Clinton: a slim points win

The markets are everything and within minutes of the end of the Trump-Clinton presidential debate the global markets had decided that Mrs Clinton had edged it — just. Neither candidate had a knock-out punch and there were few moments that will play on endless loops embedded in chat and analysis programmes the world over. Neither candidate lost their equilibrium, though Mr Trump looked decidedly flaccid towards the end compared to the fresh-as-a-daisy Mrs Clinton, and the spin doctors of both camps declared a win for themselves. By no stretch of the imagination was the debate a game changer for both sides and the vexed question of whether or not debates such as this influence — or do not — the average voter remains open.



Where Mr Trump was strong was in the first 30 minutes when he lambasted Mrs Clinton on a slew of free trade agreements that to say the least did little for America, but that was his high point. Issues which he might have skewered her on — she was vulnerable on the email brouhaha — he failed to exploit and she anyway dismissed somewhat airily parrying with his failure to release his tax returns and the eternally-embarrassing ‘birther’ issue. The strength of the Trump campaign both in its candidate and its origins lies in a widespread and deep disillusionment with mainstream politics and politicians in the US. Unconventional as he may be Mr Trump is for the first time, possibly ever in America, an alternative to the polished and Teflon-coated career politician as exemplified by Mrs Clinton. He plays well to an angry and many would argue marginalised primarily white group that are poor, often jobless or in low-paid work and who do not see themselves represented in the corridors of power. Deeply flawed he may be but so is Mrs Clinton herself, neither the perfect choice for arguably the most important — and difficult — job in the world, the Presidency of the United States of America. The markets may like Mrs Clinton today but the people may like Mr Trump even better on Tuesday November 8^th. In finest show-biz traditions this one really is a cliffhanger.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2016.

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