As I watched the debate, I was mainly looking for two results.  The first result being a stronger motivation to vote for the republican candidate, Donald Trump, and the second being to see if Trump would behave in an eyebrow-raising manner.  As the debate drew to a close, the first result failed.  Trump still has not bought my full support, although he has my vote due to his place on the republican ticket.  His comments on international trade agreements, such as NAFTA and our business dealings with China, still cause me to doubt his promise to “make America great again.”  How can we bring these long lost manufacturing and industry jobs back to the States and still maintain a high standard of living we enjoy thanks to cheaply produced Mexican and Chinese goods?  There is no good answer; the issue was brought up, but not delved into during the debate.  Trump maintains his quasi-isolationist economic policy beliefs, which leave me unconvinced.  However, he did make agreeable points about our sometimes thankless role in international security.  Our 70% funding of NATO and expensive international presence does not provide a sustainable return on investment, and perhaps we should heed George Washington’s farewell address guidance of avoiding foreign entanglements.

On the other hand, the debate did deliver on heated, eyebrow-raising exchanges between Trump and Clinton.  Trump made repeated jabs at Clinton, often interrupting her and the moderator even by commenting “wrong” or “lies” when they were citing factual information, specifically regarding the discussion on stop and frisk, and Obama’s birth certificate.  He repeatedly criticized Clinton’s lack of producing results in the battle against ISIS and terrorism, as well as predictably bringing up her poor health and email scandal.  Clinton responded by bringing up Trumps history of insensitivity regarding race relations and feminism.  I have trouble trying to determine who I think won this debate.  Hillary Clinton played the role of the astute and careful politician as only she can, while Trump remained prickly, aggressive and sharp-tongued.  The contrast between the businessman and politician was visible during the debate, but neither seemed to distinguish themselves as the superior choice for President of the United States.