The Second Presidential Debate What You Should Know

The Second Presidential Debate What You Should Know Photo Credit: theintercept.com 1. No sportsmanship awards for Clinton or Trump. Perhaps a foreshadowing of the night to come, Clinton and Trump didnt shake hands before the debate, which is tradition, as they did in the first presidential debate. At the end of the nights debate though, the two did shake hands. 2. Trump tries to divert attention away from his vulgar comments about women on a 2005 recording that surfaced and over to Bill Clinton. Before the presidential debate started, Trump held a press conference with three women: Paula Jones, Juanita Broaddrick, and Kathleen Wiley, who have accused former president Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct and one woman, Kelly Shelton, who was raped at age 12 and had her alleged attacker represented by Hilary Clinton. What Trump said in 2005 amounts to claims that his fame basically allows him to sexually assault women yet he tried to downplay his words as locker room talk but make Bill Clinton out to be a much worse guy. After trying to dismiss some of the tape and shirk his responsibility to own up to his words, Trump did admit that hes embarrassed by it and claimed that no one has more respect for women than he does. (Proof of that, anyone?) 3. Trump makes snarky comments. Adding to the tension of the night, Trump calls Clinton the devil, and made some snarky comments that were very middle school-esque. After Clinton said its just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump isnt in charge of the law in this country, Trump snarked Because youd be in jail. Trump also accused Clinton of having hate in her heart and attacking the women Bill Clinton was abusive to. 4. Clinton missteps by bringing Abraham Lincoln into the debate. After part of a paid speech leaked last week, Clinton tried to clear the air by bringing Abraham Lincoln into the debate to explain how a president can have two different sides to them. Clinton attempted to use Lincoln as an example of having both a public and private position on issues, as Lincoln used varying methods and arguments on different lawmakers to abolish slavery. Clinton didnt exactly succeed here and Trump managed to capitalize on that, saying She lied, and now shes blaming the lie on the late great Abraham Lincoln. Honest Abe never lied; thats the big different between Abraham Lincoln and you. 5. Trumps rampant false claims continue. Continuing his streak, as in the first debate, Trump made many inaccurate and false claims, which were fact-checked not in his favor. Claims by Trump about taxes, Syria, healthcare, the Iraq war, Sheltons rape case, trade deficits, refugees, and more, during the second presidential debate were all proven wrong, and while Clinton herself did perhaps make a few misleading comments, Trump outdid himself and her in stating false facts. 6. Trump seemingly abandons VP candidate and running mate Mike Pence. During last weeks vice presidential debate, Trumps running mate Mike Pence took a hard stance on Russia breaking with Trumps policy on Syria   and threatened the use of force by the U.S. if Russia and Syria continued to bomb civilians. During the presidential debate, Trump threw Pence under the bus by disagreeing with him and stating he didnt have the same position as Pence, saying He and I havent spoken, and I disagree. Instead, Trump continued to defend Russia, claiming theyre bombing ISIS. 7. OK kids, lets go around the room and everyone say something nice about each other. To end the night, Karl Becker, a town hall participant, asked the final question and it was quite the change in pace. Becker asked if either of the candidates would name one positive things that they respect in one another. Clinton answered first, saying I respect his children. His children are incredibly able and devoted and I think that says a lot about Donald. She did also slip in that she doesnt agree with everything he says or does but she respects that and as a mother and grandmother, the abilities and dedication of his children is very important. Trump then returned the compliment, saying, She doesnt quit and doesnt give up. I respect that She is a fighter, before also stating that he disagrees with much of what shes fighting for and her judgement in many cases, though overall the fact that she fights hard and doesnt give up is a good trait. So both managed to make genuine compliments about the other to end the night while also stating their disagreements with the others actions and words. Nice try, Becker you almost pulled it off. The third and final presidential debate will take place on Wednesday, October 19, at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.