Hempstead, New York – Both sides in the US presidential campaign claimed their candidate outperformed the other in Monday’s debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
“I think there was only one commander-in-chief on the stage tonight. It was Hillary Clinton,” said Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon. “Within the first 30 minutes or so it was clear that Donald Trump was becoming unhinged in front of the American people’s eyes, but it only got worse for him in the latter two-thirds of the debate.”
Fallon said the debate would give the Clinton campaign “a big shot of momentum,” though not in the polls.
Republican Donald Trump speaks during the first presidential debate with Democrat Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University in Hempstead in New York on September 26, 2016. (Credit Image: © Qin Lang/Xinhua via ZUMA Wire)
“This is a very tight contest and probably will remain (so) throughout (the rest of the campaign). That is just the nature of the country right now. It is just very polarized. But I think this was an eye-opener for a lot of the people that were tuning in for the first time. He gave a lot of evidence tonight that he is not fit to pursue the presidency.”
Trump’s campaign used Twitter to issue its response:
“Tonight’s #Debates2016 made it clear, only one candidate is for the American people, and that’s @realDonaldTrump. #TrumpIsWithYou #MAGA”
The Trump campaign also issued a statement by former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani:
“Tonight’s debate was a great victory for Mr Trump. During the debate, Mr Trump showed the type of Reagan-esque leadership and vision this nation needs right now. Mr Trump’s performance was in sharp contrast to Hillary Clinton, who showed as much ignorance to the law as she has with foreign policy.
-dpa
