* A debate to help determine the leader of the Free World: Too bad it’s more show than showdown. Why not a chair for Hillary Clinton and a bar stool for the smirking Donald (“You’d be in jail.”) Trump. His unpresidential body language fit his celebrity-buffoon caricature, but the hulking, stalking style that had him intruding into the Clinton-response TV frame was downright creepy at times. And the sniffling and snorting was weird.
Remember how Al Gore was criticized for trying to upstage and intimidate George W. Bush in their 2000 debate by leaving his chair and sauntering over into Bush’s space while “W” answered a question? However highlighted over the years, it was a one-time, Candid Camera misstep–hardly a character extension.
* It takes two to have a debate. It takes one to have a show. When the accused pivots to ISIS beheadings 15 seconds into a robotic apology about being a sexual predator, you know the diversionary tactics have already kicked in.
* The bar is low, possibly subterranean, for Trump in debates. He dropped in “carried interest” and “Mosul” and got credit for strong moments.
* The intimate live audience, which included Bill Clinton accusers Paula Jones, Juanita Broaddrick and Kathleen Wiley, was largely comprised of “undecideds.” How, frankly, is that possible three weeks out from an election featuring the most polarizing pairing in the history of presidential races? Or maybe it’s a way of working your way into a network focus group or televised town hall.
* The debate format still needs work. An audible, wrap-it-up signal with, say, 15-seconds remaining for a response would be helpful. As would an automatic mic shut-off. A candidate shouldn’t be able to bully his way into extra time, especially when it’s likely to result in more bar stool samples aimed at the opponent, the moderators or the media in general.
* Whatever Trump does or doesn’t do in a debate–or anywhere anytime–will not change anything with his deplorable, “Lock her up!” base. Fortunately, that’s not enough to win an election–especially with Trump already underperforming with college-educated GOPsters, most notably women.
* Trump is Trump. But is nothing beneath Rudy Giuliani, who keeps doubling down on being Trump’s pimp?