Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

alcibiades_mystery

(36,437 posts)
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 11:25 AM Oct 2016

I think Clinton has a tough task tonight

It's really the debate format that makes it difficult. If Trump goes full on "Bill Clinton cross-examination," Secretary Clinton is put in the position of either ignoring it or defending him. She could do either very well in a dual podium format, but in a town hall, it's somewhat harder to run either line without looking on the back foot. I think she should immediately pivot to issues whenever Trump tries to drag it there, but I can see how that might also look bad, especially if Trump is playing off an audience question that seems to be going unanswered.

I should say that I don't think the debates will matter that much, and I am confident that Clinton is an exemplary debater, who is prepared as usual. But I see advantages for Trump going mad dog in this particular debate at this particular time. Needless to say, it's also possible that Trump either melts down completely or so overplays a hand that he crashes and burns utterly.

29 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I think Clinton has a tough task tonight (Original Post) alcibiades_mystery Oct 2016 OP
She's got this. She'll be ready. spooky3 Oct 2016 #1
Nah, if anything Trump is making it easy for her BlueWarrior Oct 2016 #2
Oh PLEASE!!! she's done hundreds of forums like this bigdarryl Oct 2016 #3
Trump will not limit himself to the format. Agnosticsherbet Oct 2016 #4
I think you are overestimating Trump. I think Hillary goes a little rope-a-dope. underpants Oct 2016 #5
trump's being accused of rape himself.. Cha Oct 2016 #19
That didn't matter to him underpants Oct 2016 #22
yeah, I know.. I have his number. just sayin Cha Oct 2016 #23
Trump has two options. Clinton needs none DFW Oct 2016 #6
Yes, and the format works for her. She talks to the Hortensis Oct 2016 #29
hillary has no problems with townhall format or personal attacks... beachbum bob Oct 2016 #7
Not at all. If Trump brings Bill Clinton into the picture all she has to say is Mr. Trump, You are still_one Oct 2016 #8
She's had decades to prepare for that relayerbob Oct 2016 #9
"Please proceed, Mr. Trump." lastlib Oct 2016 #21
Exactly. relayerbob Oct 2016 #28
My only concern about tonight is that the audience gets stacked with Trump supporters NoGoodNamesLeft Oct 2016 #10
lol Skoods Oct 2016 #16
Clearly Charlotte Little Oct 2016 #24
She will mop the floor with him True_Blue Oct 2016 #11
Clinton has to avoid passing out and burning the American flag on the stage. geek tragedy Oct 2016 #14
Bill Clinton is not running for president Dem2 Oct 2016 #17
Not as tough as it would have been without Friday's bombshell wishstar Oct 2016 #18
Have you ever attended a demolition derby? That's all Trump has left because he's been demolished. Coyotl Oct 2016 #20
K&R Charlotte Little Oct 2016 #25
I think she will slam dunk the guy. louis-t Oct 2016 #27
Dec 1969 #
Dec 1969 #
Dec 1969 #

underpants

(182,769 posts)
5. I think you are overestimating Trump. I think Hillary goes a little rope-a-dope.
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 11:32 AM
Oct 2016

There is nothing in Trump's history that suggests he softens or really apologizes. Roy Cohen taught him - threaten intimidate always attack and always declare victory - and he still follows it.

Hillary can let him flail away. She will have retorts but for the most part I think she stays calm and connects to the audience and viewers. I won't be surprised if she has another Miss Universe card to play tonight either.

Trump is going to bring up rape tonight. He directs and reflects his followers and for the last 2 days on Facebook and elsewhere they have been screaming RAPE in every post. I won't be surprised if it actually is worked into a question from the audience tonight, if not Trump is bringing it up.

underpants

(182,769 posts)
22. That didn't matter to him
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 01:24 PM
Oct 2016

Nothing. Alters to him but him. He does exist in any form of reality. People keep applying history logic human emotions to him, that's a mistake.

Cha

(297,149 posts)
23. yeah, I know.. I have his number. just sayin
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 01:29 PM
Oct 2016

I hope he hoists himself so much on his own petard tonight! Like last time only exponentially worse.

DFW

(54,343 posts)
6. Trump has two options. Clinton needs none
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 11:33 AM
Oct 2016

Trump can be contrite and subdued, or he can be the attacking pit bull and do what he likes to do. Trump number one will bore and disappoint, Trump number two will gross out the few people left who are actually open to an option. His hard core supporters are hoping he comes to the town hall armed and dangerous, and willing to use his artillery on camera like he mentioned all those months ago, so they don't figure into the equation.

