First Presidential Debate

Monday night’s presidential debate between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton was legendary. It broke the world record of the most watched debate in U.S. history, with an estimated audience of at least 84 million over the 13 channels it was live. This upcoming election in November is going to have every American at the edge of their seats. The election is going to prove more high stakes than the last, considering President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney’s first debate had 67 million viewers.

As of Monday night, Clinton has 44% of the votes, and Trump has 43%. At the start of the debate, Trump brought up the national debt problem, stating “America is being used as a piggy bank to rebuild China.” His plan is going to reduce taxes from 35% to 15%. He stayed on the topic of economics, saying “I have the biggest tax gut since Reagan”. Clinton brought up free healthcare, and paid maternity leave. She guarantees success under her plan, claiming “I will create 10 million jobs, and he is going to lose 30 million.”

During the tax segment, Clinton brought up that everyone who has run for president within the past 40 years has released their tax returns early on. In response to this, Trump said, “I will release my tax returns when you release your deleted emails.” The tension only increased from that point on. Farther along in the race segment, Trump stated that we need an increase in the “stop and frisk” approach. Hillary responded to his by stating, “We have to restore trust between communities, and we have to make sure police use force only when necessary.”

When asked who is behind cyber attacks, both candidates answered with Russia. Trump also claimed that he thinks it could be China. Clinton spoke of Trump, “He has said, repeatedly, that he doesn’t care if other nations have nuclear weapons, and he doesn’t care if other nations blow each other up.” While she was stating this, Trump disagreed. He believes he is a better fit for the presidency, “I have a much better temperament than she has.” He then later added, “I don’t believe Clinton has the stamina to be president.” They threw accusations and criticisms back and forth, and at the end of the debate, both candidates claim that they will support each other when they win.

Students at PSU have mixed views on the candidates. When asked who she thinks is the most qualified candidate, sophomore Elementary Education major Danielle McMenimen said, “Neither of them. I don’t like either and I don’t agree with what either of them are saying. I think Hillary is a criminal and Trump is ignorant.”

Freshman undeclared major Julia Mierzejewski answered, “I think Clinton is the most qualified because of her years in the government.” This election will be legendary because both candidates are promising very innovative reforms. It’s sure to be a groundbreaking election this fall.