The First Presidential Debate
Topher De Hen
On Monday, September 26th, the first presidential debate occurred between Donald Trump (Republican) and Hillary Clinton (Democrat). The event took place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. The following article is a quick summary of the debate for those who have been keeping out of politics.
Trump continued to rail against NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), which he believes has destroyed our country’s economy. Trump also made clear his goal to place tariffs on all imported goods. Clinton responded by saying that tariffs increase the national debt, and she would like to see more green energy. Trump argued that green energy is too expensive and would cause more debt. He also said that if he were president, he would cut business taxes to help the economy. Clinton repeatedly emphasized her superior amount of political experience, pointing out that trade has increased since her time in the president’s cabinet.
Next, the candidates were asked to talk about taxes. Trump continued to restate his trickle-down economics plan; Clinton argued that taxing the rich is the best way to help the country. During this part, accusations about Trump allegedly refusing to pay taxes were exchanged; he did not deny the claims. Clinton also accused him of making money from the labor of small business owners. Trump responded that he was just a smart businessman.
Both candidates agreed that there are racial problems in the U.S. They also agreed that minority communities have been unfairly targeted in the past by police. The only true difference between their ideas was about the right to stop and frisk. Trump said that it was a police right and a way to protect citizens from gang violence, especially gangs that include illegal aliens. Clinton claimed that stopping and frisking was unconstitutional and that it often led to racial profiling.
Finally, the candidates talked about security. They agreed that people on no-fly lists should not be allowed to purchase guns. Clinton accused Trump of telling Russian hackers to penetrate our national security system, but he shot back that the missing emails from Clinton’s email server might have revealed national security secrets. Trump also did not believe that the U.S. should be the policeman of the world, and that countries we protect should pay us.
Many people say that Clinton won this debate with her typical politician attitude and collected thoughts. Trump, however, performed well by continuing to talk the entire time, preventing Clinton from speaking as much as she would have liked. Only time will tell who will win the 2016 election.