Hillary Clinton only needs to keep her (very sharp) wit about her, nail Trump to the barn door with subtle humor and logic when she can, and just hold her own what there's no opening. Like has been mentioned earlier on this thread, she has been here before. This is not her first rodeo.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
29. Yes, and the format works for her. She talks to the
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 03:53 PM
Oct 2016

citizen asking a question, not to Trump. She can address or ignore his statements completely as she wishes.

 

beachbum bob

(10,437 posts)
7. hillary has no problems with townhall format or personal attacks...
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 11:36 AM
Oct 2016

all she needs is to do...is to have donald keep running his mouth on slut shaming....she has the zingers ready in this debate just like the first one....she will bait trump...she will inflame trump and she will do it very well

the man has no control and he keeps missing the point on how to campaign and debate to ATTRACT NEW voters...feeding the redmeat to his zealots is only an ego boost for trump and turns off the voters he needs most....

still_one

(92,136 posts)
8. Not at all. If Trump brings Bill Clinton into the picture all she has to say is Mr. Trump, You are
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 11:42 AM
Oct 2016

running for President of the United States of America. You entire campaign has been based on sexist and racist comments that are disgraceful for someone running for that office. You are NOT qualified to be President. Then she should proceed in her response to say how she will address the problems facing America by uniting people, not tearing them apart

relayerbob

(6,544 posts)
9. She's had decades to prepare for that
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 11:43 AM
Oct 2016

Anything Trump says will backfire, her best bet would be just let him dig a really deep hole and then bury him.

Or just say "Well, then it seems like it's time for a woman to be President."

 

NoGoodNamesLeft

(2,056 posts)
10. My only concern about tonight is that the audience gets stacked with Trump supporters
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 11:45 AM
Oct 2016

Who lie and say they are undecided. I hope the audience was vetted to make sure they are not nasty deplorables just pretending to be undecided.

Charlotte Little

(658 posts)
24. Clearly
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 01:37 PM
Oct 2016

...you've been watching another election in a parallel universe. And, clearly, you've never heard of Jerry Springer, let alone watched one of his shows.

Trump supporters would do anything to get into that Town Hall for the sole purpose of causing disruption. It's all they know how to do. They are too stupid for any tactic other than yell louder, push harder and burn the place down. That's their MO and that's Trump's MO.

And...that's not a conspiracy theory.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
14. Clinton has to avoid passing out and burning the American flag on the stage.
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 12:18 PM
Oct 2016

"I'm not going to debate my marriage, and I'm not going to address every discredited rumor about my husband. That's not what the voters care about, they want someone who will change the country for the better."

wishstar

(5,268 posts)
18. Not as tough as it would have been without Friday's bombshell
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 12:58 PM
Oct 2016

Trump had already gone haywire for days over Miss Universe and losing first debate and had already threatened to get nasty and revengeful by bringing up Bill. But now he has zero credibility- not a shred of moral high ground and only desperation

 

Coyotl

(15,262 posts)
20. Have you ever attended a demolition derby? That's all Trump has left because he's been demolished.
Sun Oct 9, 2016, 01:08 PM
Oct 2016

The far right tries to be subtle about this strategy, but too late in this case, subtlety won't suffice. The strategy, as clearly seen in Brazil's overthrow of democracy by propaganda and corruption, is to accuse your opponent of your own weaknesses. So, if you are corrupt and taking bribes, to immunize yourself from damage the truth might cause, you lie that your opponent is guilty of your sins aforehand. Simple Orwellian propaganda tactic, and if you control the media, it works very well, just ask the people of Brazil.

So this is Trump's tactic right now on Twitter, to burn down the house because he's already burned to a crisp. He will just propagate lies that Bill and Hillary are even worse than he is. But Hillary has so much horsepower right now, his gimping limo is doomed. Hillary can cite the long list of Republicans who have condemned Trump. Trump has no where to maneuver his stretch limo as Hillary bashes his fenders to a pulp, he owns his words and cannot escape them, the mic was that good.

What Hillary should do is focus on the House and the Senate, as if Trump isn't in the room any longer. She needs to proclaim that the way to make America greater is to get rid of gender inequality, sexual assaults, and rape culture, and one way to achieve real progress is to throw out the GrOPers.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»I think Clinton has a tou...