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Trump v. Clinton: Round 3 in Vegas

Posted October 19th, 2016 at 2:33 pm (UTC-4)
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Las Vegas has been home to some of boxing’s most famous prize fights. It makes all the sense then that the final Clinton-Trump debate should take place there.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton following the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP)

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton following the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP)

Since the previous debate, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have more to answer for: emails WikiLeaks says was hacked from Clinton’s campaign chairman that include potentially embarrassing conversations about political strategy and texts of Clinton’s speeches to Wall Street bankers; and sexual assault accusations against Donald Trump by 10 women who came forward after Trump said his 2005 video recorded Access Hollywood conversation was just words, not actions.

Sitting ringside in Trump’s corner will be mother of a NAVY Seal stationed at the Benghazi embassy, who blames Clinton for her son’s death. President Obama’s Kenyan half-brother, Malik, will also be there at Trump’s invitation. Clinton invited a pair of titans of business, Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman and NBA team owner Mark Cuban, both vocal critics of Trump.

The two candidates come into this debate bloodied, but unbowed. This is their final chance to land a knockout blow.

Will Tonight’s Presidential Debate Be Another National Embarrassment?

Ryan Cooper – The Week

I expect to hear more of two things, both of which have barely been mentioned in the campaign thus far.

The first is austerity, which has gotten passing but not sustained attention in the presidential debates.

The second is the Supreme Court. Antonin Scalia is still dead, and his seat is still being held open by Senate Republicans, who refuse to grant a vote on President Obama’s nominee of Merrick Garland.

WikiHillary for President

Thomas Friedman – The New York Times

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, left, talks as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump watches her during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis,, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP)

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, left, talks as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump watches her during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis,, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP)

I confess, I was starting to wonder about what the real Hillary Clinton — the one you never get to see behind closed doors — really stood for. But now that, thanks to WikiLeaks, I’ve had a chance to peruse her speeches to Goldman Sachs and other banks, I am more convinced than ever she can be the president America needs today….

When I read WikiHillary, I hear a smart, pragmatic, center-left politician who will be inclined to work with both the business community and Republicans to keep America tilted toward trade expansion, entrepreneurship and global integration, while redoubling efforts to cushion workers from the downsides of these policies.

Fight Night: Trump Will Win the Third Debate. Will it Matter?

Joel B. Pollak – Breitbart

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump points at Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton as he speaks during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP)

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump points at Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton as he speaks during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP)

Trump will likely benefit from an “October surprise” of his own — namely, the release of videos by James O’Keefe’s Project Veritas that show high-level Democratic political consultants taking credit for inciting violence at Trump rallies over the past year….

Two other factors favor Trump. One is the continued presence of low expectations for Trump, which persist in spite of the fact that he out-boxed his rival at the second debate. The second is the fact that the moderator is Fox News’ Chris Wallace, who can be tough on Republicans at times, but is likely to be less intrusive and one-sided than any of the other moderators have been thus far.

The question is whether it will matter. Third debates, in general, provide opportunities for closing arguments — not fourth-quarter theatrics.

Clinton’s Unprecedented Debate Challenge

Aaron Kall – USA Today

Trump’s second debate performance demonstrated marked improvement and discipline. He stayed on the attack for most of the night and didn’t fade into the background. But Clinton came dangerously close to prematurely declaring victory instead of engaging Trump during several critical exchanges….

Clinton is a seasoned debate veteran with a meticulous practice regimen. Her performances this fall in both the traditional and town-hall formats suggest she’ll be in a solid position to withstand and rebuff even a kitchen sink from Trump….

Clinton must also be on guard for a Hail Mary of a completely different variety. Trump could announce he will serve as president for only a term…

In the Final Debate, the Candidates Ought to Answer Questions About Ideas

Michael Tanner – National Review

Is there anything that you think government should not do? Both of you have advocated a very expansive view of the role of government….Can either of you name something that, however desirable, is beyond the authority of government? Is there any area of our lives where government should simply leave us alone?

How would you pay for the unfunded liabilities of Social Security and Medicare?…Mr. Trump, you have said that you are opposed to making any changes to these programs. Secretary Clinton, you have actually called for increasing Social Security benefits and want to add people ages 55–65 to Medicare. How do you plan to pay for these programs going forward?

This campaign has deeply divided the American people. How would you bring us back together and unite the country?

A pedestrian walks past the site for the third presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at UNLV in Las Vegas, Oct. 18, 2016. (AP)

A pedestrian walks past the site for the third presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at UNLV in Las Vegas, Oct. 18, 2016. (AP)

Seven Foreign Policy Questions that Won’t Be Asked in the Last Presidential Debate

E.A. Crunden, Esther Yu Hsi i Lee, Justin Salhani & Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani – Think Progress

The United States bombed Yemen last week. North Korea is testing ballistic missiles. Haiti is devastated from the effects of Hurricane Matthew. And the Syrian and Libyan civil wars are stretching into their sixth year, creating an unprecedented refugee crisis.

The last presidential debate on Wednesday includes “foreign hot spots” as a debate topic, and it’s one of the last chances Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have to offer the American public their foreign policy visions.

What will the U.S. role in the rest of the world be under the next Commander-in-Chief? How will they deal with some of the most pressing conflicts today?

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