Donald Trump may have started strongly in the first 20 minutes or so of the first presidential debate Monday night, but by the end of the 90-plus-minute talkfest, Hillary Clinton was deemed the winner, one news network’s poll found.
Clinton garnered 62 percent of viewers’ approval, according to a CNN poll of voters. Just 27 percent of viewers thought Trump won the debate.
But amid the personal attacks and nonstop interruptions, it appeared that neither candidate put their best foot forward.
While each took expected jabs at each other, issues such as Clinton’s email debacle and Trump’s perceived disconnect with the black community were virtually left by the wayside.
A somewhat skittish Trump was criticized for being baited by Clinton into exchanges about his taxes and business record, while proving lackluster when it came to policy discussions. Clinton came off to some as canned and overly rehearsed, without clearly projecting her vision for the presidency.
Despite his assertion that Clinton lacks the stamina to be president, Trump’s physical tics were noticeable as the night wore on, sniffling repeatedly and taking numerous sips from a glass of water
The next presidential debate takes place Oct. 9 in St. Louis.