guess" about what a candidate is saying, post it on your Facebook page, not here.

Bernie O'Hare said...

10:28, unlike you, I happen to think it is highly newsworthy when there is evidence, in his own words, that a presidential candidate is bragging about sexual assault, and using vulgarities, too. Instead of feeling even the slightest twinge of remorse, you
Claim Clinton fed this story to the press even though nothing backs you up. In short, you lie. This is completely reckless and is why you won't sign your name. I don't care who you support, but this blog does not exist for you to spread lies.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Also what difference does the color make, unless you are a bigot on top of a liar.

Anonymous said...

We should all be kind to Hillary supporters. After being rattled by her abysmal performance in the debate last night, Wikileaks has released more emails about her. They have a lot to be upset about.

Anonymous said...

Trump’s Second Debate, in Brief (NY Times) - David Leonhardt 10/10/2016

He lied about a sex tape.

He lied about his lies about ‘birtherism.’

He lied about the growth rate of the American economy.

He lied about the state of the job market.

He lied about the trade deficit.

He lied about tax rates.

He lied about his own position on the Iraq War, again.

He lied about ISIS.

He lied about the Benghazi attack.

He lied about the war in Syria.

He lied about Syrian refugees.

He lied about Russia’s hacking.

He lied about the San Bernardino terrorist attack.

He lied about Hillary Clinton’s tax plan.

He lied about her health care plan.

He lied about her immigration plan.

He lied about her email deletion.

He lied about Obamacare, more than once.

He lied about the rape of a 12-year-old girl.

He lied about his history of groping women without their consent.

Finally, he broke with basic democratic norms and called on his political opponent to be jailed — because, in large part, of what he described as her dishonesty.

Yes, virtually every politician, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and George W. Bush, strays from the truth at times. To be fair, virtually every human being does. But Trump is fundamentally different.

His gamble is plain enough: He believes he can fool a lot of the American people a lot of the time. He has decided that lying pays.

It’s up to the rest of us to show him otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Behind all of this, Hillary and her campaign staff are giddy as children Christmas morning with the "gift that keeps on giving" - Trump's crude past. Hillary is a badly flawed candidate, so kicking Trump to the gutter week after week is the only way she can win. The mainstream media, especially the Washington Post are "all in" as being an arm of Hillary's campaign. They will continue to dig up as much dirt as they can on Trump, to divert independent voters from Hillary's own dismal record as First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State. She is untrustworthy and entrenched in "pay to play" politics. This was the election for an outsider to rock the establishment. But Trump's persona, which has endeared him with millions of passionate voters, is turning off more and more "undecided" voters. If Hillary is elected, it will be by default.

Anonymous said...

Yawwwwnnnnnnnnn Cutting and pasting isn't going to work 3:03, sorry. Come up with something original if your mind is intelligent enough to do so.

Anonymous said...

the next debate is foreign policy. There is nothing defensible in the Obama Clinton record. Trump should be able to steamroller her on this one

Anonymous said...

Now, the Democrats are changing tactics on Bill's bad behavior. They have switched from blaming the women to claiming you cannot hold HRC responsible for Bill's disgusting behavior.

However, I believe the Clintons have said 2 for the price of 1 previously. Hillary already talked about putting Bill in charge of the economy, do you believe Bill will not have a major part in the decisions made?

Anonymous said...

3.20
yes trumpie can talk about running a protection racket with our allies.(hey Japan nice country there pony up or bad things might happen to you)
donnie can explain why we have nuclear weapons and not use them.
trump can explain how he knows more then the generals and hint of a super secret plan to solve the world's problems.
trump is dangerous on foreign policy.

Anonymous said...

Curious 3:56 Would you be posting about her if she was a Hillary Clinton supporter?

Anonymous said...

One thing is clear, the Media loathes Trump

It seems that he goes down in the polls after things like this. Wonder if there is a cause and effect relationship ?

Anonymous said...

The above accusation posted anonymously, of course. Tell us more about the "white tea party dude", whoever you are 5:36.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure if all these 2-on-1 debates featuring Monica Lewinsky's ex-boyfriend's wife and the moderator in a tag-team match versus "The Donald" are doing anybody any favors, particularly the allegedly "objective" Media, itself.

Anonymous said...

6.25
well donnie could do himself a favor and shut up when other people have their turn to speak.
guess donnie does not have the ability to act Presidential.
why anyone would think Fox news is in the tank for Hillary is just shocking.
maybe someone should talk to roger ailes and --oops why did he leave?

Anonymous said...

Please state Hillary Clinton's accomplishments after all these years as a public servant. Please note that the question is about Clinton's accomplishments and Clinton's accomplishments only (if there are any to speak of, that is). Thank you in advance as your cooperation is most appreciated.

Anonymous said...

@7:16
Ok I'll take a shot at it:

She successfully deleted 33,000 emails that were under subpoena and got away with it. That's all I got.

I'll take my prize now.

Anonymous said...

Hillary Clinton is well she is Hillary Clinton. Like most of our Presidents she has skeletons. That being said, how can anyone support Trump. He seemed like a breath of fresh air but it turns out the guy is a train wreak. He is a great con artist. He is an emotional nightmare. Sadly the choice is between two bad candidates. That may say more about all of us than the candidates. Still one will be President.

Trump has shown himself to be a big empty shell of bullshit and ego. The guy is a sad excuse of a Presidential candidate. He I snot even a real Republican.

Anonymous said...

Anon 7:16, she survived people like you for decades.

Thank you for my prize in advance.

Anonymous said...

Lock her up

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
I just watched this debate and both had the toilet brigaide and the floater swirl in full swing with the gloryhole gatherers working very hard on this one? I also seen the infamous shitfly on the forehead in the very begining of this episode 2, of which I am very sure you and the shitflay larva savior ron angle seen too?
America is in a world of shit as you also have previously created shitslinging stories about but have now chosen, I myself am still not buying into the false sack o shit sold by eithier?

REpublican redd
No party affiliation nor joining or traveling with the carnival circus with any other than listed above

Anonymous said...
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Bernie O'Hare said...

Please leave Sally Pritchard and Lee Snover out of this. You are just as vulgar as Trump.

Anonymous said...

"He I snot" --- Okay, whatever you say there.

Anonymous said...

I think he meant he is snot. That would be accurate.

Anonymous said...

You left out Mussolini's promise to keep the trains on time. It's unfortunate that the vessel for dissent is worse than the combined evils you describe.

Anonymous said...

Drump's schedule. 1. Grab some pussy. 2. Tell Putin it's ok to overrun Ukraine. 3. Grab a boob. 4. Tell Assad we have your back. Barrel bombs away. Work work work. 4. Grab some pussy. Thank god for stamina.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you are OK with any comment under the sun about Trump that includes the word p**sy, because it must be good for your ratings, but that you run and hide and delete benign questions about your "alliance" with Justin Simmons that is for some reason is off limits. Delete it quickly Bernie. "Your own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine".....unless they call into question the ethical dilemma I'm in....free speech or home cooking??

Bernie O'Hare said...

Cuckoo!